Difference Between Miralax Vs Metamucil

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Aanchal Rao
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Miralax Vs Metamucil

Do you want to know Miralax Vs Metamucil? Metamucil is a type of medicine that helps you have regular bowel movements. It has a special kind of fibre called Psyllium. Miralax is another type of medicine that helps with constipation. It contains a substance called polyethene glycol 3350.

What do you understand by Metamucil?

Explanation

Metamucil is a kind of medicine that helps treat constipation. It contains Psyllium fibre, which works by making the contents in your intestines bigger and bulkier. This helps to stimulate bowel movements and relieve constipation.

Ingredients and their working

The main thing in Metamucil is Psyllium husk, which comes from a plant called Plantago ovata. /You can take Metamucil in two ways: either as a pill or as a powder that you mix with water.

How does it work

The Psyllium in Metamucil makes the stuff in your colon bigger, which helps you poop more easily. Studies showed that people who took Metamucil had more stuff in their colon, ranging from 372 mL to 578 mL. The same study also found that people who took Metamucil had more water in their colon after eating than those who did not. The extra water and bulk in the colon make the poop softer, which makes it easier for someone who is constipated to pass.

Uses

Metamucil is a type of medicine that contains a special kind of fibre. It is used to help people who sometimes have trouble pooping. This medicine usually helps you poop within 12 to 72 hours after taking it.

Advantages

Research has found that Metamucil has some advantages beyond treating constipation. It can also help people who have high cholesterol by lowering it. This may happen because the Psyllium in Metamucil affects the reabsorption of bile salts. Additionally, studies have shown promising results for blood sugar control, especially in people with type 2 diabetes, with Psyllium in Metamucil being helpful in this regard.

Disadvantages

Using this type of laxative may not be safe for someone who has had a blockage in their intestines before. It’s important to drink enough water when taking it to prevent choking because the Psyllium fibre expands when it gets wet. If it gets stuck in the throat, it can cause choking. Metamucil is generally not recommended for people with slow digestion, as it can cause loss of appetite and delay stomach emptying.

What do you understand by Miralax?

Explanation

Miralax is a type of medicine that helps with constipation. It is an osmotic laxative that contains a substance called polyethene glycol 3350, which is commonly known as PEG.

Ingredients and how to use them

The main thing in Miralax is a synthetic substance called polyethene glycol 3350. It is made in a lab and comes as a powder. To take Miralax, you add the powder to a drink and consume it.

How does it work

Miralax works by helping the colon hold on to water, which makes the poop softer and easier to pass. It may sound similar to Metamucil, but the difference is that Miralax doesn’t swell up or increase the size of the poop. Instead, it affects the water content in the colon, which leads to more frequent bowel movements. It does this through a process called osmosis, where the PEG in Miralax attracts water into the colon, softening the poop.

Uses

Miralax is helpful for treating temporary, short-term constipation. It has been proven to increase the number of bowel movements in studies, with people having an average of 4.5 bowel movements per week compared to 2.7 in the group that did not take it. Additionally, it is used as a bowel prep for people who need to have a colonoscopy.

Advantages

Miralax is highly effective in thoroughly cleaning the bowel for individuals requiring a colonoscopy. It is also helpful in easing constipation.

Disadvantages

In some cases, Miralax can cause severe diarrhoea, and it has the potential to become habit-forming if used too frequently. Severe diarrhoea caused by laxative use can be risky as it can lead to dehydration and loss of important minerals from the body, known as electrolytes. Let us discuss Miralax Vs Metamucil:

Difference between Miralax Vs Metamucil

Definition

Metamucil is a type of laxative that helps make the poop bulkier. Miralax is a different kind of laxative that works by drawing water into the colon.

Active ingredients

Metamucil contains Psyllium husk, which is a natural fibre. Miralax contains Polyethylene glycol 3350, which is a man-made substance.

Impact on the colon

Metamucil absorbs water and expands, making the stuff in the colon bigger. Miralax helps the colon hold on to water, making the poop softer and easier to pass.

Advantages

In addition to treating constipation, Metamucil has the added benefits of lowering cholesterol and helping control blood sugar levels. Miralax is especially effective for cleansing the colon before a colonoscopy procedure.

Disadvantages

Metamucil can be risky for someone with a blockage in their intestines, and it can cause choking if not taken with sufficient water. On the other hand, Miralax has the potential to be habit-forming for some people and can also cause excessive diarrhoea, leading to dangerous dehydration.

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