Magnesium Citrate Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Magnesium Citrate Capsule, generically known as magnesium citrate, is a saline laxative. It is used as a supplement to maintain adequate magnesium in the body and also used as a laxative to treat occasional constipation. It works by helping your intestines hold onto water, making it easier to have a bowel movement. It is available as capsules, liquid, and tablets.

What is Magnesium Citrate Capsule

Magnesium citrate is used as a supplement to maintain adequate magnesium in the body and also used as a laxative to treat occasional constipation.

Magnesium Citrate Capsule uses

• Used as a supplement to maintain adequate magnesium in the body
• Used as a laxative to treat occasional constipation

Benefits of Magnesium Citrate Capsule

• May improve arterial stiffness and reduce heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure
• May help reduce fasting blood sugar and improve HbA1c levels in people with diabetes
• May help manage anxiety and depression symptoms
• May improve sleep quality

How Magnesium Citrate Capsule works

Magnesium citrate is a saline laxative. It helps your intestines hold onto water, making it easier to have a bowel movement.

Magnesium Citrate Capsule dosage

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Take with a full glass of liquid with each dose. Shake the liquid medicine and measure a dose with the supplied measuring device, not a kitchen spoon. Chewable tablets must be chewed before swallowing.

Taking more than the recommended amount will not make the medicine work better and may cause serious side effects. Magnesium citrate can be taken at any time of day, with or without food; taking it before bed may help improve sleep quality. Only take this medication when you know you'll have access to a bathroom, and avoid taking it too close to bedtime.

Take other medications at least 2 hours before or after magnesium citrate because laxatives can affect how other medications work. Call your doctor if constipation symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if the medicine produces no results. Do not allow a young child to use magnesium citrate without help from an adult.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral capsule
• Oral liquid
• Oral tablet

Side effects of Magnesium Citrate Capsule

Common

• Loose stools, diarrhea, stomach cramps
• Upset stomach
• Dizziness
• Increased sweating
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Gas
• Mild abdominal pain

Serious

• Pain with bowel movements, rectal bleeding
• Watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, severe stomach pain
• Painful or difficult urination
• Flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling)
• A light-headed feeling, like you might pass out
• Weak or shallow breathing, slow heartbeats
• Muscle weakness, increased thirst
• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Dizziness or fainting
• Muscle paralysis
• Troubled breathing

Warnings and precautions

• Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
• Talk to your doctor before using magnesium citrate if you have kidney disease, since it might not be safe for you. Do not exceed the recommended dose on the product label. If you have kidney disease, consult a doctor before taking magnesium citrate because magnesium can accumulate in the body.
• Magnesium citrate may cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, or stomach discomfort. Avoid taking it together with other magnesium-containing supplements unless advised by a healthcare professional. Magnesium can reduce the absorption of levothyroxine and some antibiotics. Keep an appropriate time gap between these medicines and magnesium.
• Tell your doctor if you have heart disease or significant electrolyte abnormalities. Stop and seek medical advice if you develop severe or persistent diarrhea, weakness, confusion, or an irregular heartbeat. Keep capsules out of reach of children.
• Ask a doctor or pharmacist if magnesium citrate is safe to use if you have had a sudden change in bowel habits lasting longer than 2 weeks, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, trouble swallowing, are on a low-magnesium, low-sodium, or low-potassium diet, or have kidney disease.
• Avoid taking any other medicines within 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take magnesium citrate, because laxatives can make it harder for your body to absorb other medicines taken by mouth.
• Stop taking magnesium citrate and call your provider if you have rectal bleeding or can't have a bowel movement after taking it, since these could be signs of a more serious problem.
• Stop taking magnesium citrate and call your provider if you have used laxatives for longer than 1 week or if constipation lasts longer than 2 weeks, as you might need more medical attention.

Storage

Store at cool room temperature away from moisture and heat.

When to see a doctor

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using magnesium citrate and call your doctor at once if you have pain with bowel movements, rectal bleeding, watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, severe stomach pain, painful or difficult urination, flushing, a light-headed feeling like you might pass out, weak or shallow breathing, slow heartbeats, or muscle weakness and increased thirst.

Seek emergency medical attention or contact your local poison control center if you think you have taken too much.

Alternatives

• Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide)
• Polyethylene glycol (Miralax)
• Magnesium glycinate
• Magnesium chloride