Magnesium citrate
Encyclopedia
Magnesium citrate, a magnesium
salt of citric acid
, is a chemical agent used medicinally as a saline laxative
and to completely empty the bowel prior to a major surgery or colonoscopy
. It is available without a prescription, both as a generic brand or under the brand name Citromag or Citroma. It is also used as a magnesium supplement in pills. The magnesium content of magnesium citrate corresponds to about 11% by mass.
. Once in the intestine, it can attract enough water into the intestine to induce defecation. The additional water helps to create more feces, which naturally stimulates bowel motility. This means it can also be used to treat rectal and colon problems. Magnesium citrate functions best on an empty stomach, and should always be followed with a full (eight ounce) glass of water or juice to help the magnesium citrate absorb properly and help prevent any complications. Magnesium citrate is generally not a harmful substance, but care should be taken by consulting a health-care professional if any adverse health problems are suspected or experienced.
(NIH). In addition, according to the NIH, total dietary requirements for magnesium from all sources (i.e. food and supplements) is 320–420 mg of elemental magnesium per day, though there is no UTL for dietary Magnesium. As a laxative syrup with a concentration of 1.745 g of magnesium citrate per fl. oz, a typical dose for adults and children twelve years or older is between 7 USoz, followed immediately with a full 8 USoz glass of water. Consuming an adult dose of 10 oz of laxative syrup (@ 1.745 g/oz) implies a consumption of 17.45 g of magnesium citrate in a single 10 oz dose resulting in a consumption of approximately 2.0 g of elemental magnesium per single dose. Given that this laxative dose contains six times the normal nutritional dose for magnesium, caution should be taken to avoid prolonged usage (i.e. over five days) and to follow the manufacturer's instructions strictly. For children between three and twelve years of age, the typical dose is roughly half that, based on physician recommendation. Magnesium citrate is not recommended for use in children and infants two years of age or less.
Although less common, as a magnesium supplement the citrate form is sometimes used due to its increased bio-availability to other common pill forms, such as magnesium oxide
. However, according to some studies magnesium gluconate
may be more bio-available than magnesium citrate. Higher doses, up to 500 mg daily, have been used effectively in the prophylaxis of migraines, in combination with riboflavin
(vitamin B2) 400 mg and, in some cases, a supplement of coenzyme Q10. Similar dosages apply when used as a supplement to help prevention of kidney stones.
Magnesium citrate, as a supplement in pill form, is useful for the prevention of kidney stone
s.
Magnesium citrate solutions generally produces bowel movement in one half to six hours.
Rectal bleeding or failure to have a bowel movement after use could be signs of a serious condition.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole...
salt of citric acid
Citric acid
Citric acid is a weak organic acid. It is a natural preservative/conservative and is also used to add an acidic, or sour, taste to foods and soft drinks...
, is a chemical agent used medicinally as a saline laxative
Laxative
Laxatives are foods, compounds, or drugs taken to induce bowel movements or to loosen the stool, most often taken to treat constipation. Certain stimulant, lubricant, and saline laxatives are used to evacuate the colon for rectal and/or bowel examinations, and may be supplemented by enemas under...
and to completely empty the bowel prior to a major surgery or colonoscopy
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is the endoscopic examination of the large bowel and the distal part of the small bowel with a CCD camera or a fiber optic camera on a flexible tube passed through the anus. It may provide a visual diagnosis and grants the opportunity for biopsy or removal of suspected...
. It is available without a prescription, both as a generic brand or under the brand name Citromag or Citroma. It is also used as a magnesium supplement in pills. The magnesium content of magnesium citrate corresponds to about 11% by mass.
Mechanism of action
Magnesium citrate works by attracting water through the tissues by a process known as osmosisOsmosis
Osmosis is the movement of solvent molecules through a selectively permeable membrane into a region of higher solute concentration, aiming to equalize the solute concentrations on the two sides...
. Once in the intestine, it can attract enough water into the intestine to induce defecation. The additional water helps to create more feces, which naturally stimulates bowel motility. This means it can also be used to treat rectal and colon problems. Magnesium citrate functions best on an empty stomach, and should always be followed with a full (eight ounce) glass of water or juice to help the magnesium citrate absorb properly and help prevent any complications. Magnesium citrate is generally not a harmful substance, but care should be taken by consulting a health-care professional if any adverse health problems are suspected or experienced.
