The shortage of stool softeners in America is being attributed to a demand for laxatives.
Gastroenterologists report a notable uptick in the need for polyethylene glycol 3350, the generic name for Miralax and Glycolax. The Wall Street Journal states that customers are encountering increasingly vacant laxative shelves throughout the nation.
Additionally, experts point to the pandemic as a contributing factor to these shortages. They noted that the psychological and physical effects of Coronavirus restrictions led to reduced self-care practices among people. Furthermore, heightened anxiety levels, identified by doctors as a cause of bowel dysfunction, were more prevalent among Americans during this time.
Even more astonishing, suppliers note a growing trend of younger customers turning to these products. Haleon, the manufacturer of Benefiber, reports that individuals between the ages of 18 and 42 are purchasing their fiber supplement at an unprecedented rate.
A troubling trend has also surfaced on TikTok, where users are endorsing the daily consumption of laxatives. The hashtag #GutTok has garnered over 1.1 billion views on the platform. On the video-sharing app, numerous videos promote colon-stimulating medications as a cost-effective alternative to Ozempic for achieving a slimmer appearance.
Miralax, in particular, is being hailed as a miraculous powder that numerous users assert they cannot do without. In one video, a self-proclaimed “girlie with digestive health issues” records herself adding a packet of the laxative powder to her smoothie.
Many commenters chimed in, revealing their own favorite Miralax-infused concoctions, with one user mentioning a preference for mixing it with “lemonade water enhancer.” Meanwhile, another commenter says they “found cranberry juice masks the taste and texture perfectly.”
