magnesium citrate at a glance
Medicine class
Oral magnesium mineral supplement
Licensed use
Treatment and prevention of magnesium deficiency
Who it is for
The selected tablet is licensed from 12 years of age
Common problem
Soft stools or diarrhoea can occur
What is magnesium citrate used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Treating confirmed magnesium deficiency in adults and people aged 12 years and over.
Preventing magnesium deficiency when oral replacement is clinically appropriate.
How does magnesium citrate work?
Magnesium citrate separates into magnesium and citrate ions after ingestion. Magnesium supports numerous enzyme reactions, cellular electrolyte balance, and normal nerve, muscle and cardiac function. Absorption occurs mainly in the small intestine; unabsorbed magnesium can loosen stools.
magnesium citrate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 97 mg, 4 mmol
How to take magnesium citrate
Take the tablets by mouth as directed on the prescription label. They may be broken along the score line to make swallowing easier, but the halves are not equal doses.
Do not use the score line to measure a partial dose.
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist if swallowing tablets is difficult; an oral-solution formulation may be more suitable.
If diarrhoea develops, contact the prescriber or pharmacist because treatment may need review.
magnesium citrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Soft stools or diarrhoea, particularly with greater exposure.
- Gastrointestinal irritation may occur.
Get urgent medical advice
- Possible magnesium toxicity: pronounced drowsiness, confusion, muscle weakness, low blood pressure or faintness, abnormal heartbeat, reduced reflexes or breathing difficulty.
- Persistent fatigue during long-term use may indicate an elevated magnesium level and needs clinical review.
magnesium citrate in pregnancy
The selected product can be used during pregnancy when clinically needed. Discuss its use with a pharmacist, midwife or prescriber, especially if other medicines are being taken; the product information advises avoiding aminoglycoside antibiotics alongside it during pregnancy.
magnesium citrate while breastfeeding
The selected product can be used while breastfeeding. Magnesium is present naturally in breast milk, and effects in breastfed infants are not anticipated with therapeutic use; seek professional advice if the infant is premature, unwell or develops unexpected symptoms.
magnesium citrate interactions
Magnesium can bind some medicines in the gut or be affected by medicines that alter magnesium balance. A pharmacist or prescriber may advise taking interacting medicines at different times or monitoring blood levels.
Tetracycline antibiotics and fluorides
Magnesium can reduce absorption when taken together, so administration should be separated as professionally directed.
Iron, bisphosphonates, penicillamine and eltrombopag
Magnesium may impair absorption; take at different times according to professional advice.
Aminoquinolines, quinidine-related medicines and nitrofurantoin
Absorption may be reduced when given with magnesium.
Common questions about magnesium citrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is magnesium citrate used for?
The selected prescription tablet is licensed to treat and prevent magnesium deficiency in people aged 12 years and over.
Is magnesium citrate a laxative?
The selected tablet is licensed for magnesium deficiency, not constipation. However, magnesium that remains unabsorbed in the bowel can cause soft stools or diarrhoea.
Can magnesium citrate tablets be split?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.