Where to Find Miralax at the Best Price: A Comparison Guide

If you're one of the millions of Americans who rely on Miralax for digestive relief, you know that this over-the-counter medication can become a significant expense over time. As a polyethylene glycol 3350 powder that works by drawing water into the colon to soften stool and increase bowel movements, Miralax is effective but not always budget-friendly. With prices varying dramatically between retailers, finding the best deal can save you substantial money, especially if you use it regularly.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll compare prices across major retailers, explore discount options, and share strategies to help you find Miralax at the most affordable price without sacrificing quality or convenience.

Understanding Miralax and Its Pricing Factors

Before diving into specific retailers and prices, it's important to understand what influences Miralax pricing. The standard Miralax product comes in various sizes, with the most common being the 8.3 oz (14-dose), 17.9 oz (30-dose), and 26.9 oz (45-dose) containers. Generally, larger containers offer better value per dose, though they require a higher upfront investment.

Pricing can also vary based on whether you're purchasing the name-brand Miralax or a generic polyethylene glycol 3350 alternative. Generic versions typically cost 20-40% less while containing the same active ingredient and offering similar effectiveness.

Name Brand vs. Generic Options

When shopping for Miralax, you'll encounter both the name-brand product and generic alternatives. The FDA has approved several generic versions that contain the same active ingredient (polyethylene glycol 3350) in the same concentration. These generics must demonstrate bioequivalence to the brand-name product, meaning they work the same way in your body.

Major retailers like Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens offer their own store-brand versions, which can save you significant money. For example, Equate (Walmart), CVS Health, and Walgreens brands typically cost 25-35% less than name-brand Miralax. If you're hesitant about trying generics, consider that many gastroenterologists confirm they're equally effective for most patients.

It's worth noting that while the active ingredient remains identical across generic versions, there may be slight differences in inactive ingredients or fillers. These variations rarely affect efficacy but might matter to individuals with specific sensitivities or allergies. When switching from name-brand to generic, it's advisable to check the complete ingredient list if you have known sensitivities. Most patients report seamless transitions between brand-name and generic versions, with no noticeable difference in effectiveness or side effects.

Size Matters: Cost Per Dose Analysis

When comparing Miralax prices, the sticker price doesn't tell the whole story. Instead, calculate the cost per dose to determine the true value. For example, a 30-dose container priced at $19.99 costs about $0.67 per dose, while a 45-dose container at $27.99 costs about $0.62 per dose. This difference might seem small, but it adds up significantly for regular users.

Our price research shows that the 45-dose containers typically offer the best value, followed by the 30-dose options. The smaller 14-dose containers, while requiring less upfront cost, usually have the highest cost per dose—sometimes up to 30% more expensive per serving than the larger options.

For households with multiple users or individuals managing chronic constipation under medical supervision, the economics become even more compelling for larger sizes. Some retailers offer additional bulk options or multi-packs that can further reduce the per-dose cost. During our market analysis, we found that warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club frequently offer the best overall value, with per-dose costs sometimes dipping below $0.50 when purchased in their largest available sizes. These substantial savings can amount to over $100 annually for daily users, making membership fees worthwhile for those who regularly use this medication.

Major Retailers Comparison

Let's examine how Miralax prices compare across major national retailers. Prices were collected through online research and in-store visits in May 2023, but keep in mind that prices may vary by location and change over time due to sales and other factors.

Brick-and-Mortar Stores

Traditional retail stores offer the advantage of immediate availability and no shipping costs. Here's how they stack up for the standard 17.9 oz (30-dose) Miralax:

Walmart typically offers name-brand Miralax for $17.97, with their Equate generic version priced around $12.98. Target prices the same size at approximately $19.99, with their Up & Up generic at $13.99. Walgreens tends to be higher at $21.99 for name-brand, though their store brand comes in at $15.99. CVS is similarly priced at $22.99 for name-brand and $16.99 for their generic. Costco and Sam's Club offer significant savings for members, with Costco's 90-dose bottle priced around $38.99 ($0.43 per dose) and Sam's Club offering similar bulk discounts.

Online Retailers

Online shopping can often yield better deals, especially when factoring in subscription services and bulk discounts. Amazon typically prices the 30-dose Miralax between $17.97 and $19.99, with additional savings through their "Subscribe & Save" program (5-15% off). Their Amazon Basic Care generic version is even more affordable at approximately $11.99.

Chewy.com, known primarily for pet supplies, also carries Miralax at competitive prices—often matching or beating Amazon's pricing. Their auto-ship option can save customers an additional 5-10%. Online drugstores like Healthwarehouse.com sometimes offer Miralax at lower prices than chain pharmacies, with the 30-dose container frequently priced around $18.50.

