It is used on kids. NON HABIT FORMING! EXTREMELY GENTLE, NO SIDE EFFECTS EVER, and it got my daughter into a routine of going to the bathroom daily. She took it for a few weeks. She also took a juice plus fiber drink. If someone is badly backed up, they need something with a little more strength to get things going.
If you don't want to do Mirelax, try Dr. Schultz formula #1. It is great stuff!