wht is 'milk of magnesia'?In which products do we find it?

Answer 1

Milk of Magnesia or Magnesium Hydroxide, Mg(OH)2 is a saline osmotic (hydrating) laxative. The name derives from the suspension's milky white appearance and the magnesium in its composition.


History
The term "Milk of Magnesia" was first used to describe a white aqueous, mildly alkaline suspension of magnesium hydroxide formulated at about 8%w/v by Charles Henry Phillips in 1880 and sold under the brand name Phillips' Milk of Magnesia for medicinal usage. Although the name may at some point have been owned by GlaxoSmithKline, USPTO registrations show "Milk of Magnesia" to be registered to Bayer [1], and "Phillips Milk of Magnesia" is registered to Sterling Drug [2]. In the UK, the non-brand (generic) name of "Milk of Magnesia" and "Phillips Milk of Magnesia" is "Cream of Magnesia" (Magnesium Hydroxide Mixture, BP).

Pharmaceutical uses
Available over-the-counter, milk of magnesia is primarily used in alleviating constipation, but can also be used to relieve indigestion and heartburn. When taken internally by mouth as a laxative, the osmotic force of the magnesia suspension acts to draw fluids from the body and to retain those already within the lumen of the intestine, serving to distend the bowel, thus stimulating nerves within the colon wall, inducing peristalsis and resulting in evacuation of colonic contents. It is also used as an antacid, though more modern formulations combining the antimotility effects of equal concentrations of aluminum hydroxide to avoid unwanted laxative usage.

According to MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, milk of magnesia is useful against canker sores (aphthous ulcer).

Answer 2

Milk of magnesia is a trade name for a product that is a solution of dissolved/suspended magnesium.Magnesium is an element and it is what we call a one of the 'white metals'.It is a necessary nutrient just like calcium[also a metal].Take enough of it and it can cause diarea-in other words it can help constipation.
The milk part refers to the color of the liquid-looks like milk.

Answer 3

it is for constipation- it gets things moveing for ya. It is just called milk of magnesia-- there are diferent brands Phillips is the most popular,it comes in liquid form usually in a blue bottle.

Answer 4

You can find milk of magnesia in something called Phillips it is a chalky-tasting liquid.
Go to this sight for more info
http://www.irritable-bowel-syndrome.ws/milk-of-magnesia.htm

Answer 5

If you are constipated it can act as a laxative