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What Are The Side Effects Of Miralax?
Question: Hi there,
I have IBS-C and have had bowel issues as long as I can remember. Fiber, lots of water, and the usual solutions don't seem to work for me, and several years ago (we're probably pushing close to a decade, but maybe not quite), I was put on a combination of the Metamucil I was already taking and MiraLax (a dose every night). I know MiraLax's directions suggest short-term use only, but it seemed to work for me, so my doctor put me on it long-term permanently, which has improved quality of life and all-but-eliminated my bowel issues.
Unfortunately, I ran across the following, and it has me a bit concerned:
http://www.gutsense.org/gutsense/the-role-of-miralax-laxative-in-autism-dementia-alzheimer.html
I realize the site linked to is not a mainstream website, so I'm taking what they're saying with a grain of salt, but thought I'd get a second opinion just to make sure I'm not potentially ingesting a neurotoxin. (About a year ago I began experiencing bouts of muscle twitching, which I'm seeing a doctor for, but I still have no real reason for it, though fortunately if anything it's reduced since it started...it comes and goes and might be a benign condition called BFS, but reading this worried me it could be related).
Also, several months ago, I made diet changes and once again tried to get off Miralax, which worked fine for about a month (I really thought I was out of the woods), and then I ended up in the ER for almost a day because I was blocked up unable to go. So, regrettably I restarted it.
Your opinion on all this is appreciated. Since MiraLax works, is it safe for me to continue longterm, or is there a risk of damage, particularly neurological damage?
Thanks!
I have IBS-C and have had bowel issues as long as I can remember. Fiber, lots of water, and the usual solutions don't seem to work for me, and several years ago (we're probably pushing close to a decade, but maybe not quite), I was put on a combination of the Metamucil I was already taking and MiraLax (a dose every night). I know MiraLax's directions suggest short-term use only, but it seemed to work for me, so my doctor put me on it long-term permanently, which has improved quality of life and all-but-eliminated my bowel issues.
Unfortunately, I ran across the following, and it has me a bit concerned:
http://www.gutsense.org/gutsense/the-role-of-miralax-laxative-in-autism-dementia-alzheimer.html
I realize the site linked to is not a mainstream website, so I'm taking what they're saying with a grain of salt, but thought I'd get a second opinion just to make sure I'm not potentially ingesting a neurotoxin. (About a year ago I began experiencing bouts of muscle twitching, which I'm seeing a doctor for, but I still have no real reason for it, though fortunately if anything it's reduced since it started...it comes and goes and might be a benign condition called BFS, but reading this worried me it could be related).
Also, several months ago, I made diet changes and once again tried to get off Miralax, which worked fine for about a month (I really thought I was out of the woods), and then I ended up in the ER for almost a day because I was blocked up unable to go. So, regrettably I restarted it.
Your opinion on all this is appreciated. Since MiraLax works, is it safe for me to continue longterm, or is there a risk of damage, particularly neurological damage?
Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Your concerns are valid
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I have read your query and understand your concern.
I have read through the link that you have shared. What you have read is right.
Neuropsychiatric events do occur as adverse effect of chronic miralax usage.
Since you have taken it for a long time now, it is possible that it has caused these side effects in you.
According to the FDA, one percent of people using miralax have reported this. As of now, FDA has decided that no action is necessary at this time based on the available information.
The bouts of muscle twitching could be attributed to miralax use.
My advice to you would be to gradually decrease the usage of miralax, and subsequently stop its usage. Please do so in consultation with your primary treating doctor.
Miralax is not safe for long term use. More so, with its potential neurological damage. This is my opinion.
Let me know about your other queries.
Regards,
Your concerns are valid
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I have read your query and understand your concern.
I have read through the link that you have shared. What you have read is right.
Neuropsychiatric events do occur as adverse effect of chronic miralax usage.
Since you have taken it for a long time now, it is possible that it has caused these side effects in you.
According to the FDA, one percent of people using miralax have reported this. As of now, FDA has decided that no action is necessary at this time based on the available information.
The bouts of muscle twitching could be attributed to miralax use.
My advice to you would be to gradually decrease the usage of miralax, and subsequently stop its usage. Please do so in consultation with your primary treating doctor.
Miralax is not safe for long term use. More so, with its potential neurological damage. This is my opinion.
