There have been several key clinical studies involving MiraLAX.

Reference 1

Efficacy and Safety of Traditional Medical Therapies for Chronic Constipation: Systematic Review.

Ramkumar D et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005;100:936-971.

  • The results of 37 years of clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of laxatives were studied and compared to make guideline recommendations for their use
  • The best evidence found supports the use of polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX) and tegaserod
  • Considerable evidence also supported the use of psyllium and lactulose

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Study 1

New Polyethylene Glycol Laxative for Treatment of Constipation in Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Cleveland MV et al. South Med J. 2001;94:478-481.

  • Evaluated the safety and effectiveness of MiraLAX in people with constipation
  • 23 patients with constipation were given the normal daily dose (17 grams) of MiraLAX or a placebo and were watched for any changes in how often they had bowel movements
  • After 14 days, patients given MiraLAX had significantly (P=.0001) more bowel movements than those on placebo, and they had no serious side effects

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Study 2

An Efficacy and Consumer Preference Study of Polyethylene Glycol 3350 for the Treatment of Constipation in Regular Laxative Users.

Data on File.

  • 74 patients with constipation used MiraLAX instead of their usual laxative for up to 2 weeks
  • Number of bowel movements nearly doubled with MiraLAX, while there was less complaint of gas and bloating
  • More than two thirds of patients in this study preferred MiraLAX to their usual laxative

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Study 3

A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study of the Safety and Efficacy of a New Polyethylene Glycol Laxative.

DiPalma JA et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000;95:446-450.

  • Evaluated the safety and effectiveness of MiraLAX in 151 people with constipation
  • Patients were given either MiraLAX or a placebo, and kept track of any changes in how often they had bowel movements as well as changes to the bowel movement itself
  • After 2 weeks, patients who took MiraLAX had significantly (P<.001) more bowel movements than those who were given a placebo, and also had less cramping and gas

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Study 4

Braintree Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Laxative for Ambulatory and Long-Term Care Facility Constipation Patients.

DiPalma JA et al. Online Journal of Digestive Health. 1999;1(2).

  • Evaluated the safety and effectiveness of MiraLAX in 50 people with constipation who were either ambulatory outpatients or living in long-term care facilities
  • Patients received placebo or a high (34 grams) or low (17 grams) dose of MiraLAX (later reduced to 12 and 6 grams, respectively, in long-term care patients)
  • All patients given MiraLAX had increases in how often they had bowel movements and improvement in the quality of the bowel movement, with no severe side effects
  • The higher doses of MiraLAX yielded better bowel movements more often versus lower doses, and people given either dose of MiraLAX had better outcomes than those on placebo

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