Constipation is a part of life, even though no one likes to talk about it. Most people have felt the symptoms at some point, whether they were at home with that uncomfortable feeling or at work and wished they weren’t there. Things on the market help with digestion, which is good news.
Miralax, which is one of these products, is a great way to get things moving. Miralax is not just a pill you take, like many other laxatives. Before you take it, you have to mix it with liquid.
This makes people who like coffee wonder, “Can you put Miralax in coffee?”
Those with stomach problems who can’t live without their coffee will be happy to hear that the answer is yes. However, you should be aware that it may make the effects of the medicine work faster.
Let’s look at Miralax, constipation, and coffee in more detail so you can decide if you want to put Miralax in your morning coffee.
Table of Contents
What is Miralax?
Miralax is a type of medicine called an osmotic laxative. It contains polyethylene glycol 3350, which is an osmotic agent that treats occasional constipation. As the name suggests, osmotic laxatives work by pulling water into your colon and keeping it there.
Doing this adds water to your stool and makes it softer. This makes you have more bowel movements, which relieves constipation. Miralax also clears out your system without giving you any stomach problems.
Miralax is used to treat short-term constipation and chronic constipation over a long period of time. Let’s look at how well Miralax works in these kinds of treatments.
- Miralax is used to treat occasional bouts of constipation on a short-term basis. But it takes between one and three days for the medicine to work.
- Long-term treatment for chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC): The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) found that the chronic idiopathic constipation symptoms get better with Miralax. Miralax works better than a placebo in this case because it encourages regular bowel movements, reduces staining, and normalizes the consistency of stools. Miralax also helps reduce abdominal pain, burping, bloating, and flatulence when it is taken regularly.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) treatment: Miralax helps with constipation, but it doesn’t seem to help with IBS.
Can You Put Miralax in Coffee?: (Easy Steps)
Can You Put Miralax in Coffee. Yes, Miralax can be put into your coffee. Several studies have shown that mixing Miralax with coffee makes the laxative effect of the drug stronger. Also, coffee makes your intestinal muscles and colon contract, which moves your body’s waste toward your rectum, the last part of your digestive tract.
Most of the time, Miralax works well and has few side effects when it is taken as directed. But extra care should be taken with children and people who already have health problems.
Miralax: How to Use It?
Miralax comes in the form of a powder that dissolves easily in hot or cold drinks. Here are some steps to take Miralax correctly.
1. Use the Cap on the Bottle to Measure Your Dose of Miralax.
All of the lids for Miralax bottles can be used as measuring cups. So, once you open the bottle of Miralax, look inside for a cap that says “up to 17 grams.” The right amount of Miralax for single use is 17 grams. If you don’t want to measure out the dose, you can also buy a box of single-dose packets of Miralax.
Put 17 grams of Miralax into the bottle cap. You can tap or shake the top of the bottle to make sure the medicine is level and at the right gram line.
Also, don’t take a bigger dose of Miralax unless your doctor tells you to. Also, you should talk to a doctor before giving Miralax to a child under the age of 17.
2. Add Miralax to the Liquid of Your Choice.
As was already said, Miralax can be taken with cold, hot, or room-temperature drinks. In 120ml of the drink, one dose of Miralax will dissolve. But you’ll get the best results if you mix Miralax into 240ml of the drink, which is about the same as an 8-ounce cup of coffee.
Since Miralax has no taste and isn’t gritty, you can mix it with drinks like plain water, coffee, tea, iced coffee, smoothies, lime juice, white cranberry juice, iced water, coconut water, iced tea, seltzer, or orange juice.
Most importantly, don’t mix Miralax with alcoholic drinks, syrupy substances, or carbonated drinks like soda, because stirring the mixture could cause it to bubble over, which would weaken the product.
3. Mix it Up and Drink it.
Stir the mixture with a spoon until there are no Miralax flecks left to see. Drink the mixture within 10 to 15 minutes, since letting it sit for longer will make it thicker and harder to drink.
You can also only mix the drink when you are ready to drink the whole thing. Also, stir the mixture every time you take a sip to make sure the medicine doesn’t settle to the bottom.
Miralax Dosage Tips:
- The dose of Miralax should only be taken once a day. You also don’t have to take the medicine at the same time every day. You can take it whenever you want. But you shouldn’t take Miralax more than once unless your doctor tells you to.
- If your doctor doesn’t tell you otherwise, you shouldn’t take Miralax for more than a week. Also, see a doctor if you last went to the bathroom 7 days after taking Miralax. Miralax should help you go to the bathroom within 3 days.