Let me know about your other queries.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hi and thanks much for your assistance!
If this is a neurological symptom due to MiraLax use, is it likely to be long-term, or temporary, and will cease when I stop the MiraLax?
Would something like Linzess be a safer alternative to try?
Thank you!
If this is a neurological symptom due to MiraLax use, is it likely to be long-term, or temporary, and will cease when I stop the MiraLax?
Would something like Linzess be a safer alternative to try?
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Inadequate clinical date on the same
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Yes, it is most probably a neurological symptom due to Miralax use. Regarding your other queries on it being long-term, or temporary, and will it cease on stopping the drug can only be told after receiving enough evidence from patients like you. The FDA still needs more information on the same.
Yes, you could try Linzess as a safer alternative but again, only for short term use and not for long term use.
Take care of your health.
Regards,
Inadequate clinical date on the same
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Yes, it is most probably a neurological symptom due to Miralax use. Regarding your other queries on it being long-term, or temporary, and will it cease on stopping the drug can only be told after receiving enough evidence from patients like you. The FDA still needs more information on the same.
Yes, you could try Linzess as a safer alternative but again, only for short term use and not for long term use.
Take care of your health.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Thank you.
I understand there is no long-term data. If you had to guess, is the damage likely long-term?
Finally, what are my *long-term* options? Unfortunately, Miralax is the only thing that has worked to prevent severe constipation/gas/pain (I'm talking the kind that can double a person over). If I can't take Linzess long term, that's no good. What about Amitiza? Is there anything else I could try?
Thanks much.
I understand there is no long-term data. If you had to guess, is the damage likely long-term?
Finally, what are my *long-term* options? Unfortunately, Miralax is the only thing that has worked to prevent severe constipation/gas/pain (I'm talking the kind that can double a person over). If I can't take Linzess long term, that's no good. What about Amitiza? Is there anything else I could try?
Thanks much.
Brief Answer:
May be reversible.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for follow up query.
I appreciate your knowledge towards your condition and medications. I will try to help you my best. I have discussed about this my colleagues and with my gastro enterologist friend as well.
If I had to guess mostly it will temporarily, I have done research on it, Most of studies say that muscle twitching which is caused by peripheral neuropathy or other related conditions mostly temporary and reversible if we diagnose it early stages... But I have not found data regarding miralax. I hope it will apply to miralax as well.
Next to come treatment: I know you are very comfortable with miralax. But you are having muscle twitches it is better to stop it. You can start Linzess and taper it gradually. Every drug had some side effects which lead to chronic constipation. If you do not develop any side effects like diarrhea by linzess you can continue long term. Lactulose can use long term if you do not develop side effects. But final treatment will be decided by your doctor after neurologist evaluation.
Amitiza only approved for women not for men.
I appreciate your maintaining about diet.
Benefiber and oil supplements help you. Probiotic capsules will help you.
Ispaghula husk may help you.
I would like to give you a link regarding treatment.
http://www.webmd.com/ibs/treating-constipation
I guess already you know all about these.
If you have any queries I will be happy to help you.
Thank you.
May be reversible.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for follow up query.
I appreciate your knowledge towards your condition and medications. I will try to help you my best. I have discussed about this my colleagues and with my gastro enterologist friend as well.
If I had to guess mostly it will temporarily, I have done research on it, Most of studies say that muscle twitching which is caused by peripheral neuropathy or other related conditions mostly temporary and reversible if we diagnose it early stages... But I have not found data regarding miralax. I hope it will apply to miralax as well.
Next to come treatment: I know you are very comfortable with miralax. But you are having muscle twitches it is better to stop it. You can start Linzess and taper it gradually. Every drug had some side effects which lead to chronic constipation. If you do not develop any side effects like diarrhea by linzess you can continue long term. Lactulose can use long term if you do not develop side effects. But final treatment will be decided by your doctor after neurologist evaluation.
Amitiza only approved for women not for men.
I appreciate your maintaining about diet.
Benefiber and oil supplements help you. Probiotic capsules will help you.
Ispaghula husk may help you.
I would like to give you a link regarding treatment.
http://www.webmd.com/ibs/treating-constipation
I guess already you know all about these.
If you have any queries I will be happy to help you.
Thank you.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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