Generic name: magnesium citrate [mag-NEE-see-um-SIH-trate]
Brand names: Citrate of Magnesia, Citroma, Citroma Cherry, Citroma Lemon, and ColonX are some of the brand names.
Dosage forms: oral pill (125 mg; 133.3 mg), oral liquid (1.745 g/30 mL), oral tablet (100 mg)
Type of drug: Laxatives are a type of drug
What is citrate magnesium?
Magnesium is a mineral that is found in nature and is important for many body processes, especially the muscles and nerves. Magnesium citrate also makes the stomach hold more water.
Magnesium citrate is a laxative that is used to help people who are sometimes constipated.
Magnesium citrate can also be used for things that are not on this list.
Warnings
Follow all of the advice on the label and package of your medicine. Tell each health care worker about all of your health problems, allergies, and medicines.
Before you take this drug
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if you can take magnesium citrate if you have any of the following conditions:
• kidney disease;
• a sudden change in the way you go to the bathroom that has lasted for more than two weeks;
• stomach pain, sickness, or throwing up;
• If your food is low in potassium or magnesium.
It is not known if magnesium citrate will hurt a baby who is still in the womb. If you are pregnant, do not take this medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
No one knows if magnesium citrate gets into breast milk or if it could hurt a baby who is being fed by a mother. If you are breastfeeding a baby, do not take this medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
How much magnesium citrate should I take?
Follow the directions on the package or what your doctor tells you to do. Do not use more or less or for longer than what is suggested.
Take magnesium citrate at least an hour before or two hours after a meal, but not during a meal.
You can measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe that comes with it, or with a spoon or cup made just for that purpose. If you don’t have a device for counting doses, you can get one from your pharmacist.
Drink a full glass of water with this medicine.
When you take magnesium citrate, you should go to the bathroom within 30 minutes to 6 hours.
Call your doctor if your symptoms don’t get better after 7 days, or if the medicine doesn’t help at all. If you take a laxative and still don’t have a bowel movement, it could be a sign of something worse than occasional constipation.
Keep at room temperature and away from heat and moisture.
What will happen if I don’t take a dose?
Since magnesium citrate is used when it is needed, you may not have a set plan for taking it. If you are on a plan, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, don’t take the one you missed. Don’t take more medicine than usual to make up for the dose you missed.
What happens if I overdose?
Get help from a doctor right away or call 1-800-222-1222 to reach the Poison Help line.
What should I stay away from while I’m on magnesium citrate?
Don’t take any other drugs within two hours of taking magnesium citrate or two hours after taking it. Some drugs can be harder for your body to take in when you take a laxative.
Magnesium citrate side effects
If you have hives, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face, lips, tongue, or throat, you may be having an allergic response.
Magnesium citrate may cause major side effects. Stop taking magnesium citrate immediately and call your doctor if you:
• you haven’t gone to the bathroom in 6 hours after taking the medicine;
• pain with bowel movements, blood from the rectal area;
• diarrhea that is watery, sickness, vomiting, and serious stomach pain;
• painful or difficult peeing;
• flushing (feeling warm, red, or tingly);
• feeling dizzy and like you might pass out;
• shallow or weak breathing, or slow heartbeats;
• Weak muscles and more thirst.
Some of the most common side effects of magnesium citrate are:
• diarrhea, loose stools, and stomach pains;
• upset stomach;
• dizziness; or
• a lot more sweating.
This isn’t a full list of all possible side effects, and there may be others. You should talk to your doctor about any side effects. You can call 1-800-FDA-1088 to tell the FDA about side affects.
Magnesium citrate dose information
Normal dose for constipation in adults:
240 mL taken by mouth once.
Normal dose for constipation in children:
6 years old: 0.5 mL/kg daily, up to a maximum of 200 mL. May be done every 4 to 6 hours until stools are clear.
6–12 years: 100–150 mL taken by mouth once.
What other medicines might interact with magnesium citrate?
Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal items may not work well with magnesium citrate. Tell each of your health care workers about all the medicines you take now and any you start or stop taking.
For more details
Remember to keep this and all other medicines out of reach of children, to never give your medicines to other people, and to only use this medicine for what it was given for.
Talk to your doctor or other healthcare source to make sure that the information on this page applies to your situation.
Copyright from 1996 to 2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.02.
