DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Magnesium Hydroxide Suspension (mag-NEE-zee-um)
Brand Name: Dulcolax Milk of Magnesia and Phillips Milk of Magnesia

Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension is used for:

Treating acid indigestion, heartburn, sour stomach, and constipation. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension is an antacid. It works by neutralizing the acid in the stomach and by stimulating the bowels to move.

Do NOT use Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension:

Some medical conditions may interact with Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have appendicitis, stomach pain, a blockage of your bowels, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney problems, rectal bleeding of unknown cause, or if you have had bowel surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because side effects may be increased by Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension
• Azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), bisphosphonates (eg, alendronate), cation exchange resins (eg, sodium polystyrene sulfonate), cephalosporins (eg, cephalexin), mycophenolate, penicillamine, quinolone antibiotics (eg, ciprofloxacin), or tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline) because effectiveness may be decreased by Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension:

Use Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension may be taken with or without food. Take with a full glass of water or other liquid.
• Shake well before using.
• Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.
• If you miss taking a dose of Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension for 1 or more days, there is no cause for concern. If your doctor recommended that you take it, try to remember your dose every day.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension.

Important safety information:

• Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension usually causes a bowel movement within 30 minutes to 6 hours of using it. If you do not have a bowel movement after using Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension, contact your doctor.
• Do not exceed the recommended dose or use the maximum dose for more than 1 week without checking with your doctor. If your symptoms do not improve within 1 week or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
• Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 2 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is unknown if Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant while taking Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension during pregnancy. It is unknown if Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); loss of appetite; muscle weakness; nausea; slow reflexes; vomiting.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; stomach cramps.

Proper storage of Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension:

Store Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Phillips Milk of Magnesia Suspension. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.