According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, magnesium is beneficial to help maintain normal muscle and nerve function. It also keeps your heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, keeps bones strong, and helps regulate blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Aside from the benefits of magnesium supplementation, you should be aware of some possible side effects.
Drowsiness
Patients taking magnesium may develop drowsiness. You should use caution while driving or completing tasks which may be dangerous until you know how supplementation with magnesium will affect you. Severe or persistent drowsiness should be brought to the attention of a physician.
Mouth, Nose and Throat Complications
Magnesium supplementation can lead to drying or an increase of mucous production in the mouth, nose, and throat. The use of a saline nasal wash may help to decrease these effects. If mucous production becomes yellow or green in color, or is accompanied by fever, cough, swollen lymph nodes, or sinus pressure it may be a sign of an infection and a physician should be notified.
Nausea
According to Drugs.com, a possible side effect of magnesium is nausea. Taking magnesium with food or milk may help to diminish nausea. Eating a bland diet with smaller meals more frequently may be helpful to combat nausea. If nausea leads to persistent vomiting, it may place you at an additional risk for developing dehydration. You should increase your fluid intake and notify your doctor.
Diarrhea
Patients taking magnesium may develop diarrhea. Diarrhea can be dangerous over time leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Increasing your fluid intake and eating foods that are high in bulk such as rice, bananas and toast can be helpful to alleviate diarrhea. Over the counter medications such as Immodium may be helpful for persistent diarrhea. Drinking an electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte or Gatorade can help to replenish the body's electrolytes. If you are taking magnesium and experiencing chronic diarrhea you should consult your health care provider for further instruction.
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