- If Miralax helps you have regular bowel movements, for example, you can stop taking it until you need it again.
- You can take Miralax whether you are full or hungry.
- Miralax should be kept at room temperature and away from both heat and water.
Things to Keep in Mind When Using Miralax:
As we’ve already talked about, the main ingredient in Miralax is polyethylene glycol, which is an active osmotic agent. If you are allergic to the ingredient, you should speak with a doctor before using Miralax. Just as important, you should speak with your doctor before taking the drug if you have certain health problems, such as:
- Kidney disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Disorders of eating like bulimia and anorexia
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Blocked intestines
- Bowel obstruction
- Severe stomach pain, feeling sick or throwing up
If you have intestinal blockages or bowel obstructions and take Miralax, you could have side effects that could kill you. Therefore, consult a doctor before taking Miralax if you have the listed conditions.
Miralax may also interact with some common prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements. So, if you are taking any medications or supplements, talk to your doctor before taking Miralax.
Some of the drugs that are incompatible with Miralax include ibuprofen, oxycodone, acetaminophen, alprazolam, aspirin, melatonin, prednisone, and omeprazole, among others. Potential interactions of Miralax with these drugs may cause symptoms such as cramping, and dizziness.
Also, consult a doctor if you experience negative side effects after consuming Miralax.
Usually, Miralax is well-tolerated by most people. However, quit using Miralax and consult a doctor if you experience the following side effects:
- Severe diarrhea
- Irregular spotting
- Severe stomach pain, feeling sick or throwing up
- If you don’t have a bowel movement in 8 hours,
- Some allergic reactions are itching, sneezing, trouble breathing, a rash, and feeling very dizzy.
Talk to a doctor about the right amount of Miralax to give to a child under 17 years old. This is because too much Miralax can cause watery stools, which can lead to dehydration, and too little can make the medicine not work.
Also, stop giving your child Miralax and talk to a doctor if your child has any side effects from taking the drug. Some of these side effects are:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Rectal bleeding
- Abdominal pain
The doctor may advise you to give a pre-teen or teen the regular dose of 17 grams of Miralax. On the other hand, the doctor might tell a younger child to take only half the dose. For a half-dose, you will need to measure the drug halfway between the lines.
How much Miralax a child under 17 should take depends on how old and how much they weigh. So, tell your doctor how old and how much your child weighs so he or she can give the right dose.
Preparation for a Colonoscopy with Miralax:
Miralax is used to clean out the intestines before a colonoscopy or surgery on the intestines. Before you get a colonoscopy, the doctor will give you specific instructions to follow. Some of the instructions could be:
- Buy a 64 fl oz bottle of clear liquid and a regular-sized container of Miralax (238 grams) (a sports drink like Gatorade is recommended). This is due to the fact that Gatorade restores electrolytes that are lost when feces are eliminated from the body. On the other hand, you shouldn’t use orange, crimson, purple, or any other dark-colored liquid. Pick between a colorless or very light-yellow liquid.
- Shake the entire amount of liquid with the entire amount of Miralax. Keep it in the fridge, as doing so improves the flavor. However, strictly adhere to your doctor’s orders.
- Take the Miralax concoction orally prior to the operation. The doctor’s prescription must be followed to the letter. If you don’t do it exactly as described, you might have to start over later.
Bottom Line:
Don’t worry if you have a little bit of gas in your stomach. You can safely ask for help from Miralax without giving up your coffee. You can even use your favorite drink to mix the ingredients and deal with the problem while you enjoy a nice cup. But if you can, you might need to stay at home for a while when things finally get going. We hope that you might get the idea that can you put Miralax in coffee.
FAQs:
When in the Day is the Best Time to Take Miralax?
If your doctor doesn’t tell you otherwise, you can take Miralax at any time of the day. But Miralax is better to take during the day than at night if it makes you have to go to the bathroom. Miralax should only be taken once a day.
What Drinks are Best to Mix with Miralax?
Miralax can be mixed with anything that is clear. They include water, white grape, white cranberry, coffee and tea without cream or milk (you can use sugar or lemon), strained fruit juices with no pulp, chicken broth, popsicles (but not red ones), yellow Gatorade only, lemonade, limeade, and Jell-O. (no red). Also, don’t mix Milarax with alcoholic drinks or drinks with carbonation.
Does Miralax Cause You to Gain Weight?
Some people say that Miralax can make you gain weight. But there is no evidence to back up these claims.
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