Are you tired of constipation and now MiraLAX isn’t even working for you? Well, sometimes laxatives don’t work the way they should but that doesn’t mean you start to play the laxative roulette and keep on using alternatives. MiraLAX is one of the top-rated laxatives for occasional constipation, however, it might not work in the same way for some people.
So, how come MiraLAX isn’t working?
Well, there could be multiple reasons for the malfunctioning of the osmotic laxative. While taking MiraLAX, your diet should be your main focus as any abnormality in it might become an obstacle to the functioning of the drug. Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating high-fiber food is very important for the efficient working of MiraLAX.
In this write-up, you’ll learn all about MiraLAX, why it doesn’t work, and what to do if it stops working. So, to learn all that, read on.
Never take two doses of MiraLAX at the same time as it can lead to overdose that eventually leads to diarrhea and dehydration.
Table of Content
MiraLAX:
MiraLAX is one of the best immediate laxative solutions which provides effective relief against constipation and is well-known for stimulating bowel movements. It is an over-the-counter medicine that works by softening the stool by holding water in the colon (a part of the large intestine) and increasing the peristaltic bowel movements to facilitate easy passage of stool.
MiraLAX is sold as
- Powder
- Liquid
- Packet
The only active ingredient of MiraLAX is POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL which stays in the GIT and retains water to soften the stool. Research tells us that a 68 grams dose of Polyethylene Glycol (laxative) is super-effective and acts within a day against constipation.
You can get MiraLAX-the osmotic laxative for 49$.
Patients wit GIT disorders and eating disorders must seek medical advice before taking any OTC laxative and particularly MiraLAX because the drug affects bowel movements which if taken under the aforementioned circumstances might aggravate the situation and lead to life-threatening results.
Side Effects
The short-term side effects are usually the same for all consumers. Some patients experience the same side effects for over 12 months which then makes them long-term based on a study the most common ones are
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramping
- Flatulence
Diarrhea is usually caused due to excessive bowel movements which can often lead to dehydration. There is rarely an allergic reaction to MiraLAX. However. Any signs of redness and itching of the skin might be an indication of a serious reaction.
When you overdose or sometimes usually MiraLAX can lead to persistent diarrhea which can be so risky that it can even lead to dehydration. It happens when the bowel movements are more than normal, diarrhea occurs during which water content and minerals of the body are lost leading to dehydration. It comes up with dizziness, excessive thirst, confusion, dry mouth, and irritability.
If you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms, immediately consult your healthcare professional and consider it a medical emergency.
Overdose
The usual dosage of the product for adults is 17 grams diluted in water or any other healthy liquid. When it comes to children, the dosages are based on their age and severity of constipation, the recommended pediatric dosages according to drugs.com are
| Greater than 6 months | 0.5 to 1.5 g/kg daily |
| Greater than 2 years | 1.5 g/kg/day |
| Greater than 3 years | 1 to 1.5 g/kg |
If you miss any dose, and it’s almost time for your next dose, then take the next dose on time. Never take two doses of MiraLAX at the same time as it can lead to overdose that eventually leads to diarrhea and dehydration. The symptoms of overdose include:
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Excessive thirst
- Seizures
Consult a doctor immediately if the consumer faints or is facing difficulty in breathing soon after taking the drug.
How Come Miralax Isn’t Working?
If Miralax is not working after 3 days of intake, then there must be something wrong either with the drug itself, or it could be associated with your metabolism. Usually, osmotic laxatives such as MiraLAX retain water in the intestine to facilitate the passage of stool which was once hard. Remember! Never use the drug if you have intestinal obstruction or any other bowel-related problem.
Following are the causes why Miralax isn’t working anymore:
- The fiber content in your diet is vital for an easy passage of stools. The higher the fiber, the lesser the chances of constipation and fecal impaction. So, make sure you increase the fiber content in your diet while taking MiraLAX, so that it facilitates the drug in its working. The average daily requirement for fiber is 20-25 grams which can be gained from foods such as whole-grain cereals, spinach, apple, and kiwi.
- Eating less or poor appetite can also be a hurdle to the efficiency of the drug because stool bulk is needed for better functioning of the drug. So, poor appetite can cause a lack of stool bulk and consequently malfunctioning of the drug.
- Some drugs can be the biggest hurdle in the functioning of MiraLAX. This is because such drugs induce constipation and MiraLAX becomes non-functional as it acts against constipation so, when they both are taken at the same time, it doesn’t work. Following are some drugs you must avoid if you are taking laxatives:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Anti-depressants
- Anti-nausea medicines
- Antacids
- Opioids
- BP medications
- Urinary incontinence medicines
If you are undergoing any other treatment and already taking medications, then make sure to seek professional advice if you’re planning to use MiraLAX or any other laxatives. Chronic medications shouldn’t be coupled with others without seeking a professional’s advice.
What to Use if Miralax Does Not Work?
Some people are tired of their laxatives not working after 12 hours, while others can’t poop even after taking laxatives, regardless of the case, the results of using laxatives are not always the same for everyone. Their effectiveness varies.
If you are having constipation and Miralax isn’t working for straight a week, then immediately stop the medication and consult your doctor as there must be something wrong with either your diet or bowel. You can give any other OTC laxative a chance but remember never to bomb your bowel with laxatives as persistent constipation can lead to a high-risk condition called fecal impaction which is when the poop is stuck in the rectum (last part of the large intestine) forming a big, hard, and immovable mass.
Does Miralax work for impacted stool? Yes, it does! It is considered one of the best laxatives for impacted stool. However, using Miralax is an oral treatment, the other one is cleaning through the rectum by using liquids called enemas.
Well, sometimes laxatives don’t act the way they should so, what to do if Miralax isn’t working?
- Eat a high-fiber diet
- Eat in bulk
- Increase your fluid intake
- Stop taking constipation-inducing drugs
- Try other OTC medications
FAQs
Can you still be constipated after taking MiraLAX?
Although MiraLAX causes loose and watery stools but yes, there is still a chance that it might not work for you. This can be because of your diet, drug intake, and sedentary lifestyle. However, this is rare. Persistent constipation can even end up as a hard mass of stool that can’t be pushed further within the large intestine causing fecal impaction.
What to do if you take a laxative and it doesn’t work?
If you take any laxatives and they are not working, then you must filter your diet, use high-fiber bulky foods and improve your fluid intake. Eating only laxatives is not enough to avoid constipation. To avoid constipation, eat and drink healthy. You may also try taking an alternate laxative for better results but make sure to seek advice from your doctor and just don’t overload your bowel with laxatives.
Can MiraLAX worsen constipation?
It usually doesn’t worsen constipation, however, it might lead to some short-term side effects such as nausea, flatulence, diarrhea, and bloating which is found in 3 percent of the consumers. Laxatives simply soften the stool and improve the bowel movements for an easy excretion, in such a way they don’t usually worsen constipation, they just facilitate it.
What does it mean if laxative didn’t work?
Usually, laxatives need a high-fiber diet with bulk and plenty of fluids for proper functioning, so, if you lack any of the aforementioned needs and have a sedentary lifestyle, then the laxative might face trouble dealing with constipation. However, if a laxative doesn’t work, then you should use an alternate one but make sure you do it by seeking professional advice.
Final Verdict
Being an osmotic-laxative, MiraLAX works efficiently in softening and easy passage of the stool against constipation. If MiraLAX isn’t working for you, then you must not be taking care of your diet or your other drugs can be constipation-inducing. Constipation can be avoided by improving your lifestyle and diet. If you are suffering from persistent constipation, then stop playing with OTC laxatives and softeners and consult a medical professional immediately!
