Magnesium pills are a type of nutritional supplement used to increase magnesium levels in people who do not have enough of this substance in their bodies. Adults in the United States typically get their daily recommended intake of 270 to 400 mg magnesium from ingesting foods rich in this nutrient, such as nuts, beans and green, leafy vegetables, MayoClinic.com reports. If you are unable to consume sufficient levels of magnesium from your normal diet, your doctor may recommend treatment with magnesium pills. Discuss the side effects of magnesium pills with your health care professional before taking this supplement.
Diarrhea
While taking magnesium pills, you may develop diarrhea, the Office of Dietary Supplements reports. Frequent bowel movement urges may be uncomfortable and may occur in conjunction with nausea, vomiting or abdominal gas, pain or cramping. If you notice blood in your stools, which may cause your stools to appear unusually black or tar-like, seek prompt medical care. Bloody stools may indicate a severe reaction to magnesium pills.
Abnormal Reflexes
Treatment with this nutritional supplement may cause you to develop abnormally slow reflexes, Drugs.com warns. Loss of normal reflexes may also be accompanied by muscle weakness or difficulty moving about normally. Such side effects are serious and require prompt attention from a medical provider.
Overdose Symptoms
Ingesting unusually high doses of magnesium may cause you to develop symptoms of overdose. Overdose complications are more common in people who have poor kidney function due to kidney damage or disease, according to MayoClinic.com. Magnesium overdose symptoms include severe drowsiness, difficulty breathing, diminished heart rate, stomach upset, weakness, dizziness, loss of consciousness, blurred vision or coma. If you suspect that you or a loved one has overdosed on magnesium pills, seek immediate emergency medical care.
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