Grocery Store Chains

Don't overlook grocery stores when shopping for Miralax. Kroger and its affiliated chains (including Ralph's, Fred Meyer, and others) typically price the 30-dose Miralax at $19.99, with frequent sales bringing it down to $17.99. Their store brand is usually priced around $14.99. Albertsons/Safeway prices are slightly higher at $21.99 for name-brand and $15.99 for their generic version.

Publix and Wegmans tend to have competitive pricing, especially during their health and wellness promotions, with Publix occasionally offering BOGO (buy one, get one) deals on digestive health products including Miralax.

Discount Strategies and Savings Programs

Beyond simply comparing retail prices, there are several strategies you can employ to reduce your Miralax expenses even further.

Manufacturer Coupons and Rebates

The manufacturer of Miralax, Bayer Consumer Health, occasionally offers coupons and rebates directly through their website. Signing up for their email newsletter can alert you to these savings opportunities. Currently, they offer a printable coupon for $2 off any Miralax product on their official website.

Additionally, check coupon websites like Coupons.com, RetailMeNot, and GoodRx for Miralax-specific offers. Sunday newspaper inserts sometimes contain manufacturer coupons for Miralax, especially during digestive health awareness months.

Pharmacy Discount Cards and Programs

Even though Miralax is available over-the-counter, pharmacy discount cards can sometimes be applied to OTC medications when purchased with a prescription. Programs like GoodRx, SingleCare, and RxSaver may offer discounts of 10-20% when your doctor writes a prescription for Miralax (which some will do for patients who use it regularly).

Many pharmacies also have loyalty programs that can reduce costs. CVS ExtraCare, Walgreens Balance Rewards, and Rite Aid wellness+ all offer points or cash back on purchases, including OTC medications like Miralax. These programs are free to join and can yield significant savings over time.

Subscription Services and Bulk Buying

For regular Miralax users, subscription services offer convenience and savings. Amazon's "Subscribe & Save" provides 5% off with regular deliveries, increasing to 15% when you have 5 or more subscriptions delivered in the same month. Similarly, Target's Circle subscription service offers 5% off regular deliveries.

Bulk buying is another effective strategy. Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club offer the best per-dose pricing, with Costco's 90-dose bottle working out to approximately $0.43 per dose—nearly 40% less than the average retail price for smaller containers. Even without a membership, you can sometimes purchase from these retailers through Instacart, though you'll pay a slight premium for delivery.

Online Price Comparison Tools

In today's digital age, several tools can help you quickly find the best Miralax prices without visiting multiple stores.

Dedicated Medication Price Comparison Websites

While primarily designed for prescription medications, sites like GoodRx and RxSaver sometimes include OTC medications like Miralax in their databases. These platforms allow you to compare prices across multiple pharmacies in your area with a simple search.

WebMDRx is another resource that provides price comparisons for both prescription and some over-the-counter medications. Their platform shows current prices at pharmacies near your location, helping you identify the best local deals.

General Shopping Comparison Tools

General shopping comparison tools like Google Shopping, PriceGrabber, and Shopzilla can also help you find competitive Miralax prices. These platforms aggregate prices from numerous online retailers, allowing you to quickly identify the best current deals without visiting multiple websites.

Browser extensions like Honey and Capital One Shopping (formerly Wikibuy) automatically apply available coupon codes at checkout and can alert you to price drops on items you're tracking, including Miralax. These tools work across thousands of retailers and require minimal effort to use.

Seasonal Sales and Timing Your Purchase

Strategic timing can help you secure even better deals on Miralax throughout the year.

Best Times to Buy

Retailers typically run health and wellness promotions in January (New Year's resolutions), April (Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month), and September (back-to-school season). During these periods, digestive health products including Miralax are often discounted by 15-25%.

Major shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday frequently feature health products at significant discounts. During the 2022 Prime Day, for example, Amazon offered the 45-dose Miralax at 20% off the regular price.

Additionally, many pharmacies run monthly or quarterly promotions. CVS typically offers ExtraBucks on digestive health products during their quarterly health events, while Walgreens features Register Rewards on similar items during their monthly wellness promotions.

Conclusion: Balancing Price, Convenience, and Quality

Finding Miralax at the best price requires balancing several factors: upfront cost, cost per dose, convenience, and your personal preferences regarding brand versus generic options.

Our research consistently shows that for name-brand Miralax, warehouse clubs offer the best value per dose, followed by Walmart and Amazon. For those open to generic alternatives, Amazon Basic Care and Walmart's Equate brand provide the most significant savings while maintaining the same active ingredient and effectiveness.

Remember that the "best" price isn't always the absolute lowest—convenience, reliability of supply, and your personal shopping habits should factor into your decision. By applying the strategies outlined in this guide and staying alert to promotions and discounts, you can significantly reduce your Miralax expenses without compromising on the relief you need.