Is Miralax Safe During Pregnancy

December 4, 2022

Polyethylene Glycol 3350 Pregnancy Warnings

How Do I Relieve Constipation While Pregnant!

Animal studies have not been conducted. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Systemic exposure if negligible, so clinically significant exposure of the fetus is not expected.AU TGA pregnancy category B1: Drugs which have been taken by only a limited number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age, without an increase in the frequency of malformation or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the human fetus having been observed. Studies in animals have not shown evidence of an increased occurrence of fetal damage.US FDA pregnancy category Not Assigned: The US FDA has amended the pregnancy labeling rule for prescription drug products to require labeling that includes a summary of risk, a discussion of the data supporting that summary, and relevant information to help health care providers make prescribing decisions and counsel women about the use of drugs during pregnancy. Pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X are being phased out.

Use is not recommended unless clearly needed.AU TGA pregnancy category: B1US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned

Is It Safe To Take Miralax During Pregnancy

MiraLAX can be a helpful solution for constipation while youre expecting. Indeed, the American Gastroenterological Association considers it the first-choice laxative for people who are pregnant.

Generally, it is safe, concurs Nathan Fox, MD, OBGYN, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and host of the Healthful Woman podcast. But it is not the first general treatment I recommend because it can cause abdominal cramping and sometimes diarrhea. I usually recommend dietary modifications first. A terrific option is a glass of prune juice every day.

Dr. McBane agrees. Pregnant individuals should always try non-medication measures first, she says. These include increasing intake of fluids and dietary fiber as well as exercise. MiraLAX can be used if these strategies are not working to relieve constipation.”

Every pregnancy is different. Be sure to consult with a healthcare provider about your circumstances if you have any questions about taking MiraLAX while pregnant.

Miralax For Kids And Babies

MiraLAX is approved for over-the-counter use in adults and adolescents aged 17 years and older.

Its also effective for treating constipation in younger children, including babies younger than 2 years of age.

According to the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, MiraLAX is a first-choice medication for treating and preventing constipation in children. However, it shouldnt be used in young children without the direction of your childs doctor.

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What Constipation Remedies Are Okay To Use During Pregnancy

Theres no such thing as a medication thats 100 percent safe for pregnant women which is why its a good idea to try to treat your constipation by changing up your diet or exercise routine first.

If that doesnât work, however, there are a few other laxatives available on the market that are generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your practitioner before taking any of them.

In the meantime, heres what you can do to try to regulate your bowel movements while youre pregnant:

Avoid stimulant laxatives like Dulcolax or Senokot, which trigger the intestinal muscles to contract and can be harmful to pregnant women.

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What Is Constipation During Pregnancy

Constipation is a common complaint of women who are pregnant. It affects up to 38% of women at some point during their pregnancy. Constipation can be painful and negatively affect your quality of life. It can also lead to physical problems like hemorrhoids if you donât treat it.

Symptoms of constipation during pregnancy

Symptoms of constipation can include any of the following:

Infrequent bowel movements
Hard, lumpy, or dry stool

A feeling like all of your stool hasnât passed
Excessive straining to have a bowel movement

Causes of constipation during pregnancy

If you are experiencing constipation during pregnancy, it may be a result of one of the following potential causes:

Hormone changes in pregnancy
Not enough fiber in your diet

Who can get constipation during pregnancy?

Any woman who is pregnant can experience constipation, but the following factors may increase your risk:

Postpartum Constipationyou’re Not Done Pushing Yet

Delivery doesnt necessarily mean an end to your constipation woes. The combination of extra iron supplements , narcotics , limited mobility and a fear of pain while straining to go can all contribute to postpartum constipation. If this is the case, says Wong, the same rules of pregnancy constipation apply: stick to high-fibre foods , hydrate and move around as much as you can. And finally, if you’re offered a stool softener right after delivery, accept it. Trust us on this one.

This article was originally published in August 2017 and has since been updated.

Add More Litter Boxes

Cats are often particular about their litter boxes. They need to be a specific place, with the right level of cleanliness and much more. Often a cat will be unwilling to go to a dirty litter box even if its only a tiny bit. Thus, having more litter boxes can encourage it to relieve itself. A good rule of thumb is two litter boxes per cat in the household.

Miralax And Other Medications

Below are lists of medications that can interact with MiraLAX. This article does not contain all drugs that may interact with MiraLAX.

Different drug interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects.

Before taking MiraLAX, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Diuretics

MiraLAX and other laxatives can sometimes cause electrolyte imbalances. Certain diuretics can also cause these problems. Taking laxatives with diuretics might increase the risk of serious side effects caused by electrolyte imbalances, such as muscle weakness and heart rhythm problems.

