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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Chronic Diarrhea After Taking Milk Of Magnesia For Constipation?

Can milk of magnesia cause severe diarrhea even after 24 hours have passed since taking it? I took it for relief of constipation around 4:00 a.m. yesterday and it worked within three hours. But then I started getting the worst diarrhea and all I had taken was a single dose of this medicine(about two tablespoons or 30 ml). Later in the day I took a small dose of Pepto-Bismol and it relieved the symptoms for the rest of the day but then the diarrhea came back the following day even worse. I have IBS-D that sometimes alternates with constipation. I was taking the milk of magnesia to relieve the constipation. I have had so many bowel movements today that I lost count.
Thu, 4 Jul 2019
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi,

Noted your history of suffering from IBS-D, took milk of magnesia for relieving constipation but followed by diarrhea.
Surely, 30 ml f milk magnesia is rarely known to cause such a severe diarrhea.
Hence I would advise you the following in such a situation:
Since diarrhea is severe there is a chance of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Please consult your Doctor or go to ER for clinical evaluation, examination and also get the necessary investigations od stool, blood and urine to detect whether there is any evidence of an intestinal infection.
If the infection is present then you may need a course of an antibiotic active against intestinal infection.
Also needed is to take probiotics.
You may be given Loperamide if the diarrhea is severe and frequent.
Take plenty of oral fluids and electrolyte solution.
Intravenous fluid and electrolytes, antibiotics, symptomatic and supportive management as needed.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. T Chandrakant, ENT & General Surgeon
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What Causes Chronic Diarrhea After Taking Milk Of Magnesia For Constipation?

Hi, Noted your history of suffering from IBS-D, took milk of magnesia for relieving constipation but followed by diarrhea. Surely, 30 ml f milk magnesia is rarely known to cause such a severe diarrhea. Hence I would advise you the following in such a situation: Since diarrhea is severe there is a chance of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Please consult your Doctor or go to ER for clinical evaluation, examination and also get the necessary investigations od stool, blood and urine to detect whether there is any evidence of an intestinal infection. If the infection is present then you may need a course of an antibiotic active against intestinal infection. Also needed is to take probiotics. You may be given Loperamide if the diarrhea is severe and frequent. Take plenty of oral fluids and electrolyte solution. Intravenous fluid and electrolytes, antibiotics, symptomatic and supportive management as needed. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. T Chandrakant, ENT & General Surgeon