We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Diet

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Milk of Magnesia?

By Y. Chen
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 362,933
Share

Milk of magnesia, also known by the generic name magnesium hydroxide, is a medicine that is used as a hydrating laxative and an antacid. It is not a dairy product, but rather a milky-white liquid that is made from magnesium hydroxide, purified water, and sodium hypochlorite. This medicine usually relieves uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms within 30 minutes and constipation within six hours.

Treatment of Stomach Discomfort

Magnesium hydroxide is an alkaline suspension, which means that it is able to neutralize acids. When a patient swallows this medicine, the hydroxide ions in it react with the hydrogen ions in stomach acid, transforming both into water. This makes milk of magnesia effective in fighting excess stomach acid, which can cause indigestion, heartburn, and stomach ulcers. When used as an antacid, the usual adult dose is from 0.02 – 0.05 oz (500 mg to 1,500 mg).

Treatment of Constipation

The magnesium in milk of magnesia is what makes it an effective laxative. The mineral ions draw water into the intestinal tract from the surrounding body tissues. This extra water softens and increases the volume of feces, which stimulates the nerves in the intestines and causes a bowel movement. For the treatment of constipation, an adult dose is between 0.07 – 0.18 oz (2,000 mg and 5,000 mg).

Other Uses

Many people use this product in a number of off-label ways, including as a topical treatment for dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, acne, and other skin conditions. It reportedly can help reduce body odor as well. There are few if any scientific studies that support these claims, but using milk of magnesia on the skin is unlikely to cause any serious side effects in most people.

Precautions

Milk of magnesia can react with certain antibiotics, and may be harmful to fetuses or newborns. Patients who are taking antibiotics, or who are pregnant or nursing, need to consult with a medical professional before taking this type of medicine. As with any other medication, milk of magnesia does occasionally produce side effects, including weakness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Most patients tolerate it well, so those with severe side effects should be sure to contact a healthcare provider. All patients should only use magnesium hydroxide for up to one week, unless otherwise instructed by a medical professional.

Patients with severe or chronic kidney disease are typically advised to limit their intake of magnesium, so they should only use milk of magnesia under the orders of a healthcare provider who is familiar with the condition. Healthy kidneys remove this mineral from the body quickly while unhealthy kidneys may not be able to effectively do so. This could lead to toxic levels in the blood, a condition called hypermagnesemia.

Discovery

The first documented medical use of magnesium as a treatment for stomach problems was by Sir James Murray, who created a liquid suspension of this mineral in 1829. The original formula for magnesium hydroxide was developed in 1880 by a man named Charles Henry Phillips. It was sold under the brand Phillips' Milk of Magnesia.

Availability

Milk of magnesia is sold over the counter. It comes in the traditional liquid suspension, as well as chewable tablets and capsules, and may be unflavored or flavored, usually in mint or cherry. Health professionals often recommend taking it with a full glass of juice or water to help with absorption.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By anon331207 — On Apr 21, 2013

MOM mixed with table sugar and applied to bed sores results in healing. It really works!

By anon264528 — On Apr 28, 2012

I have been taking Milk of Magnesia for years because of an anal fissure. The fissure has now been repaired through surgery so I no longer need it. What long term damage would have been caused to me?

By anon195487 — On Jul 11, 2011

It works.

By momof8boys — On May 04, 2011

I have used milk of magnesia for a sunburn remedy. Just put it on a cotton ball and apply to red areas. I cannot speak for how it works; I only know that it does. It takes the fire and burning feeling out. This was told to me by a older lady who was raised in africa by her missionary parents. They had limited resources there, which led her mother to try this. I thought she was crazy when she suggested this, but it works!

I have two boys who are so sun sensitive that they often are pink despite the sunscreen use. It dries to a white chalkiness on your skin, and can be reapplied if needed. I do not know how it works, or how young of a child it is safe to use on. I applied it to my school age kids. I know it sounds crazy but try it.

By anon166225 — On Apr 07, 2011

I am 11 weeks pregnant and I have been having bouts of constipation on and off the last couple of weeks. I read the reviews of MOM and along with the doctor's advice, I decided to buy a bottle of the cherry flavor. I took it last night and had a BM within three hours and it felt so good after not going to the bathroom in eight days. I would definitely recommend this product because it really does work.

By anon111577 — On Sep 17, 2010

Another site lists Milk of Magnesia as part of a home remedy for canker sores. 1/2 hydrogen peroxide mixed with 1/2 water dabbed on the sore, then apply milk of magnesia for a soothing effect.

By anon79440 — On Apr 22, 2010

Also try M.O.M. as an alternative, non-aluminum deodorant (and also seems to work as antiperspirant in some). Do a search on milk of magnesia and deodorant, if interested. I am a recent convert in my attempt to avoid questionable ingredients after my breast cancer diagnosis.

I have tried it on acne, but like everything else, it did not help with that. I did use it as a mask occasionally, but the absorptive effects on my Exxon Valdez oil-spill of a face were short-lived.

By anon69334 — On Mar 07, 2010

My family doc recommended MOM (Milk of Magnesia) for my two year old daughter as she has been on and off again constipated, to the point that her BM's were like small stones and very, very dry.

She has been on it for two weeks and outside of being very runny in the beginning she has been consistently pasty the last two days or so.

