Magnesium Oxide

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Jan 12, 2023

Warnings

Magnesium Oxide Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Magnesium oxide can cause or worsen health conditions in some people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options if you are at increased risk of complications from magnesium oxide use.

DIARRHEA: Using magnesium oxide has a laxative effect and can cause a loose bowel movement (diarrhea). This can lead to dehydration. The signs and symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, dizziness, and reduced urine output. Call your doctor if you think you might be dehydrated.
TOXICITY: Do not take high doses of magnesium oxide or take the supplement for more than 2 weeks. Too much magnesium in the body can cause serious side effects, including flushing, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and lethargy. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms. Seek emergency medical help if you experience difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, or abnormal heart rhythm (fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat). People with kidney problems may need to take a lower dose of magnesium oxide supplements.

Precautions Before Starting Magnesium oxide

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to magnesium oxide, other antacids, or any other medications. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients in magnesium oxide supplements.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a full list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible drug interactions.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Magnesium oxide may not be right for people with certain medical conditions such as heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, intestinal diseases, and high blood pressure.

Tell your doctor if you are on a special diet, such as a low-salt or low-sugar diet.

Also, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, plan to get pregnant, or are breast feeding (this medicine may pass into breast milk and affect a nursing baby).

Precautions During Use of Magnesium Oxide

Tell all your healthcare professionals you are taking magnesium oxide.

Stop using magnesium oxide and call your healthcare provider immediately if you have bloody or tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee-grounds, or you are coughing up blood.

Call your doctor if you become pregnant while on magnesium oxide.

Magnesium Oxide Drug Interactions

Certain other drugs can affect how magnesium oxide works. Possible interactions between magnesium oxide and other medicines can increase the risk of severe adverse reactions.

The following medications may have interactions with magnesium oxide:

Other antacids
Medicines used to treat stomach ulcers, such as cimetidine (Tagamet)
Other laxatives
Aspirin
Diuretics or water pills
Certain antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and doxycycline
Bisphosphonates like alendronate (Fosamax)
Anticoagulants or blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin)
Vitamins

The above list may not describe all possible interactions of magnesium oxide. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, OTC (non-prescription) medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare professionals if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with medications and supplements.

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