Magnesium Oxide: MedlinePlus Drug Information (2024)

FAQs

Magnesium Oxide: MedlinePlus Drug Information? ›

Some people use it as an antacid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach, or acid indigestion. Magnesium oxide also may be used as a laxative for short-term, rapid emptying of the bowel (before surgery, for example). It should not be used repeatedly.

High doses of magnesium oxide may cause dangerously high blood magnesium levels, which is more likely in specific populations. It may also cause side effects like bloating and diarrhea and reduce the effectiveness of certain medications.

Magnesium oxide is one of the most common forms of magnesium used in dietary supplements. Though it has a poor absorption rate, studies show that taking magnesium oxide supplements may help improve symptoms of constipation, ease headaches, reduce blood pressure and blood sugar, and ease anxiety symptoms.

Typically, magnesium oxide should only be taken at the prescribed dose for short periods of time — no more than 2 weeks if you are using it as an antacid or 1 week if you are using it as a laxative. Potential side effects of short-term use. Potential side effects of short-term use include stomach cramping and diarrhea.

In summary: Magnesium oxide is one of the most common forms of magnesium found in dietary supplements. While it's been shown to be helpful for certain conditions, such as headaches and constipation, it's less bioavailable than other forms of magnesium and may cause side effects like diarrhea.

* Magnesium Oxide can affect you when breathed in. * Breathing Magnesium Oxide can irritate the eyes and nose. * Exposure to Magnesium Oxide can cause “metal fume fever.” This is a flu-like illness with symptoms of metallic taste in the mouth, headache, fever and chills, aches, chest tightness and cough.

“Magnesium is an electrolyte that helps to regulate your heart rate,” says cardiologist Tamanna Singh, MD. “When you have a deficiency of electrolytes, it can make your heart speed up.” We talked with Dr.

The maximum recommended daily dose of magnesium for adults is 420 mg for males and 350 mg for females. However, some factors may influence your required dose, such as age and health conditions. Magnesium is essential for many functions in your body , including energy metabolism and protein synthesis.

Therefore, magnesium supplements can be taken at any time of the day, as long as you're able to take them consistently. For some, taking supplements first thing in the morning may be easiest, while others may find that taking them with dinner or just before bed works well for them.

What vitamin should you not take with magnesium? ›

Aminoglycosides: Concomitant use with magnesium may cause neuromuscular weakness and paralysis. Antibiotics: Taking magnesium supplements may reduce the absorption of quinolone antibiotics, tetracycline antibiotics, and nitrofurantoin (Macrodandin).

People with diabetes, intestinal disease, heart disease, or kidney disease should not take magnesium before speaking with their health care provider.

Do not take magnesium oxide as an antacid for longer than 2 weeks unless your doctor tells you to.

When taken in very large amounts (greater than 350 mg daily), magnesium is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Large doses might cause too much magnesium to build up in the body, causing serious side effects including an irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, confusion, slowed breathing, coma, and death.

Which One Is More Effective? Research suggests that magnesium citrate is four times more effective at raising serum magnesium levels compared to magnesium oxide. All-in-all, if you want to experience the robust health benefits of magnesium, citrate is typically the better choice.

Which One Is More Effective? Research suggests that magnesium citrate is four times more effective at raising serum magnesium levels compared to magnesium oxide. All-in-all, if you want to experience the robust health benefits of magnesium, citrate is typically the better choice.

Magnesium oxide is best used for digestive problems and heartburn. Magnesium oxide can also be used to supplement magnesium levels in the body, but it may not work as well as other magnesium compounds that are more readily absorbed into the bloodstream, including those you can get naturally from foods.

People with diabetes, intestinal disease, heart disease or kidney disease should not take magnesium before speaking with their health care provider. Overdose. Signs of a magnesium overdose can include nausea, diarrhea, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, and fatigue. At very high doses, magnesium can be fatal.