Milk Of Magnesia Coupons & Prices

Milk of Magnesia (generic name magnesium hydroxide) is an over-the-counter saline laxative and antacid that's sold without a prescription at any pharmacy, but many shoppers still search for a milk-of-magnesia coupon because store prices for OTC products can vary a lot from one pharmacy to the next; enter your ZIP above to see today's price near you and compare it against the shelf price before you buy.

What Is Milk of Magnesia and How Does It Work?

Milk of Magnesia is the common name for liquid magnesium hydroxide, sold under the well-known brand Phillips' Milk of Magnesia as well as various store-brand and generic "Milk of Magnesia" or "Magnesium Hydroxide Oral Suspension" labels. Under the FDA's OTC monograph, it's approved for two uses: as a laxative for occasional constipation (it typically produces a bowel movement in 30 minutes to 6 hours) and as an antacid for heartburn, sour stomach, and acid indigestion.

As a laxative, magnesium hydroxide works by drawing water into the intestines, which softens stool and stimulates a bowel movement. As an antacid, the magnesium compound neutralizes stomach acid. You may see other uses mentioned online, such as applying it to skin for acne or sunburn, but those are not FDA-approved uses and the evidence behind them is anecdotal at best.

How to Save on Milk of Magnesia

Because Milk of Magnesia is available generically and sold as a store brand almost everywhere, it's already one of the more accessible over-the-counter options, but the price you pay can still differ between pharmacies. Since it's OTC, there's no manufacturer copay card to apply for here — instead, the best way to save is to compare prices across nearby pharmacies and use an Rx.com coupon at checkout where accepted, since some OTC products end up cheaper with a coupon or when a pharmacist rings it up under a linked prescription program than at the standard shelf price.

Enter your ZIP code above to see current pricing at pharmacies near you, and check the price of both the name-brand Phillips' product and the store/generic version before you buy, since they contain the same active ingredient.

Milk of Magnesia vs. Other Laxatives and Antacids

Milk of Magnesia is one of several OTC options for constipation and heartburn, and the right one depends on what you're treating and how fast you need relief. For constipation, Miralax (an osmotic laxative) tends to work more gradually over 1 to 3 days and is often used for longer-term or gentler relief, while stimulant laxatives like Dulcolax and senna trigger intestinal muscle contractions rather than drawing in water. Colace (docusate) is a stool softener, which is milder and generally used to prevent straining rather than to treat existing constipation.

If heartburn or acid indigestion is the main concern rather than constipation, a dedicated antacid like Tums may be a more familiar option, though Milk of Magnesia is also labeled for that use. Talk to a pharmacist if you're not sure which is the better fit for your symptoms.

Safety Information

Milk of Magnesia is sold over-the-counter and doesn't carry a boxed warning, but the label does include some important cautions. Don't use it as a laxative for more than 1 week unless a doctor tells you to, and don't use it if you're already taking another magnesium-containing product unless directed by a doctor. Ask a doctor before use if you have kidney disease, are on a magnesium-restricted diet, have abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, or have had a change in bowel habits lasting more than 2 weeks.

• Stop use and contact a doctor if you have rectal bleeding or don't have a bowel movement after use, as these can signal a bowel obstruction.
• Overuse can cause diarrhea, cramping, or electrolyte disturbances (excess magnesium), particularly in people with kidney impairment.
• Ask a doctor before giving it to children under 2 (as a laxative) or under 12 (as an antacid) unless a doctor directs otherwise.

This information isn't a substitute for medical advice — check with your doctor or pharmacist about whether Milk of Magnesia is right for you.