Both Colace and Miralax are orally administered, over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives used to alleviate occasional, short-term constipation. Which is a condition affecting approximately four million people in the United States. Colace, which contains the active ingredient docusate, functions as more of a stool softener. In contrast to that, Miralax, which contains the active ingredient polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG3350), is classified as an osmotic laxative.
Both Colace and Miralax are available under various brand names and generic formulations. While often considered similar, Colace and Miralax have notable differences in their dosing guidelines, potential side effects, modes of administration, and off-label uses.
Key Takeaways
Colace and Miralax are orally administered laxatives that can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC). And are used to alleviate constipation. Colace, which contains the active ingredient docusate, functions as more of a stool softener. In contrast to that, Miralax, which contains the active ingredient polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG3350), is classified as an osmotic laxative.
Use of both drugs while pregnant or after pregnancy don’t seem to have any special precautions with them. Similarly, patients who use the drugs after surgery usually follow the identical precautions than those who don’t have any surgical precautions.
Stool softeners like Colace (Docusate Sodium) are usually not very effective when you’re already constipated. While Miralax (Polyethylene Glycol 3350) is more effective at dealing with the signs of constipation once they’re already prevalent.
General Comparison of Colace and Miralax
Here is a general comparison of Colace (Docusate Sodium) and Miralax (Polyethylene Glycol 3350).
Feature | Colace (Docusate Sodium) | Miralax (Polyethylene Glycol 3350) |
Class | Stool Softener | Osmotic Laxative |
Mechanism of Action | Increases the amount of water the stool absorbs in the gut, making the stool softer and easier to pass. | Draws water into the bowel from surrounding body tissues, resulting in softer stools and increased bowel movements. |
Dosage Forms | Capsules, liquid, syrup, tablets | Powder for solution |
Usual Adult Dose | 50-300 mg daily, divided doses | 17 grams (about 1 heaping tablespoon) dissolved in 4-8 ounces of beverage once daily |
Time to Effect | 12 to 72 hours | 1 to 3 days |
Indications | Relief of occasional constipation, generally used when straining should be avoided | Relief of occasional constipation |
Side Effects | Throat irritation, mild cramps, diarrhea | Bloating, gas, cramping, diarrhea |
Contraindications | Intestinal obstruction, hypersensitivity to docusate | Known or suspected bowel obstruction |
Pregnancy Category | C (Risk not ruled out) | C (Risk not ruled out) |
Source |
Comparing Colace and Mirala Use While Pregnant
When comparing which drug you may want to take for issues of constipation while pregnant, here is what you might want to know:
Colace (Docusate Sodium)
Safety During Pregnancy:
Colace is classified as Pregnancy Category C by the FDA. This means that risk to the fetus cannot be ruled out. There are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women, so Colace should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed.
Precautions and Instructions:
Dosage Amount: Follow the recommended dosage and avoid prolonged use unless directed by a healthcare provider.
Common Side Effects: Be aware of potential side effects such as throat irritation, mild cramps, and diarrhea.
Hydration Issues: Ensure adequate fluid intake to support the medication’s function and prevent dehydration.
Miralax (Polyethylene Glycol 3350)
Safety During Pregnancy:
Very similar to Colace, Miralax is also classified as Pregnancy Category C by the FDA. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Miralax should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Precautions and Instructions:
Dosage Amount: Use the recommended dose and avoid exceeding it without medical advice.
Common Side Effects: Watch for possible side effects like bloating, gas, cramping, and diarrhea.
Hydration Issues: Maintain proper hydration to help the medication work effectively and to prevent dehydration.
General Recommendations
Always consult a Healthcare Provider: As a general precaution, it’s always helpful to discuss with a primary care physician before starting any new medication during pregnancy.
Follow the instructions: Always adhere to the dosage and administration instructions provided by the healthcare provider or as indicated on the packaging when you pick up your medication.