Examples of these diuretics include:

tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine , and imipramine

Oral medications

You shouldnt take oral medications during the hour before you use MiraLAX for bowel prep before colonoscopy or other procedures. MiraLAX bowel prep procedures may decrease the amount of these drugs that your body absorbs.

Side Effects Of Miralax

Pregnancy-Safe Constipation Relief

When used at regular doses, MiraLAX is considered well-tolerated, safe, and effective. Still, like other medications, MiraLAX can cause side effects in some people.

The more common side effects of MiraLAX include:

stomach discomfort

If you take more MiraLAX than the dosage instructions recommend, it may give you diarrhea and too many bowel movements. This could lead to dehydration . Dehydration can be dangerous for both you and your pregnancy. For more information, read about the importance of hydration during pregnancy. Be sure to follow the dosage instructions on the package carefully, and if you have questions about dosage, ask your doctor.

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Uses That Are Not Recommended

Not all potential uses for MiraLAX are recommended.

MiraLAX for weight loss

Some people take laxatives, including MiraLAX, with the intention of losing weight. However, MiraLAX and other laxatives are not effective for weight loss. In addition, they may cause harmful side effects if theyre used inappropriately. These can include diarrhea, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances.

If you would like to lose weight, dont use MiraLAX for that purpose. Instead, talk with your doctor about weight-loss approaches that can work well for you.

Take MiraLAX according to the instructions on the package or according to the directions youve received from your doctor.

Herbals And Dietary Supplements

During pregnancy, herbal remedies are used for nausea, respiratory symptoms, urinary tract infections, pain, and other nonspecific issues.40 However, there are few human data on the safety of herbal remedies in pregnancy. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 requires manufacturers to ensure the safety of supplements before marketing. However, there is no registration process with the FDA, which takes action only if a supplement is found to be unsafe after marketing.41 Herbals were not included in the NBDPS until the year 2000. According to a subanalysis of the NBDPS, 10.9% of women use herbals during pregnancy, most commonly peppermint, cranberry extract, herbal teas, ginger, chamomile, Echinacea, ginseng, raspberry leaf, and ephedra products.42

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No Youre Probably Not Going To Explode

Seriously though, as someone who has never gone a week without pooping for as long as I can remember, I was kind of alarmed about this whole situation. I was more bloated and uncomfortable than I had ever been in my life.

Turns out, its very uncommon for constipation to become an actual emergency. If youre super uncomfortable and having abdominal pain, you should probably go see someone, Dr. Elborno says. Other signs its time to call your doctor include: nausea, vomiting, blood in your stool, and black or dark gray stool. It is very rare but there are some people who need manual disimpaction, Dr. Elborno adds. Meaning, a doctor will need to remove the hardened, backed-up stool from the colon. Again, though, thats a rare occurrence. In general, constipation is not so serious, she says.

But also, just because its not so serious doesnt mean you have to just live with it. A lot of people assume that if something is normal or expected for pregnancy, that they just have to kind of deal with it, Dr. Elborno says. The reality is that there are a lot of supportive measures we can take to improve quality of life, decrease this symptoms effect on overall well-being, and try to make pregnancy more enjoyable.

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Miralax Usage During Pregnancy

Hello Ladies,

I have a quick question: Has anyone used Miralax with a previous pregnancy and had any problems?

I have a well-meaning friend who just phoned and told me that Miralax is “toxic” and is known to harm the fetus.

Background: My doctor prescribed Miralax to me ) because I had fecal impactment, which is far worse than constipation.

For approximately 5 days, I took 1 tablespoon of the PG with 8oz of water and 400mg of dulcosate before it finally kicked in and I could use the bathroom.

I’d like to hear from others who have used this medicine or are on this medicine.

Rant: I’m a little annoyed that my friend called me twice, left me frantic messages to which when she called again, I answered, only for her to give me yet another thing to worry about as a pregnant woman! My HG just ended two weeks ago and I still occasionally take the generic version of Zofran when I’m having a rough day. No, I’d rather not remain ignorant, so on one hand I’m very happy she told, but on the other, my husband and I have already said we’d be surprised if this baby doesn’t come out with some sort of defect because of all the meds I’ve had to take–and of course now round ligament pain’s kicked in… so I’m checking my underwear for blood like a woman afraid of a miscarriage!!

I’ve searched the internet and Miralax and PG appear to be FDA Class C drugs for pregnancy. Meaning that there haven’t been any tests done on animals to determine their effects during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

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Fiber Truly Is Your Best Friendeven If It Comes In Powder Form

Of course, hydrating, exercising, and eating a well-balanced, fiber-rich diet are all easier said than done when youre exhausted, nauseated, and just simply trying to make it through each day. Luckily, you can totally cheat on the fiber front.

