You may take magnesium hydroxide if you need to alleviate constipation or to reduce acid reflux. Sold as an over-the-counter laxative in most cases, the medication contains the mineral magnesium that helps your nerves and muscles to work properly. Taken in this form, usually as a liquid, it helps to decrease the amount of acid in your stomach. It also may produce more liquid in your intestines, which may help relieve your constipation. You should consult your physician before taking magnesium hydroxide. It may also interact with other medications you may be taking. If you experience any side effects, you should contact your doctor.
Diarrhea
When you take magnesium hydroxide for either constipation or heartburn and acid reflux, the most common side effect you may experience is diarrhea. Because magnesium hydroxide helps raise the level of fluid in your intestines, this creates a higher fluid-to-solid material ratio than normal, which helps break up the hardened, dry stools causing your constipation. However, the medication can produce too much water in your bowels, which will cause diarrhea and possible intestinal cramping.
Stomach Cramps
You may experience cramps in your stomach from taking magnesium hydroxide. The cramps may be mild to severe, and they may occur even if you do not get diarrhea from the medicine. MedlinePlus states you should seek the advice of your physician immediately if you get cramps in your stomach.
Nausea
Magnesium hydroxide can cause discomfort in your stomach even without cramps. It may make you feel sick to your stomach. In some cases, you may experience vomiting. The medication itself, or some of its side effects, may cause you to lose your appetite. The queasiness in your stomach or the discomfort in your bowels may simply make you feel you cannot eat. This adverse reaction to magnesium hydroxide does not classify as serious. You should get your appetite back once your body gets used to the medication or you discontinue taking it. If your appetite does not return, consult your doctor.
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