Magnesium

What is it?
Magnesium is a mineral and electrolyte that is essential for life. It is used to treat migraine headaches, osteoporosis (bone loss), diabetes, heart problems, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), kidney stones, constipation (trouble having bowel movements), asthma, and alcohol withdrawal.

Other names for Magnesium include: Magnesium (Mag or Mg) Citrate, Mag Gluconate, Mag Glycinate, Mag Oxide and Elemental Magnesium.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.

Before Using:
Tell your doctor if you

• are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
• are breastfeeding
• have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease

Dosage:
Talk with your caregiver about how much Magnesium you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking Magnesium. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the medicine bottle. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you to.

To store this medicine:
Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.

Drug and Food Interactions:
Do not take Magnesium without talking to your doctor first if you are taking:

• Antibiotics (examples: gentamicin, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin (Cipro(R)), levofloxacin (Levaquin(R)))
• Neuromuscular blockers (surgery drugs, examples: cisatracurium, rocuronium, vecuronium, succinylcholine)
• High blood pressure or heart medicines (examples: felodipine (Plendil(R)), nifedipine (Procardia(R)), diltiazem (Cardizem(R), Dilacor(R)), verapamil (Calan(R) Isoptin(R)))
• Labetalol (Normodyne(R), Trandate(R))
• Levomethadyl (Orlaam(R))
• Doxercalciferol (Hectoral(R))

Warnings:

• Before taking Magnesium, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Do not use if you have severe kidney disease or heart problems (1)

Side Effects:
Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.

• Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
• Chest pain
• Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin

Other Side Effects:
You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.

• Large doses may cause diarrhea (loose stools) (1)

References:
1. Anon: Facts and Comparisons(R). Facts and Comparisons Inc, St Louis, MO; 1999.
2. Lima M, Cruz T, Carreiro Pousada J et al: The effect of magnesium supplementation in increasing doses on the control of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 1998; 21:682-686.
3. Peikert A, Wilimzig C & Kohne-Volland R: Prophylaxis of migraine with oral magnesium: results from a prospective, multi-center, placebo-controlled and double-blind randomized study. Cephalagia 1996; 16:257-263.
4. Taubert K: Magnesium in migraine. Results of a multicenter pilot study (German). Fortschr Med 1994; 112(24):328-330.
5. Johansson G, Backman U, Danielson BG et al: Biochemical and clinical effects of the prophylactic treatment of renal calcium stones with magnesium hydroxide. J Urol 1980; 124:770-774.
6. Rude RK & Olerich M: Magnesium deficiency: possible role in osteoporosis associated with gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Osteoporosis Int 1996; 6:453-461.
7. Walker AF, De Souza MC, Vickers MF et al: Magnesium supplementation alleviates premenstrual symptoms of fluid retention. J Womens Health 1998; 7(9):1157-1165.
8. AHFS: American Society of Hospital Pharmacists Drug Information. Bethesda, MD; 1994.
9. Benitz WE & Tatro DS: The Pediatric Drug Handbook, 2nd ed. Year Book Medical Publishers, Chicago, IL; 1988.
10. L'Hommedieu CS, Nicholas D, Armes DA et al: Potentiation of magnesium sulfate induced neuromuscular weakness by gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin. J Pediatr 1983; 102:629-631.
11. Watson A, Coffey L, Keogh B et al: Severe hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia following gentamicin therapy. Ir Med J 1983; 76:381-383.
12. Pittman J: Magnesium sulphate for pre-eclampsia and a sudden bradycardia. Br J Anaesth 2000; 85:327-328.
13. Product Information: Orlaam(R), levomethadyl. Roxane Laboratories, Inc., Columbus, Ohio, (PI revised 5/2001) reviewed 2/2002.
14. Nix DE, Watson WA, Lener ME et al: Effects of aluminum and magnesium antacids and ranitidine on the absorption of ciprofloxacin. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1989a; 46:700-705.
15. Product Information: Nimbex(R) injection, cisatracurium besylate. Glaxo Wellcome Inc, Research Triangle Park, NC; 1998.
16. Snyder SW & Capewell MS: Neuromuscular blockade with magnesium sulfate and nifedipine. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1989; 161: 35-36.