magnesium supplement

Magnesium is a mineral that is abundant in the human body and is essential for several biochemical functions. Most people can obtain sufficient magnesium from dietary sources, however, people with magnesium deficiency may take magnesium supplements.

Magnesium supplements are available as caplets, over the counter (OTC) in the U.S. Dietary sources of magnesium include pumpkin and chia seeds, nuts such as peanuts, almonds and cashews, cereals, beans, soy, yogurt, fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens.

What is magnesium good for?

Magnesium is a cofactor in at least 300 enzymatic reactions and is essential for protein synthesis, synthesis of DNA and RNA, muscle and nerve function, regulation of heart rhythm, blood pressure, insulin metabolism, and blood glucose control. Approximately 50% to 60% of the body’s magnesium is stored in the bones, with the rest in soft tissues, and just about 1% is present in the blood. Magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesemia) can affect the normal functioning of many systems including neuromuscular functions and cardiac electric conduction.

• Do not take magnesium supplement if you are hypersensitive to any of the components in the formulation.
• Use magnesium supplement with caution in patients with neuromuscular diseases, including myasthenia gravis.
• Use magnesium supplement with caution under medical supervision, in patients with kidney impairment. Monitor patients with severe kidney impairment for magnesium toxicity.
• Use with caution in patients with cardiac conditions, magnesium may exacerbate the underlying condition.

Common side effects of magnesium supplements include:

• Stomach upset
• Diarrhea
• Excessively high magnesium levels in the blood (hypermagnesemia)

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms or serious side effects while using this drug:

• Serious heart symptoms include fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;
• Severe nervous system reaction with very stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, and feeling like you might pass out; or
• Serious eye symptoms include blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.

This is not a complete list of all side effects or adverse reactions that may occur from the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may also report side effects or health problems to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Caplet

• 84 mg

Adult:

Magnesium Deficiency

• 168-336 mg orally divided twice daily

Renal Insufficiency

• Creatinine clearance (CrCl) lower than 30 mL/minute: Use caution; monitor for hypermagnesemia
• CrCl 30 mL/minute or higher: Dose adjustment not necessary

Pediatric:

• Safety and efficacy not established

Overdose

• Symptoms of magnesium overdose include diarrhea, thirst, muscle weakness, back and pelvic pain, low blood pressure (hypotension), drowsiness, dizziness, lethargy, confusion, difficulty breathing, and impairment of kidney function. Severe overdose may cause irregular heart rhythms, coma, and cardiac and respiratory arrest.
• Minor overdose may be managed with discontinuation of magnesium supplement, and evaluation of kidney function. Serious overdose may require intravenous calcium, fluids and medications, kidney dialysis, and mechanical ventilation.

Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking, who can advise you on any possible drug interactions. Never begin taking, suddenly discontinue, or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor’s recommendation.

• Severe interactions with magnesium supplement include:
  • baloxavir marboxil
  • raltegravir
• Magnesium supplement has no known serious interactions with other drugs
• Magnesium supplement has moderate interactions with at least 50 different drugs.
• Magnesium supplement has no known mild interactions with other drugs.

The drug interactions listed above are not all of the possible interactions or adverse effects. For more information on drug interactions, visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker.

It is important to always tell your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, as well as the dosage for each, and keep a list of the information. Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions about the medication.

• Magnesium is an essential nutrient that is important for the normal growth and development of the fetus, however, taking large amounts of magnesium supplements may be harmful to the mother and fetus. Pregnant women should avoid magnesium supplementation unless there is a deficiency and magnesium is prescribed by the physician.
• Magnesium is present in breastmilk and is an essential nutrient for the breastfed infant. Nursing mothers may take magnesium supplements to correct the deficiency, however, should avoid taking large amounts of supplementation if it is not required.
• Do not take any dietary supplements, including magnesium, without first checking with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Take magnesium supplement exactly as prescribed or as directed in the label.
• Do not exceed the daily recommended dose of magnesium supplement.
• Take magnesium supplements with a meal to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
• High-fat diets can reduce the absorption of magnesium.
• Do not take magnesium supplements:
  • For prolonged periods, unless prescribed by your physician
  • If you have nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
• Do not take magnesium supplements unless prescribed by your physician if you have impaired kidney function.
• Check with your physician before taking any supplement, including magnesium, if you take any regular medications. Supplements may interfere with the activity of the drugs.
• Stop taking magnesium supplements and contact your physician if you experience symptoms such as:
  • Flushing
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Blurred vision
  • Double vision
• Store safely out of reach of children.
  • In case of overdose, seek medical help or contact Poison Control.