Magnesium Citrate

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Magnesium Citrate falls into category C:

In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans, though. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

OR

There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in pregnant women. Magnesium Citrate should be used during pregnancy only if the possible benefit outweighs the possible risk to the unborn baby.

OR

No studies have been done in animals, and no well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. Magnesium Citrate should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Magnesium Citrate is available in the following forms:

• Extended Release Tablet
• Oral Solution
• Oral Tablet

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

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

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

Stop using magnesium citrate and call your doctor at once if you have:

• no bowel movement within 6 hours after taking the medicine;

• pain with bowel movements, rectal bleeding;

• watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, severe stomach pain;

• painful or difficult urination;

• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• weak or shallow breathing, slow heartbeats; or

• muscle weakness, increased thirst.

Common side effects may include:

• loose stools, diarrhea, stomach cramps;

• upset stomach;

• dizziness; or

• increased sweating.

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.

Use this medicine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Chill the solution to make it taste better.
• Take with a full glass of water.
• For hard stools (constipation), take as you have been told by your doctor.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• If you take magnesium citrate on a regular basis, take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than told by the doctor.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Very bad belly pain.
• Very loose stools (diarrhea).

• Citroma [OTC]
• GoodSense Magnesium Citrate [OTC]

• Laxative, Saline
• Magnesium Salt

Magnesium crosses the placenta; serum concentrations in the fetus are similar to those in the mother (Idama, 1998; Osada, 2002). The American Gastroenterological Association considers the use of magnesium citrate as a laxative to be low risk in pregnancy, but long term use should be avoided (not the preferred treatment of chronic constipation) (Mahadevan, 2006).