Use and dosage
The maximum Upper Tolerable Limit for magnesium in supplement form for adults is 350 mg per day of elemental magnesium according to the National Institutes of HealthNational Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
(NIH). In addition, according to the NIH, total dietary requirements for magnesium from all sources (i.e. food and supplements) is 320–420 mg of elemental magnesium per day, though there is no UTL for dietary Magnesium. As a laxative syrup with a concentration of 1.745 g of magnesium citrate per fl. oz, a typical dose for adults and children twelve years or older is between 7 USoz, followed immediately with a full 8 USoz glass of water. Consuming an adult dose of 10 oz of laxative syrup (@ 1.745 g/oz) implies a consumption of 17.45 g of magnesium citrate in a single 10 oz dose resulting in a consumption of approximately 2.0 g of elemental magnesium per single dose. Given that this laxative dose contains six times the normal nutritional dose for magnesium, caution should be taken to avoid prolonged usage (i.e. over five days) and to follow the manufacturer's instructions strictly. For children between three and twelve years of age, the typical dose is roughly half that, based on physician recommendation. Magnesium citrate is not recommended for use in children and infants two years of age or less.
Although less common, as a magnesium supplement the citrate form is sometimes used due to its increased bio-availability to other common pill forms, such as magnesium oxide
Magnesium oxide
Magnesium oxide , or magnesia, is a white hygroscopic solid mineral that occurs naturally as periclase and is a source of magnesium . It has an empirical formula of and consists of a lattice of Mg2+ ions and O2– ions held together by ionic bonds...
. However, according to some studies magnesium gluconate
Magnesium gluconate
Magnesium gluconate is a compound with formula MgC12H22O14. It is the magnesium salt of gluconic acid.It has E number "E580".-Use in medicine:There are data on the pharmacological properties of magnesium gluconate...
may be more bio-available than magnesium citrate. Higher doses, up to 500 mg daily, have been used effectively in the prophylaxis of migraines, in combination with riboflavin
Riboflavin
Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2 or additive E101, is an easily absorbed micronutrient with a key role in maintaining health in humans and animals. It is the central component of the cofactors FAD and FMN, and is therefore required by all flavoproteins. As such, vitamin B2 is required for a...
(vitamin B2) 400 mg and, in some cases, a supplement of coenzyme Q10. Similar dosages apply when used as a supplement to help prevention of kidney stones.
Magnesium citrate, as a supplement in pill form, is useful for the prevention of kidney stone
Kidney stone
A kidney stone, also known as a renal calculus is a solid concretion or crystal aggregation formed in the kidneys from dietary minerals in the urine...
s.
Side effects
It is always important to correctly follow the prescribed doses; extreme magnesium overdose can result in serious complication such as slow heart beat, low blood pressure, nausea, drowsiness, etc. If severe enough, an overdose can even result in coma or death. However, a moderate overdose will be excreted through the kidneys, unless one suffers from serious kidney problems.Magnesium citrate solutions generally produces bowel movement in one half to six hours.
Rectal bleeding or failure to have a bowel movement after use could be signs of a serious condition.
See also
- Trimagnesium citrateTrimagnesium citrateTrimagnesium citrate is a salt of magnesium and citric acid. It is more highly soluble than other organic magnesium salts, with a solubility of 200 g/L in water. Commonly taken as a laxative....
A more alkaline version of this salt, with 50% more magnesium. It is also available through pill or tablet form if needed. - ATC code A12ATC code A12-A12AA Calcium:-A12AA Calcium:-A12AA Calcium::A12AA01 Calcium phosphate:A12AA02 Calcium glubionate:A12AA03 Calcium gluconate:A12AA04 Calcium carbonate:A12AA05 Calcium lactate:A12AA06 Calcium lactate gluconate:A12AA07 Calcium chloride...
External links
- Saline laxatives. MedicineNet.
- Magnesium citrate Patient Advice. Drugs.com.