Magnesium oxide

Generic name: Magnesium Oxide
Drug class: Minerals and electrolytes

Usage of Magnesium oxide

Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral. Magnesium is important for many systems in the body especially the muscles and nerves.

Magnesium oxide is used as a supplement to maintain adequate magnesium in the body.

Magnesium oxide is also used as an antacid to treat indigestion, or as a laxative to relieve occasional constipation.

Magnesium oxide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Magnesium oxide side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic Reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Magnesium oxide may cause serious side effects. Stop using magnesium oxide and call your doctor at once if you have:

rectal bleeding;

coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

bloody or tarry stools; or

no bowel movement after using magnesium oxide as a laxative.

Common side effects of magnesium oxide may include:

diarrhea; or

upset stomach.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Magnesium oxide

You should not use magnesium oxide if you are allergic to it.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use magnesium oxide if you have other medical conditions, especially:

kidney disease;

heart disease;

nausea, vomiting;

a blockage in your intestines;

low levels of calcium in your blood; or

a sudden change in bowel habits for 2 weeks or longer.

It is not known whether magnesium oxide will harm an unborn baby. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether magnesium oxide passes into breast milk or if it could affect a nursing baby. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are breast-feeding.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Magnesium oxide should not be given to a child younger than 6 years old.

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How to use Magnesium oxide

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

When using this medicine as a laxative, it may be best to take your dose at bedtime.

Magnesium oxide may be taken with food if it upsets your stomach.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if symptoms get worse.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Warnings

Before you take magnesium oxide, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions or allergies, and all the medicines you are using. Also make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. In some cases, you may not be able to take magnesium oxide, or you may need a dose adjustment or special precautions.

What other drugs will affect Magnesium oxide

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take magnesium oxide if you are also using any of the following drugs:

an antibiotic;

a diuretic or "water pill";

Penicillamine;

a blood thinner--Warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or

medicine to treat osteoporosis or Paget's disease--alendronate, Ibandronate, risedronate, Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with magnesium oxide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

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