magnesium oxide

What is the most important information I should know about magnesium oxide?

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 is 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.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking magnesium oxide?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medicine 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.

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

How should I take 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.

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

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since magnesium oxide is sometimes used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are on a schedule, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, weakness, breathing problems, slow reflexes, weak pulse, extreme drowsiness, and feeling dizzy or light-headed.

What should I avoid while taking magnesium oxide?

Magnesium oxide can make it harder for your body to absorb other medicines you take by mouth. Avoid taking other medicines within 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take magnesium oxide. You may need to wait 4 hours to take your other medicines after taking magnesium oxide. Ask your doctor how to best schedule your medications.

What are the possible side effects of magnesium oxide?

• 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 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.

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.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about magnesium oxide.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum'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. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.01. Revision date: 4/28/2017.