
Magnesium citrate is a saline laxative that relieves constipation by drawing water into the intestines. It is available in tablet or liquid form and typically produces a bowel movement within 30 minutes to six hours. The dosage varies depending on age, with adults and children over 12 years of age taking 195 to 300 ml, children aged 6 to 12 taking 90 to 210 ml, and children aged 2 to 6 taking 60 to 90 ml. It is important to note that magnesium citrate should not be combined with certain antibiotics and may cause side effects such as abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, and bloating.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Purpose | Constipation relief, bowel evacuation, nutritional supplement |
Forms | Tablet, liquid, powder, capsule |
Dosage (adults) | 195-300ml with a full glass of water, or 2-4 tablets at bedtime |
Dosage (children 6-12 years) | 90-210ml with a full glass of water |
Dosage (children 2-6 years) | 60-90ml with a maximum dose of 90ml in 24 hours |
Side effects | Electrolyte imbalance, abdominal pain, gas, nausea, diarrhoea, dehydration, weight loss |
Interactions | Antibiotics such as doxycycline, demeclocycline, dolutegravir, minocycline, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin |
Pregnancy and breastfeeding | Safe to use, but consult a doctor |
What You'll Learn
Magnesium citrate dosage for constipation relief
Magnesium citrate is a saline laxative that relieves constipation by drawing water into the intestines, thus lubricating the stools and making them easier to pass. It is available over the counter in liquid, powder, or capsule form. The dosage depends on the age of the person and their medical condition.
The standard dose of liquid magnesium citrate for constipation relief for adults is 195–300 mL in a single daily dose or in divided doses with a full glass of water. Alternatively, two to four tablets can be taken at bedtime. The recommended daily allowance is 400 to 420 mg for adult men and 310 to 320 mg for adult women. Pregnant women may increase their dosage to 350–360 mg per day.
The dosage for children varies depending on their age. For children aged 2 to under 6, the recommended dose is 60 to 90 mL, which may be taken as a single dose or divided doses with a maximum of 90 mL in 24 hours. For children aged 6 to under 12, the dose is 90 to 210 mL, which may be taken as a single or divided dose with a full glass of water. For children aged 12 and above, the dosage is the same as for adults.
Tips for Taking Magnesium Citrate
It is recommended to take magnesium citrate with a full glass of water (at least 8 ounces) as it works by drawing water into the intestines. It can be taken with or without food, but for certain reasons, your doctor may advise you to take it on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two hours after a meal. It is also important to maintain adequate hydration levels by drinking plenty of water and fluids when taking magnesium citrate for constipation relief.
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Magnesium citrate side effects
Magnesium citrate is a saline laxative that treats occasional constipation. It is also used as a supplement to maintain adequate magnesium in the body. It is available in the form of oral tablets, capsules, and liquid. The dosage depends on the age of the person and the purpose of intake.
Although magnesium citrate is considered safe for most people, it may cause some side effects, especially if taken in high doses for an extended period of time. Here are some of the possible side effects:
- Dehydration: It is important to drink plenty of fluids when taking magnesium citrate as it can cause dehydration due to its laxative effect.
- Abdominal issues: Magnesium citrate may cause abdominal pain, gas, nausea, and cramps.
- Diarrhea: Prolonged or persistent diarrhea is a possible side effect and may also contribute to dehydration.
- Rectal bleeding: This may occur with painful bowel movements.
- Allergic reactions: Although rare, allergic reactions such as hives, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and difficulty breathing may occur.
- High magnesium levels: Symptoms include confusion, drowsiness, facial flushing, redness, sweating, muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, and trouble breathing.
- Urinary issues: Magnesium citrate may cause decreased urination or painful and difficult urination.
- Cardiovascular issues: Side effects may include slow heart rate, lightheadedness, and weak or shallow breathing.
- Weight loss: Prolonged use of magnesium citrate may result in decreased weight.
If you experience any of these side effects, it is important to consult your doctor or healthcare provider. It is also recommended to follow the directions on the package or prescription label and not to exceed the recommended dosage.
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Magnesium citrate and pregnancy
Magnesium is an essential mineral for the human body, and magnesium citrate is a commonly used magnesium supplement. It is often used to treat constipation and clear out the intestines, but it also has other uses, such as nutritional support. It is generally safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women, but it should only be taken during pregnancy when the benefits outweigh the risks.
Magnesium is an essential mineral required for the regulation of body temperature, nucleic acid and protein synthesis, and maintaining nerve and muscle cell electrical potentials. It also plays an important role in modulating vasomotor tone and cardiac excitability. During pregnancy, magnesium helps to reduce fetal growth restriction and pre-eclampsia and increase birth weight. It may also reduce the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Magnesium citrate has been assigned a pregnancy category C rating by the FDA, meaning that animal or reproductive studies have not been reported, and it should only be taken during pregnancy when the benefits outweigh the risks. There is little risk of harm to the developing fetus, and minuscule amounts of magnesium are excreted into human milk, with no reports of adverse effects on nursing infants.
