Anyone Use Miralax?

Updated on June 04, 2007
J.L. asks from Dallas, TX
13 answers

My almost-3-year-old had horrible constipation issues that were finally resolved w/ Miralax. It works wonders. My ped told me it is OK for him to stay on it awhile, but I wondered if anyone had any experience w/ long-term use? I'm concerned that if he becomes too reliant on it he will have a difficult time later on. Any advice?

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C.Y.

answers from Dallas on

My son has been on it for about 3 years. I have tapered it down and not daily anymore,I think it works great! I helps loosen it up so he can go and get in the habit of going. My son thinks that everything else is much moe important that wasting his time in the bathroom!

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A.W.

answers from Dallas on

Both of my girls had to use it and it worked wonders. Neither of them had any issues trasitioning off of it and we've seen no residual effects.

Good luck as I know how difficult it can be to have a child with constipation and how miserable is makes the poor babies!

God Bless.

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O.M.

answers from Dallas on

My seven year old daughter used it for a year or two until she was around 4 years old and i made the decision to take her off of it because she had become dependant on it herself and thought she couldn't go without it. One day, she told me she could not go because i had not given her the medicine and that is when i knew she had be come dependant on it and took her off. She has been fine since then...

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S.S.

answers from Lexington on

My daughter (23 months) has been on it for maybe 8 or 9 months b/c if I try to cut her off or simply cut back she gets constipated again and messes up her belly...I have IBS and have used it as well and it's awesome!! Both my docs (my uncle in law is a gastro also and said it's safe) as well as her ped have said it's not addictive (or whatever the word would be!), they can't get dependent on it and that's why it's so nice. We think the milk is what's causing our issue so he had me cut back on her milk and I continue the Miralax. We go for our 2 year in June so we said we would review then unless I was concerned before then sooo. Of course I don't want her taking anything she doesn't need or something for longer than she should but it's pretty clear to me at this point that she needs it or she'll get constipated and the ped seems to be fine with that! I used it my whole pregnancy and after and it was a God send! Not sure if any of this helps but if you have any questions or I can help in any way, feel free to contact me!

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S.R.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter had to be on that medicine for a while. It works great! She was on it about a year, but during that year, I was slowly taking her off. She is perfectly normal now. I have not used it in about a year! It is a very great medication. I hope this helps

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C.

answers from Dallas on

My pediatric gastroentologist told me that my son can stay on Miralax for years. He explained that it will not have any side effects and will not cause a dependency issue. He said basically that it helps the stool absorb and keep water so that it stays soft.

The doctor suggested for us to try stopping it during the summer and see how the stools go. If we need to go back to it, then so be it. He suggested that we try again in December if summer didn't work out.

I hope this helps. If you need a referral, we see Dr. Jack An at Digestive Health Associates at Medical City. He is wonderful!

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A.

answers from Dallas on

My son was on it for a year and did great w/ it and was fine when he was able to be off. My ped said the same thing and he's right.

Regards,
A.

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H.B.

answers from Dallas on

My eight year old has been on it for 5 years!! We try and take her off but we have to put her back on it, she holds it in. Total mental thing. It is awsome. We have also tryed to wean her off by less dosses, but about once a year we have to put her back on it!! Good Luck
My peds daughter has been on it longer than we have, he said they will eventully outgrow it.

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A.F.

answers from Dallas on

My 5 year old daughter was put on Miralax when she was 4, and we loved it! We used it just about everyday for about 4 months. Whenever I see signs of constipation, I give it to her for a couple of days to clear it up. My ped said that that was fine to do. In fact, my ped put my youngest daughter (3) on Miralax last week. So far, so good!

Hope this helps!
Enjoy your blessings,

A.

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K.B.

answers from Dallas on

It's a wonderful product once you get the dosage right for your child! Now it's over the counter too!! My daughter has been taking it off & on for 2 years.

If you feel he'll become reliant on it then lower the dosage & UP the fiber in his foods. That's what I did instead of my daughter taking Miralax everyday. She eats a high fiber/low fat diet & we have pretty much gotten off Miralax but we rely on it when we travel (when we tend to not eat right).

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D.M.

answers from Dallas on

Hi, my son was on Miralax for a few years (he has encopresis), and didn't have any problems coming off of it at all. I had heard that it might be addicting, but we didn't have that issue. I suppose it depends on the amounts you take, too, and I think the most he was taking was 1 capful a day. You are welcom to talk to me more about it, if you like. Hope this helps.

D.

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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

My son has been on this for 2 years. We have lessened the dose, but still see that there is no built up dependance on it. I feel it is totally safe. It was explained to me to be more like a softener/fiber supplement than as a laxative.

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B.C.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter has been on it for 1 1/2 years now. We went in for her 3 yr check up and I voiced the same concerns about long term use, even though they had said many times before that it is completely safe. Her ped. said if we wanted we could just start giving her Citrucel, and take her off the Miralax (since it is basically the same thing)But once again assured that it is completely safe and she won't be dependant on it ..once she starts eating a better diet :-) very picky eater..
I did see that they are now selling Miralax over the counter now, you don't need a prescription.

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