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| Magnesium citrate | |
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| IUPAC name | Magnesium citrate |
| Molecular formula | C6H6O7Mg |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | [7779-25-1] |
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| Properties | |
| Molar mass | 214.41 g/mol |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox references |
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Magnesium citrate is a chemical agent used medicinally as a saline laxative and to empty the bowel prior to a 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%.
Magnesium citrate works by attracting water through the tissues by a process known as osmosis. Once in the intestine, it can attract enough water into the intestine to induce defecation. The additional water also 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 to consult with a health professional if any adverse health problems are suspected or felt.
Magnesium citrate, as a supplement in pill form, is also cited as useful for the prevention of kidney stone.citation needed
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Dosage
The maximum upper tolerable limit for magnesium supplementation in adults is 350 mg per day of elemental magnesium according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).[1] In addition, according to the NIH, total dietary requirements for magnesium from all sources (i.e. food and/or supplements) is 360 mg of elemental magnesium per day. 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 seven to ten fluid ounces (the latter being 300 mL), followed immediately with a full eight fluid-ounce glass of water. Consuming an adult dose of 10 oz of laxative syrup (@ 1.745 g/oz) implies a consumption of 17.41 g of magnesium citrate in a single 10 oz dose resulting in a consumption of approximately 2000 mg of elemental magnesium per single dose. Given that this laxative dose contains 6 times the normal nutritional dose for magnesium, caution should be taken to avoid prolonged usage (i.e. over 5 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.citation needed
Although less common, as a magnesium supplement the citrate form is sometimes used due to its increased bioavailability to other common pill forms, such as magnesium oxide. However, according to some studies magnesium gluconate may be more bioavailable than magnesium citrate.[2] Extremely high doses, e.g. 650 milligrams, have been used in the prophylaxis of migraines, in combination with riboflavin and, sometimes, low doses of amitriptyline. Similar dosages apply when used as a supplement to help prevention of kidney stone.
It is always important to correctly follow the doses prescribed by your doctor or physician; 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. [3]
Contraindications and precautions
Do not use magnesium citrate solutions if you are on a low salt diet since those syrups usually contain a high level of sodium, under the form of sodium bicarbonate.
Ask a doctor before use if you have:
- kidney disease
- a magnesium or sodium-restricted diet
- abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
- noticed a sudden change in bowels habits that persists over a period of two weeks
- already used a laxative for a period longer than one week
Ask a doctor or a pharmacist before use if you are taking any other drug. Take magnesium citrate solutions two or more hours before or after any other drugs. Laxatives may affect how other drugs work.
If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before to use magnesium citrate solutions.
Symptoms and effects
Magnesium citrate solutions generally produces bowel movement in one half to six hours.
Stop use and ask a doctor if you have rectal bleeding or failure to have a bowel movement after use. These could be signs of a serious condition.
Taste and appearance
Magnesium citrate can be clear or colored, due to the flavoring agents. Magnesium citrate generally comes in lemon or lemon-lime flavor, but can come in cherry, orange and grape as well. It has an extremely sour taste, but chilling it in the refrigerator or pouring it over a glass of ice can help with the unpleasant taste. Only the lemon or lemon-lime flavors should be used in preparation for a colonoscopy, as the other colors are produced with dyes that would produce false indications in the scan. When dry, magnesium citrate is a white powder.
See also
- Trimagnesium citrate A more alkaline version of this salt, with 50% more magnesium.
- ATC code A12
References
- ^ Magnesium, Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health
- ^ C Coudray, M Rambeau, C Feillet-Coudray, E Gueux, JC Tressol, A Mazur, Y Rayssiguier (2005). "Study of magnesium bioavailability from ten organic and inorganic Mg salts in Mg-depleted rats using a stable isotope approach". Magnesium Research 18 (4): 215-223.
- ^ magnesium citrate, at PeaceHealth.org
External links
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 6 October 2008, at 01:21.
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