Miralax is now OTC - Pain Management Message Board

Kissa · 03-17-2007, 11:29 AM

I know most of us if not all suffer from extreme constipation. I have tried everything OTC and even the recipe that has been shared here, nothing works because I also have IBS and Colitis to add into the mix.

My doctor prescribed 17mgs of Miralax on a daily basis and I have no problems at all. If anything my stools are overly soft so my doctor has me mainting with half the dosage on a dialy basis. Lord forbid I miss a dose though! I've been on it for over 6 months or so now. It has no taste to it and I generally mix mine with my coffee in the morning so I don't forget to take it.

I saw a commercial on TV the other day that Miralax is now available over the counter. I have no clue what the cost will be or what the suggested dosage will be but it is a very effective product for those who have Narcotic Induced Constipation.

It might be worth a try for those who have not had any good results with other products on the market. You could also probably talk to your doctor about it as well in case the OTC is not as strong. I have a 20% co pay and the generic version costs me $5 for a month and a half supply. It's a HUGE bottle!

Barbie

Sammiejoe · 03-17-2007, 06:44 PM

Thanks Barbie...I wanted to ask my doc about Miralax after one of your past post about it, but, I didn't get around to it. I'm going to get the OTC brand and see if I get the same good results as you.

mysticohl · 03-28-2007, 04:09 AM

Hi, can you tell me more about Miralax? I am quite health concious and don't really care for pills to make me poop. But I have had my own ordeals with constipation and stomach aches, etc, for years. The dr. gave me some...ugh, I can't remember the name of it now. Had a Z in it. Zelnorm, that's it. Anyway, it scared me because it made me dizzy after going to the bathroom and I read some bad things about it. Like I said, I don't really like taking meds. I do when I have to though.

Can you tell me side effects you may have had or dependency issues, etc. with the Miralax? Is it more fiber or meds? Can you use it long term, as in everyday for life if needed? Any cramping or gas? How fast does it work for you?

Thanks, I appreciate any info you can give me!! =)

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Nu2patch · 03-28-2007, 06:13 AM

Hi all and wow!

Ive been having a little problem with the "c" for a few days because of the extra iron on top off everything else i have to take. Anyhow ive read about the MiraLax on here and tonight when i went to the store to find some relief, low and behold there it was, i saw it just as i was gonna go ask the pharmacist for it. I got it at target for $4.49, i couldnt beleive the price, so cheap. It is a 7 day supply and 17grams. On the bottle it says NEW and Original prescription strength. Im gonna start tommorrow so ill let u all know how it goes lol. I didnt start tonight because i had already taken something else and didnt want to over do it.

Im so glad i found this board and u all seem so nice. Cross ur fingers for me lol.
Gentle hugs,
Nu2patch

Kissa · 03-28-2007, 11:39 AM

It wouldn't have hurt to take both as I do it often as presribed by the doctor when on extra iron because it does take several days to take effect. When on a daily dose, forgive me for being gross, my stools are about the consistancy of soft ice cream (bet you'll never eat chocolate ice cream again LOL). This is why he has me down to about half the dosage for a more formed stool.

Yes it is safe to take every day. I honestly don't know what the compound is, but I do not believe it's fiber based. It is intended for those with IBS and Colitis but is also used for Narcotic Induced Constipation. Melnorm is not a safe drug, there was a report on it recently, wish I could recall where I saw it. They used to allow men to take it but put a stop to it for some reason too.

It says on the bottle to not take for more than 2 weeks. my Gastro doctor and my primary doctor have had me on it for almost a year now without issue. I have read in many other places of children and adults being on it long term due to IBS or Colitis.

If I miss a dose the next day my stool is more normal, if I miss two doses things become a bit hard, if I miss 3 doses it's enema time. I ran out once over a weekend and so couldn't call the doctor. Big mistake, I will never do that again.

I'm not sure how it will work for others because I have IBS and Colitis but I know it gets the job done just from stories I've read in other places. I get a bit of gas and then feel a pressure and then use the restroom. There are no cramps. One day I accidently took a double dose because I forgot and ended up with cramps and diahreah but that was the only time.

Now my husband had to drink the entire bottle for a colonoscopy, the small bottle that you purchased, and he was on the toilet within 30 minutes. Of course folks like us need a daily maintenance medication so we only take what is suggested. Never take more than suggested and keep up with it daily. Don't miss a dose unless you stools are too soft I would think.

If you have prescription insurance it might be cheaper than buying it OTC because you'll get the large bottle which is 527 grams total. I would talk to your doctor about it. I get the generic version but it's all the same, at least for this specific product.

I've tried every OTC product with no effect at all. Everyone on the back board swears by colace and I was taking 4 pills a day (doctor's orders) with NO effect as well as up to 30 mg of natural fiber each day. When my morphine was increased was when the big problems came and my colon ceased to function and constipation became a serious problem, that's when I was placed on the Miralax and it's been a great product for me ever since.