Milk of Magnesia Side Effects

The milk of magnesia is almost like a folk-lore and has been available since a long time as a wonder drug of the stomach. Although there are a few milk of magnesia side effects associated with it they can be treated and are not life threatening. The milk of magnesia has very little solubility and therefore those that actually dissolve stay disassociated.

This disassociated magnesium hydroxide is then considered as a strong electrolyte. When the milk of magnesia is suspended on water it is then used as antacid to effectively check the acid in the stomach and as a laxative.

Different forms of milk of magnesia

Milk of magnesia is the more common name of magnesium hydroxide and is an inorganic compound used for the treatment of stomach acid and as a laxative. The drug is also commonly found in other drugs as a component. There are a few side effects associated with the drug and this may be moderate to severe.

Milk of magnesia is available in several forms for the convenience of the people. For medical purpose it is available as a chewable tablet and then who wishes to swallow it is available in the form of capsule. Again, the milk of magnesia is available in its liquid form and which comes in a variety of flavors.

The milk of magnesia when it reaches the intestine exerts its osmosis force and helps in drawing fluid from the system. This helps in keeping the bowel clean and thereby acting to stimulate the nerves of the colon wall. This results in exclusion of colon matters out of the system and ensuring an all round normalization of the digestive system.

Milk of magnesia side effects may follow as there is a lot of reaction that is stimulated by the compound and this may vary from patient to patient. The side effects are however treatable.

Various medicinal and non medicinal uses of the drug

The milk of magnesia is a wonder medication as it can be applied in several other areas where the symptoms are not related to acidity. For instance the medicine has effective use in removing inflammatory skin disorder of the scalp, the face and the torso. It is usually applied and massaged on the effected area and then after a few minutes is washed off.

Apart from the above the medicine is also applied for removing dandruff from the hair of both men and women.

Some deodorant sprays have milk of magnesia content and these are effectively used as anti-perspiring substance. Milk of magnesia side effects are common and this is markedly so with the action it has due to diarrhea caused by it. In such cases of diarrhea the supply of body’s potassium lowers considerably and thus it can lead to muscle cramp. However, the same can be replenished by diets as magnesium is a naturally occurring element.

Yet milk of magnesia is a great element as it has it uses which the human body cannot do without. This is especially so in the case of muscles and nerves where the element magnesium stimulates it for optimum performance. Then there is yet another matter that usually goes unnoticed. This is the loosening of the defecation due to the effects of milk of magnesia.

In this way constipation can be reduced and also help in digestion of foods in the stomach and thus effectively drive out heart burn. However, the medicine is not to be taken if the patient has an allergy to it and experiences difficulties within the body system.

It is imperative to consult with the doctor if the medication has to be continued for more than one week. There can be complications and after effects if the medication doesn’t bring about the required results.

What are the milk of magnesia side effects?

In a previous post, I have spoken about the various trimethoprim side effects. The side effects of milk of magnesia may not sound all that dangerous unlike the other drugs yet they remain very much there and the doctor is the best person to seek advice. The drug has to be taken as per the prescription to bring about the optimum level of performance and at the same time to limit the dosage such that an overdose does not take place.

There are several side effects yet these are not quite serious and can disappear once the treatment stops. The doctor may also stop treatment with the medication if he or she believes that the patient’s health is too weak or that the patient is taking other medications relating to some surgery in and around the intestine or the stomach. In some patients’ nausea, vomiting and low blood pressure must be monitored as they tend to become quite serious at a later stage. There are a few who have slow heart beat, feeling of drowsiness.

Among the most serious adverse effect of the drug is coma which if not managed or treated properly can result in the death of the patient. Therefore, it is imperative that the milk of magnesia side effects ought to be checked up by a good doctor. Stay tuned for my next post on losartan side effects.