Monitor for Side Effects: Pay close attention to any adverse effects and report them to your healthcare provider as soon as you start experiencing them.
Adequate Hydration: Ensure sufficient fluid intake to aid the effectiveness of the laxatives and to prevent dehydration.
After Birth and Postpartum
Generally speaking, due to the nature of both of these medications, the precautions listed above will also serve as your postpartum instructions for taking any of the medications.
Milk of Magnesia vs. Colace and Miralax
Milk of Magnesia is not an uncommon choice for those experiencing issues of constipation. Here’s how it stacks up against both Colace and Miralax.
Feature | Colace (Docusate Sodium) | Miralax (Polyethylene Glycol 3350) | Milk of Magnesia (Magnesium Hydroxide) |
Class | Stool Softener | Osmotic Laxative | Saline Laxative |
Mechanism of Action | Increases water absorption in stool to soften it | Draws water into the bowel to soften stool and increase bowel movements | Draws water into the intestines to induce bowel movements |
Dosage Forms | Capsules, liquid, syrup, tablets | Powder for solution | Liquid, chewable tablets |
Usual Adult Dose | 50-300 mg daily, divided doses | 17 grams (about 1 heaping tablespoon) dissolved in 4-8 ounces of beverage once daily | 30-60 mL liquid or 2-4 chewable tablets |
Time to Effect | 12 to 72 hours | 1 to 3 days | 30 minutes to 6 hours |
Indications | Relief of occasional constipation, recommended when straining should be avoided | Relief of occasional constipation | Relief of occasional constipation, upset stomach due to acid indigestion |
Side Effects | Throat irritation, mild cramps, diarrhea | Bloating, gas, cramping, diarrhea | Diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance, abdominal cramping |
Contraindications | Intestinal obstruction, hypersensitivity to docusate | Known or suspected bowel obstruction | Severe kidney disease, severe dehydration, bowel obstruction |
Pregnancy Category | C (Risk not ruled out) | C (Risk not ruled out) | Not officially categorized, but generally considered safe with caution and medical advice |
Source(s) |
What Patients are Saying about Colace and Miralax
In the Reddit thread discussing Colace and Miralax, users are comparing the two medications for alleviating constipation. The discussion has gone into the following directions:
Effectiveness and Speed: There are some Users in the threat that note that Miralax tends to work faster and is more effective for severe constipation issues. While Colace is gentler and works more slowly, making it better for mild cases or for those who need to avoid straining.
Side Effects: There are mentions of the different side effects associated with each medication. Miralax can cause bloating and gas, whereas Colace is more likely to cause mild cramps and throat irritation.
Usage Recommendations: A number of Users in the thread said that Miralax is more for immediate relief and Colace for longer-term use or as a preventative measure. They also suggest consulting with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
The experiences described in the thread happen to line up fairly well with what can be seen in clinical trials and on the FDA labels for both medications.
Common Questions
Common questions about both Colace and Miralax:
Can I use the two medications together?
While there are no clinical issues related to taking the drugs in combination, it may not be the best idea to mix these two drugs that are intended to solve the same problem. It’s recommended that you choose either one or the other when attempting to deal with your constipation.
Is there anything better than Miralax on the market?
Many patients report that Dulcolax is a much better treatment option for constipation than Miralax. Dulcolax is a stimulant laxative that works faster than Miralax. While Dulcolax tablets produce a bowel movement in 6 to 12 hours, the suppositories work much faster, producing a bowel movement within 1 hour.
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Sources
DailyMed. (n.d.). Colace (docusate sodium) drug information. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=267de1ce-baa2-5a0b-e054-00144ff8d46c
DailyMed. (n.d.). Miralax (polyethylene glycol 3350) drug information. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a1c1b1a6-13af-4368-96fb-253ffb8e1833
Health Canada. (n.d.). Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) product monograph. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00022698.PDF
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (1999). Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) label. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/1999/20698pi.pdf
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