Milk of magnesia, also known as magnesium hydroxide, can act as an antacid or as a saline laxative. This type of laxative works by drawing water into a person’s bowels to help loosen stool.

For example 'milk of magnesia', a white aqueous solution of magnesium hydroxide, is commonly used as a laxative and an antacid. Magnesium also has a central position in organic and organometallic ...