A lot of pregnancy is about survival, Dr. Elborno says. Ive had patients that are like, All I can keep down are Warheads and Pop-Tarts, and at the end of the day, you have to get nutrition from somewhere. If youre having a really tough time eating fiber-rich veggies and grains, its okay to turn to something else like powdered fiber that you mix into water and quickly chug. Thats what I did. The generic form of Metamucil, called psyllium husk, is a powder you spoon into water, mix, and then drink quickly before it gets gelatinous. It works by adding bulk to the stool, which helps prompt the intestines to contract and move stool through.

The one I bought was orange flavored, and it was very palatable, even when I was dealing with some nausea and terrible heartburn. But if the powder stuff in water makes you gag , Dr. Elborno suggests sneaking it into smoothies, or adding other fiber-rich ingredients like flax seeds. That way, you can get the benefits without having to stomach the taste or texture of something youre not used to. You can also blend fibrous veggies or powders into soups if its easier for you to stomach something hot and brothy, Dr. Elborno adds.

What Medications Should I Avoid

Always be sure to avoid polyethylene glycol and magnesium citrate while expecting, as these could possibly harm your baby.

Castor oil must also be avoided, as it can cause irregular and painful contractions, which can be stressful on mom and baby, and possibly even lead to labor. It may also cause your baby to pass meconium before delivery, which often leads to complications after birth .

Play It Safe

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Can I Take Miralax While Pregnant

How long does MiraLAX cleanout take?

Only a small amount of the drug is absorbed by your body, so MiraLAX is considered safe for short-term use during pregnancy. Actually, MiraLAX is often a first choice for doctors for easing constipation during pregnancy, according to one source in American Family Physician.

What Prescription Constipation Medications Are Safe During Pregnancy

Adult Laxative Miralax (PEG 3350) Prescribed to Children, Adverse Events Skyrocket

Most constipation medications are available OTC, but a few are available only with a prescription. However, many prescription constipation medications are questionable or unsafe to use during pregnancy. This is because there’s limited information about them during pregnancy. Pregnant women are often excluded from research studies.

One that is considered safe to use is lactulose. Lactulose is an osmotic laxative thats only available with a prescription. Like the OTC products, it raises the amount of water in your stool.

But osmotic laxatives have side effects that limit their use. For example, lactulose may cause uncomfortable bloating, gas, and nausea. It may also cause electrolyte imbalances. Electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, are important for the normal function of your cells. Even slight changes may cause serious harm.

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When Should I Be Worried About Constipation During Pregnancy

If you have severe constipation thats accompanied by abdominal pain, alternates with diarrhea, or you pass mucus or blood, call your doctor or midwife immediately. Also, straining during a bowel movement or passing a hard stool can lead to or worsen hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in the rectal area.

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When To Seek Help

In some cases, constipation can be treated at home without needing to visit the vet. But, if any of these symptoms arise, you should contact your veterinarian:

Abnormal eating pattern
No bowel movement for two or more days

These can be symptoms of more severe conditions when coupled with constipation. They will, therefore, need to be addressed by a professional.

Everything You Need To Know About Milk Of Magnesia And Pregnancy

Brian Levine, MD, MS, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

When to Call Your Doctor

When it comes to pregnancy, there are many over-the-counter medications that are off-limits. But, the good news is that for most pregnant women, milk of magnesia is not one of them. Although you should always check with your doctor first before taking anythingeven over-the-counter medicationsmost research indicates that short-term use of milk of magnesia is usually not harmful to you or your growing baby. The keywords, of course, are short-term use.

In fact, one study found that laxatives like milk of magnesia are poorly absorbed and their use has not been associated with adverse effects. However, researchers did indicate that expectant moms might experience bloating and flatulence when taking the medication. Additionally, they warn that prolonged use could lead to electrolyte imbalances.

Therefore, before you run out and purchase a bottle to treat your constipation, be sure to talk with your doctor first. Even though this over-the-counter medication is typically safe to use occasionally when you are pregnant, you may have special circumstances in which it is not recommended for you. In the meantime though, here is an overview of everything you need to know about milk of magnesia.

Side Effects And Risks

MiraLAX and Metamucil have very similar common side effects. These can include:

diarrhea or loose stools

Some people may have more gas or bloating with Metamucil compared to MiraLAX. However, this side effect may decrease or go away with continued use of either product.

Taking Metamucil without adequate liquid can cause choking. Be sure to take Metamucil with at least 8 ounces of liquid. If you have swallowing problems, dont take Metamucil.

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