What is magnesium citrate?
Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral that is important for many systems in the body, especially the muscles and nerves. Magnesium citrate also increases water in the intestines. Magnesium citrate is used as a laxative to treat occasional constipation. Magnesium citrate is available over-the-counter in liquid form to help relieve the symptoms of constipation or to clear out your system leading up to a surgical procedure. Because magnesium citrate pulls fluid from your body’s cells to help clean out your intestines, proper hydration is crucial when you take it. If you struggle with the bitter, harsh flavor of the solution, mix it with another drink to help mask it and make it more tolerable.
Important Information
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
Before taking this medicine
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take magnesium citrate if you have other medical conditions, especially:
- kidney disease;
- a sudden change in bowel habits that has lasted longer than 2 weeks;
- stomach pain, nausea, vomiting; or
- if you are on a low-magnesium or low-potassium diet.
- It is not known whether magnesium citrate will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor’s advice if you are pregnant.
- It is not known whether magnesium citrate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor’s advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take magnesium citrate?
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Take magnesium citrate on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Magnesium citrate should produce a bowel movement within 30 minutes to 6 hours after you take the medicine.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if the medicine produces no results. Not having a bowel movement after using a laxative may be a sign of a condition more serious than occasional constipation.
What Does Magnesium Citrate Taste Like?
Many people complain about the sour and unpleasant taste of most magnesium citrate brands. If you like sour stuff like sour lemon candy, then this will not be a problem. Nevertheless, to make the magnesium citrate taste better, it is important to keep it as cold as possible. It can also be mixed with Gatorade or juice. Another option is to mix Crystal Light fruit drink, mix powder into the magnesium citrate (one tablespoon of Crystal Light for smaller doses or two tablespoons for larger doses. You can also Buy a flavored version of magnesium citrate, preferably lemon-lime.
