magnesium hydroxide: clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• Confirm whether treatment is intended for acid-related symptoms or occasional constipation.
• Review persistent constipation or recurrent indigestion rather than continuing repeated self-treatment.
• Use cautiously in older, debilitated patients and those with hepatic or renal impairment.
• Check the full medicines list for absorption interactions.

Contraindications and cautions

• Severe renal failure
• Acute gastrointestinal conditions
• Hypersensitivity to magnesium salts or any product ingredient

Monitoring

• Assess renal function where impairment is suspected.
• Consider serum magnesium and other electrolytes after prolonged or excessive exposure, especially with renal impairment.
• Review persistent gastrointestinal symptoms or troublesome diarrhoea.

Clinical pharmacology

Magnesium hydroxide slowly neutralises gastric acid and has a mild osmotic laxative effect. Magnesium salts are poorly absorbed orally; absorbed magnesium is cleared mainly through the kidneys.

Formulation and product differences

• The selected product is a shake-before-use oral suspension.
• It contains sodium benzoate and is described as essentially sodium-free.
• The selected suspension should not be frozen, should be stored below the stated pack temperature and discarded three months after opening.