Magnesium citrate can be used to treat constipation, a common issue during pregnancy. It works by retaining water in the intestines by osmosis, aiding bowel movement. It can also be used as a nutritional supplement to treat acid indigestion, which is another common issue that arises during pregnancy.
The recommended daily intake of magnesium for pregnant women is about 350-400 mg. However, it is important to be mindful of the potential side effects of excessive magnesium intake, particularly when consumed in supplement form. Too much magnesium all at once can trigger a laxative effect, especially when combined with other minerals.
Magnesium citrate is one of the most popular forms of magnesium supplements due to its bioavailability and effectiveness. It is particularly beneficial for those dealing with constipation. Other forms of magnesium that can be taken during pregnancy include magnesium glycinate, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium chloride, magnesium L-threonate, and magnesium malate.
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Magnesium citrate alternatives
Magnesium citrate is a saline laxative that is used to treat constipation and clear out the intestines. It is also used as a nutritional supplement to treat acid indigestion. It is available in tablet or liquid form.
There are several alternatives to magnesium citrate, including:
- Miralax (Polyethylene glycol 3350)
- Docusate
- Colace
- Bisacodyl
- Magnesium oxide
- Dulcolax
- Magnesium hydroxide
- HalfLytely
- TriLyte
- Suprep
- Colyte
Miralax is a commonly recommended alternative to magnesium citrate for colonoscopy preparation. It is often mixed with Gatorade or a similar electrolyte drink.
Other alternatives to magnesium citrate for colonoscopy preparation include:
- HalfLytely Bowel Prep: This method involves mixing HalfLytely according to the instructions and refrigerating the mixture. Two Bisacodyl tablets are taken with water, and the HalfLytely mixture is consumed a few hours later.
- TriLyte Bowel Prep: This method requires mixing TriLyte as directed and storing it in the refrigerator. Two over-the-counter Dulcolax pills are also taken the day before the procedure.
- Suprep: This method does not involve any laxative pills. Instead, two 6-ounce bottles of Suprep are mixed with water and consumed the day before the procedure, along with 64 ounces of water.
- Colyte Preparation: Colyte is mixed with one gallon of water and consumed between 4 PM and 10 PM the day before the procedure. Four Dulcolax tablets are taken at 9 PM, and nothing is consumed within four hours of the procedure start time.
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Magnesium citrate and kidney disease
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is mostly stored in our bones. Magnesium citrate is an over-the-counter magnesium preparation made with a combination of salt and citric acid. It is often used as a laxative to treat constipation and clear out the intestines.
Magnesium citrate is also used as a nutritional supplement for treating acid indigestion. It is also used to prevent magnesium deficiency, which can cause symptoms like fatigue, muscle aches, and trouble sleeping.
Magnesium citrate is generally considered safe for most people. However, it is recommended that those with kidney disease consult a doctor before taking magnesium citrate. This is because the kidneys play a vital role in maintaining magnesium homeostasis, and impaired renal function can lead to magnesium imbalances.
In moderate chronic kidney disease, the increase in the fractional excretion of magnesium compensates for the loss of renal function, thus maintaining normal serum magnesium levels. However, in more advanced stages of chronic kidney disease, this compensatory mechanism becomes inadequate, leading to hypermagnesemia.
Dialysis patients are also at risk of magnesium imbalances due to the loss of regulatory kidney function. The dialysate magnesium concentration is a major determinant of magnesium balance in these patients. A dialysate magnesium concentration of 0.75 mmol/L is likely to cause mild hypermagnesemia, while lower concentrations may result in normal to hypomagnesemic serum levels.
Oral magnesium supplementation has been studied in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3 and 4. One study found that supplementation with 30 mmol/day of slow-release magnesium hydroxide for eight weeks improved serum calcification propensity but did not affect intracellular magnesium levels. This suggests that magnesium supplementation may aid in treating systemic calcification propensity without increasing intracellular magnesium.
In summary, magnesium citrate can be beneficial for treating constipation and preventing magnesium deficiency. However, for individuals with kidney disease, it is important to consult a doctor before taking magnesium citrate to avoid potential magnesium imbalances.
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Frequently asked questions
The recommended dosage for adults is 195-300ml of liquid magnesium citrate or 2-4 tablets at bedtime.
The dosage depends on the child's age. Children aged 2-6 should take 60-90ml, while those aged 6-12 should take 90-210ml.
Magnesium citrate usually takes 30 minutes to 6 hours to stimulate a bowel movement.
Some people may experience diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal cramping, dehydration, and an electrolyte imbalance when taking magnesium citrate supplements.