Two medicines, side by side
Polyethylene glycol 3350 vs magnesium hydroxide
Polyethylene glycol 3350 and magnesium hydroxide are both labeled for constipation. Pharmacies paid $0.0286 per gram (Polyethylene glycol 3350 powd) and $0.0095 per mL (Milk of magnesia suspension) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the polyethylene glycol 3350 FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 4, 2026); the magnesium hydroxide FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 21, 2026).
Highlights of the polyethylene glycol 3350 record
Polyethylene glycol 3350 (Miralax) · label of May 4, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsrelieves occasional constipation (irregularity) generally produces a bowel movement in 1 to 3 days
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 18, 1999
- Generic labelers
- 69 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0286 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Highlights of the magnesium hydroxide record
Magnesium hydroxide · label of August 21, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsrelieves occasional constipation (irregularity). This product usually produces bowel movement in 1/2 to 6 hours.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0095 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 6
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Polyethylene glycol 3350 label of May 4, 2026, Magnesium hydroxide label of August 21, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do polyethylene glycol 3350 and magnesium hydroxide differ on the record?
Generics: polyethylene glycol 3350 since 2004; magnesium hydroxide none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Polyethylene glycol 3350 | Magnesium hydroxide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Constipation | Constipation, Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Osmotic Laxative | n/a |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 18, 1999 | n/a |
| First generic approved | July 2, 2004 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 69 labelers | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0286 per gram (Polyethylene glycol 3350 powd) | $0.0095 per mL (Milk of magnesia suspension) |
| 12-month price change | -1% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 6 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 105,254 | 13,458 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to polyethylene glycol 3350
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions