Frequently Asked Questions

Constipation, or irregularity, is a condition in which your stools pass more slowly than usual through the bowels (intestines). This condition occurs when too much water is removed from the stools, and they become hardened, making it difficult to have bowel movements.

Normal frequency of bowel movements is different for each individual. Some people have two or three a day. Others have only three or four bowel movements a week.

The condition can be caused by a variety of factors such as not drinking enough fluids, a lack of sufficient fiber in the diet, stress, travel, pregnancy, or just lack of physical activity. Many people experience occasional constipation due to change in diet or dehydration. Medications such as cough syrups, sedatives, and antacids can also cause occasional constipation. Even people who have a diet rich in fiber can occasionally become constipated.

What you eat and drink matters. The USDA recommends that adults should be eating roughly 25 to 38 grams of fiber a day to help stay regular. Drinking around 8 glasses of water a day is also important to avoid constipation. In addition, your lifestyle makes a difference. For instance, regular exercise can help keep you regular.

If getting enough fiber through diet is a challenge for you, you may want to consider taking a fiber supplement. The benefits of fiber supplements are convenience and the ability to add fiber to your daily diet.

Phillips'^® offers a line of fiber supplements to help support regularity:^‡∗

Many people find taking fiber supplements on a daily basis to be helpful. To stay regular, you often have to be proactive to make sure you get your recommended intake, which is roughly 25 to 38 grams of fiber a day.

Phillips'^® Milk of Magnesia
Phillips'^® Laxative Caplets
Phillips'^® Stool Softener Liquid Gels

A safe, gentle overnight laxative like Phillips'^® Milk of Magnesia works with your body's natural processes by drawing water into the bowel to promote a bowel movement. Phillips'^® offers Milk of Magnesia liquids in both regular and concentrated formulas in several flavors.

Occasional and even frequent constipation are quite common. But if you've used a laxative longer than one week, please contact your doctor.

Stimulant laxatives, such as those containing bisacodyl, work by stimulating fluid secretion and causing contractions of the colon to produce a bowel movement. These actions can cause intestinal distress in some people, which in the case of bisacodyl, may lead to painful cramps. Phillips'^® products work differently. They don't contain stimulants and work with your body's natural process to gently relieve occasional constipation. As always, read the label of any product to make sure it's right for you. But if you're looking for a safe, gentle and stimulant-free laxative, it's an easy choice with Phillips'^®. It's the only full line of laxatives that is completely stimulant-free.

Not only is Phillips'^® the only line of laxatives that is completely stimulant-free, but all Phillips'^® products are gentle, effective, and safe. Phillips'^® helps take care of all your regularity needs and has been trusted for over 140 years. For further information, please call 1-800-986-0369 (9:00am-5:00pm Eastern Time).

• Liquid: Phillips'^® Milk of Magnesia
• Caplets: Phillips'^® Laxative Dietary Supplement
• Liquid Gels: Phillips'^® Stool Softener
• Gummies: Phillips'^® Fiber Good^® Gummies
• Capsules: Phillips'^® Colon Health^® Probiotic Capsules

• Phillips'^® Milk of Magnesia contains magnesium hydroxide and generally produces a bowel movement in 1/2 to 6 hours
• Phillips'^® Laxative Caplets contain magnesium oxide and generally produce a bowel movement in 1/2 to 6 hours
• Phillips'^® Stool Softener Liquid Gels contain docusate sodium that gently produces a bowel movement in approximately 12 to 72 hours
• Phillips'^® Fiber Good^® Gummies contain soluble inulin fiber to help support regularity^‡∗
• Phillips'^® Fiber Good^® Gummies plus Energy Support^∗ contain soluble inulin fiber to help support regularity^‡ plus B-vitamins^€ to help convert food to fuel^∗
• Phillips'^® Fiber Good^® Gummies plus Metabolism Support^∗ contain soluble inulin fiber to help support regularity^‡ plus B-vitamins^§ and Chromium^†† to support metabolism^Φ∗
• Phillips'^® Colon Health^® contains 3 types of probiotics (Lactobacillus gasseri, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bifidobacterium longum) to help support digestive health and immune health^∗
• Phillips'^® Colon Health^®with Metabolism Support^†∗ contains 2 types of probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis) plus B-Vitamins^£ to help support overall digestive health and a healthy metabolism^Φ∗

See our product information section for complete details about each Phillips'^® formula.

We do not add any gluten to our products. However, we cannot guarantee that they are 100% gluten free, as these products are produced in facilities that manufacture or package other items which may contain gluten.

Our Original and Fresh Mint Milk of Magnesia products are sugar free. However, as with any medication, persons who are diabetic should check with their doctor before using this product.

We recommend that you check with your doctor before taking any medications together. Some medications interfere with one another and thus effectiveness can be affected.

If you are presently taking a prescription drug, do not take this product without checking with your doctor or other health professional.

If you are pregnant or nursing, we recommend that you check with your doctor before using this or any other medication.

In general, Phillips'^® products may be taken with or without food. However, Phillips'^® Colon Health^® Probiotic Capsules should be taken with a meal.

Phillips'^® line of laxative products relieve occasional constipation by drawing water into the intestine, leading to a bowel movement.

Phillips'^® Stool Softener works by increasing water in the stool to help soften it, making it more comfortable to pass.

Soluble fiber such as Phillips'^® Fiber Good^® Gummies absorbs water and becomes gel, which adds bulk to your stool to help support regularity.^†∗

Lastly, when taken regularly, probiotics such as Phillips'^® Colon Health^® Probiotic Capsules can support digestive and immune health by helping to maintain the balance of beneficial and non-beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract. Having a natural balance of bacteria in the digestive tract can help with occasional digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating.^∗

†Two gummies taken twice per day helps you get the daily fiber you may need to help support regularity.

It varies. However, stop laxative use and talk to your doctor if you need to use it for more than one week. Otherwise, please consult with your doctor or other health professional to see how long you may take a Phillips'^® laxative product.

Yes. You can save $1.00 on any Phillips'^® product.

No. Like other medications and supplements, Phillips'^® products can lose their maximum effectiveness after the expiration date. Expiration dates are stamped on each carton or container.

Your favorite drug or grocery store more than likely carries Phillips'^®. Find out where to purchase Phillips'^® products using our Where to Buy search tool.

Phillips'^® Milk of Magnesia has provided stimulant-free relief of occasional constipation for over 140 years. See a timeline of product introductions.

Milk of Magnesia may be taken once a day preferably at bedtime, in divided doses, or as directed by a doctor.

Recommended dose:

• Adults and children 12 years and older: 30 mL (2 TBSP) to 60 mL (4 TBSP)
• Children 6 to 11 years: 15 mL (1 TBSP) to 30 mL (2 TBSP)
• Children under 6 years: ask a doctor

Recommended dose:

• Adults and children 12 years and older: 15 mL (1 TBSP) to 30 mL (2 TBSP)
• Children under 12 years: ask a doctor

Stimulant-free Phillips'^® Milk of Magnesia generally produces a bowel movement in 1/2 to 6 hours. However, this can vary according to the individual.

Milk of Magnesia should be taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of fluid. To allow the product to work properly, you need to increase water content to promote a bowel movement.

Milk of Magnesia comes in Original, Fresh Mint, and Wild Cherry. Concentrated Milk of Magnesia is Fresh Strawberry flavored.

Concentrated Milk of Magnesia contains a concentrated formula of magnesium hydroxide so you take smaller doses. Like regular Milk of Magnesia, it generally produces a bowel movement in 1/2 to 6 hours. Adults and children 12 years and older should take 1-2 tablespoons per day. For children under 12 years of age, please ask a doctor.

No. Phillips'^® Milk of Magnesia should not be refrigerated at any time and must not be frozen. Simply keep the cap tightly secured and store at room temperature.

If Phillips'^® Milk of Magnesia freezes, it will have a watery and gritty appearance when thawed. For this reason, do not store it in your freezer or refrigerator. For best results, we do not recommend using the product if it has a watery appearance.

• Adults and children 12 years and older: Take 2-4 caplets daily
• Children under 12: Ask a doctor before use

Laxative caplets may be taken all at bedtime (preferable), or individually throughout the day.

Stimulant-free Phillips'^® Laxative Caplets generally produces a bowel movement in 1/2 to 6 hours. However, this can vary according to the individual.

The caplets can be cut/crushed, as it will not affect their effectiveness.

Laxative Caplets should be taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of fluid. To allow the product to work properly, you need to increase the water content to promote a bowel movement.

• Adults and Children 12 years and older: Take 1 to 3 softgels per day or as directed by a doctor. This dose may be taken as a single daily dose or in divided doses
• Children 6 to under 12 years: Take 1 softgel daily or as directed by a doctor
• Children under 6 years of age: Ask a doctor

Phillips'^® Stool Softener Liquid Gels generally provides occasional constipation relief within 12-72 hours after the first dose. However, this can vary according to the individual.

Stool Softener Liquid Gels should be taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of fluid. Water helps the product work to soften dry, hard stools.

Phillips'^® Fiber Good^® Gummies:

• Adults and children 4 years of age and older: Fully chew 2 gummies 2 times daily
• Children: Product should be fully chewed under adult supervision

Phillips'^®Fiber Good^® Gummies plus Energy Support^∗/Fiber Good^® Gummies plus Metabolism Support^∗:

• Adults: Fully chew 2 gummies 2 times daily

According to the USDA, adults should be eating roughly 25 to 38 grams of fiber a day.

Just two Phillips'^® Fiber Good^® Gummies contain 4 grams of fiber, which is a good source of fiber to help support regularity.^†∗

Phillips'^® Fiber Good^® Gummies contain inulin, a type of soluble fiber.

You don't have to take Phillips'^® Fiber Good^® Gummies with water. You just have to make sure they are fully chewed. However, drinking water daily, approximately 8 glasses of water a day, can help support regularity.

Phillips'^® Fiber Good^® Gummies come in 6 great-tasting natural fruit flavors:
Strawberry, Apple, Grape, Cherry, Orange and Lemon

"Probiotics are live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit." ¹ In general, probiotics are similar to the beneficial bacteria that live naturally in your digestive tract. They can be found in some foods, such as yogurt and cheese, as well as dietary supplements. When taken daily, probiotics like the one found in Phillips'^® Colon Health^® probiotic supplements can help replenish your body's good bacteria and support digestive and immune health.^∗

Source: 1.World Health Organization, 2001

It's important to have a balance of good bacteria in your digestive tract, which can be negatively impacted by factors such as diet and travel. Probiotics can help support digestive health^∗ by helping maintain the balance of beneficial and non-beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract. Having a natural balance of good bacteria in the digestive tract can help defend against occasional digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating.^∗ In addition, probiotics play an important role in supporting immune health, since 70% of your immune system is found in the digestive tract.^∗

Any adult who is concerned about supporting digestive health and immune health should consider taking probiotics.

Take one capsule daily with a meal. It is recommended that you take Phillips'^® Colon Health^® at the same time every day, so it becomes part of your daily health routine.

Phillips’^® Colon Health^® Probiotic Capsules contains 3 types of probiotics to help defend against occasional digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating.^∗ When taken daily, it can help replenish the good bacteria in your colon to support overall digestive health and immune health.^∗

Phillips’^® Colon Health^® with Metabolism Support^†∗ Probiotic Capsules contains a specially formulated blend of two types of probiotics plus B-Vitamins.^£ When taken daily, it can help replenish the good bacteria in your colon to support overall digestive health and a healthy metabolism.^Φ∗

Phillips'^® Colon Health^® Probiotic Capsules contain both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, the two most common types of bacteria found in probiotics. Both are similar to the beneficial bacteria that live naturally in your digestive tract.

No, Phillips'^® Colon Health^® does not need to be refrigerated.

No, Phillips'^® Colon Health^® is a probiotic supplement designed to support your digestive health.^∗