Exposing the Dark Side of MiraLAX: Antifreeze Chemicals and Neuropsychiatric Risks

Is the most popular laxative for kids doing more harm than good? The disturbing truth about MiraLAX will make you think twice before giving it to your child.

MiraLAX, the most widely prescribed laxative for children, contains chemicals found in antifreeze and has been linked to neuropsychiatric side effects. Despite FDA tests detecting contaminants and thousands of adverse event reports, the drug remains on the market. Research suggests natural remedies like molasses may be a safer alternative.

MiraLAX Under Scrutiny: Antifreeze Chemicals and Alarming Side Effects

MiraLAX, a laxative containing polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG 3350), has become the go-to treatment for childhood constipation. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that this widely prescribed drug may pose serious risks to children's health.

PEG 3350, the active ingredient in MiraLAX, is a petroleum-based compound used commercially in antifreeze.¹ Despite being recommended only for individuals over 17, pediatricians routinely prescribe MiraLAX off-label to children as young as a few months old.² Animal studies have linked PEG to intestinal inflammation and tissue damage, raising concerns about its long-term effects on developing digestive systems.³

In 2014, the FDA awarded $325,000 to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to investigate reports of neuropsychiatric side effects in children taking MiraLAX.⁴ Parents had filed thousands of adverse event reports describing symptoms such as mood swings, aggression, and paranoia in their children after using the laxative.⁵ Disturbingly, the study was halted in 2019 before completion, leaving families without answers.⁶

As of December 2023, the FDA's adverse event database listed over 34,000 reports of adverse reactions to MiraLAX, including 2,550 serious cases.⁷ Even more concerning, the FDA's own tests detected small amounts of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, key ingredients in antifreeze, in every batch of MiraLAX they examined.⁸ These results were never disclosed to the public.

So what can parents do when faced with a child struggling with constipation? Recent research suggests that a natural remedy found in most pantries - blackstrap molasses - may be just as effective as MiraLAX, without the potential risks.

A randomized, double-blind study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology compared molasses syrup to PEG in 92 children with chronic constipation. After one month, both treatments significantly improved symptoms, with no significant differences in efficacy. However, the molasses group experienced no adverse effects, leading researchers to conclude that molasses syrup is a safe and effective natural alternative to PEG laxatives.⁹

The minerals found in blackstrap molasses, such as magnesium and potassium, likely contribute to its gentle laxative properties.¹⁰ Unlike PEG, which has no nutritional value and may disrupt the gut lining, molasses provides nourishment while promoting regularity.

These findings underscore the importance of considering natural alternatives before turning to potentially harmful pharmaceutical interventions, especially when it comes to treating children. With mounting evidence of MiraLAX's risks and the availability of safer options like molasses, it's time for parents and healthcare providers to rethink the conventional approach to childhood constipation.

For more research on natural ways to address constipation, visit our databaseon the subject here.