Magnesium citrate is a commonly available formulation of the mineral magnesium. Supplements containing magnesium citrate may be used to increase levels of magnesium in the body or as a laxative. While magnesium citrate is generally safe and well tolerated, it may cause side effects, including loose stools or diarrhea. Like any other health supplement, consult your doctor before taking magnesium citrate.
Loose Stools
Magnesium citrate falls in the category of saline laxatives and possesses potent laxative effects on the human body. As a result, taking magnesium citrate may cause frequent bowel movements, loose stools or diarrhea, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center. Magnesium citrate should only be used to alleviate temporary cases of constipation. Long-term use of magnesium citrate may increase side effects, warns the National Cancer Institute.
Mechanism
As a saline laxative, magnesium citrate greatly increases the concentration of saline, or salt, in your intestines after you ingest it. This increase in salt concentration attracts water into the intestines from your body to balance out the salt concentration, explains the National Cancer Institute. As water fills the intestines, it causes the intestines to become distended, which stimulates contractions of the intestines, leading to loose, watery bowel movements.
Other Side Effects
Due to the laxative effect on the intestines, magnesium citrate may cause a variety of other gastrointestinal side effects. Common side effects include abdominal cramps, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. Frequent use of magnesium citrate may alter the levels of water and electrolytes in your body, possibly leading to an electrolyte imbalance.
Toxicity and Electrolyte Imbalance
In rare cases, taking too much magnesium citrate can cause magnesium levels in the blood to rise to toxic levels, disrupting the levels of electrolytes in the body. Symptoms of magnesium toxicity include muscle weakness, lethargy, confusion, disruption of heart rhythm, changes in blood pressure and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, magnesium toxicity may cause cardiac arrest, convulsion or seizures, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.
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