Milk Of Magnesia 400 mg/5 ml Suspension

Used as:

• Osmotic laxative (milk of magnesia): occasional constipation, bowel clearance
• Antacid: heartburn, acid indigestion (alone or combined with aluminium hydroxide)

Laxative (suspension ~400 mg/5 ml):

• Adults and children over 12: 30–45 ml at bedtime, followed by a glass of water; works within 30 minutes to 6 hours.
• Children 6–11: 15–30 ml; 2–5 years: 5–15 ml (on advice).

Antacid: adults 5–15 ml up to four times daily as needed.

• Do not use as a laxative for more than 1 week without advice.

• Severe kidney impairment (magnesium accumulation)
• Bowel obstruction, appendicitis, undiagnosed abdominal pain
• Severe dehydration

Common: diarrhoea, abdominal cramps.

With overuse or kidney failure: high magnesium (weakness, drowsiness, low blood pressure, slow heartbeat), dehydration, electrolyte imbalance.

• Kidney disease, elderly: avoid regular use.
• Chronic constipation needs medical review (fibre, fluids first).
• Not for children under 2 without medical advice.

Occasional use is considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Take 2–4 hours apart from: tetracyclines, quinolones, iron, digoxin, levothyroxine, bisphosphonates, ketoconazole, gabapentin.

• Enteric-coated tablets may dissolve early.

Diarrhoea, dehydration; in kidney failure, high magnesium — medical care.

Store below 30°C; shake well; do not freeze.