MOM has to work through your system for the first week or so before your body stops reacting with pure water. My daughter would basically have "wet farts" and no it's not quite that bad. this has really helped us in this department.

By anon44211 — On Sep 05, 2009

Milk of magnesia is also a great way to cure acne related issues and works as good as if not better than expensive facial treatments. Apply the milk of magnesia on the face and let dry for 15 to 30 minutes. Then wash off with a warm wet wash cloth.

By anon18664 — On Sep 27, 2008

anon13846 didn't say "Wikipedia calls it pseudoscience quackery." They said, "Wikipedia has references..."

In fact, their article on Homeopathy has 167 inline citations (footnotes) which reference a plethora of medical journals (with PubMed links), the AMA, FDA, NHS, plus a few 'third string' sources like Newsweek and BBC.

Read Wikipedia's policy pages about Verifiability and Reliable Sources. "Articles should rely on reliable, third-party, published sources with a reputation for fact-checking and accuracy. This means that we only publish the opinions of reliable authors, and not the opinions of Wikipedians."

And anyone considering using homeopathic products -- especially on babies -- please read some of those many scientific references linked from their Homeopathy article. The FDA article under Links if nothing else....

PS A Wikipedia article said Milk of Magnesia might help seborrheic dermatitis (anyone?) so I Googled for more data, and came across this page. So, I'm not adverse to all alt-medicine, I just research it well first, which I do before I take anything "FDA approved" too, either OTC or prescribed.

By anon14558 — On Jun 19, 2008

anon13846: I hardly think Wikipedia is the "Master-Of-All-Truth"! Anyone can post as many "facts" on Wikipedia as they want to. (For Instance) A said group of people want to change the definition on Wikipedia to say that Elephants only have two knees per leg, or that cow's only have one stomach. And if you get enough people backing that theory, the admin will actually change the definition to the newly perceived. Please be cautious when using Wikipedia for any medical info. Use WebMD or call a local hospital, family physician, etc. when seeking medical advice.

I have used the homeopathic teething tablets on my kids while they were teething, not because that's what I believe in, but it really helped when other traditional methods did not. It is a Natural Remedy so-to-speak thing, but hardly dangerous unless uncle joe-bob-henry-bob is making it in his basement. Most of the Over-the-counter homeopathic remedies are A-OK!

By anon13846 — On Jun 05, 2008

Homeopathy is considered implausible and dangerous by the mainstream (evidence-based) medical community. Some homeopathic remedies contain mercury. Wikipedia has references that call it pseudoscience quackery, or, in the words of a 1998 medical review, "placebo therapy at best and quackery at worst." Please consider it as a last resort, if at all.

By anon11187 — On Apr 10, 2008

I saw on the newspaper that it heals acne too! Just put it on your face...

That's what I am trying..

By anon8280 — On Feb 10, 2008

can milk of magnesia be used (and i know its awfully mean) as a prank without bad side effects? the person has normal bodily functions and fits the criteria to be OK to take it if he was constipated so the only difference between him and a constipated person is he isn't constipated but would he be OK to take it?

By angeleyes33 — On Dec 27, 2007

I have an 8 month old who was born at 32 weeks. she had a tight sphincter and was put on MOM daily by her GI doctor. It was done to prevent having to use dilators and it did work, I just didn't like the thought of her being on this daily also if she didn't have a bowel movement every 3rd to fourth day or was really distended. I was instructed to give mild soapy water enemas about 5ccs. She is now on Miralax and it is working wonderfully. What is your thought on this treatment because I noticed you suggested homeopathic instead. I am asking because my mother-in-law thinks I was depleting her of potassium and electrolytes. Even though she couldn't poop and had no diarrhea to speak of.

By anon5499 — On Nov 27, 2007

Babies on breast milk only can often go days at a time, or even up to a week with no BM. This is not defined as constipation. This is actually normal, and speaks to the fact that breast milk is such a perfect food and so completely assimilated, that there is very little waste. Parents often mistake this for constipation. Constipation is defined as a hard stool.

If your baby is truly "constipated," I suggest a Homeopathic Remedy to put his/her body in balance. Homeopathy is a natural form of medicine that seeks to eliminate symptoms based on the principal of "like cures like" stimulating the body to help itself. Unlike some herbs, Homeopathic remedies are safe while pregnant or breastfeeding, and are safe for babies and children.

Tina Williams-Wolf, IBCLC, RLC, HMA

Classic Homeopath

By jonrio — On Nov 02, 2007

I'm 16 years old and i have had constipation for 3 days. I tried enemas, laxatives, everything will this stuff help me. I have been drinking coke since i was 7.

By anon4738 — On Oct 30, 2007

Babies are *supposed* to drink breast milk and it won't make them constipated. More likely, it's something else that is making your baby constipated because she shouldn't need to drink water or juice or anything else - at that age, they can still just live on breast milk. Take her to the doctor!

By dchabva — On Oct 30, 2007

i have a 7 month old baby girl who get severely constipated, someone has told me to try milk of magnesium daily. what is your advice on this. she get so constipated because she refuses to take any other liquid except for breast milk. it is very hard to get her to drink anything, water, juices or formula milk.

By johnwmawson — On Oct 18, 2007

Can you tell me who was the UK firm who would have been manufacturing Milk of Magnesia in 1920-30. I am tracing family history and my mother worked for this firm whoever they were.

Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-milk-of-magnesia.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.