Magnesium citrate, a combination of magnesium carbonate and citric acid, is a dietary supplement used primarily for the treatment of magnesium deficiency. In larger doses, magnesium citrate also has strong laxative properties. Although widely regarded as safe, the supplement can cause some health threats, ranging from side effects in those sensitive to one or both of the supplement's components to ill effects from excessive magnesium intake. Consult your doctor before using magnesium citrate.
Mild Side Effects
Side effects from magnesium citrate are usually mild and often disappear shortly after you begin taking the supplement. If they persist, talk to your doctor; she might decide to lower your daily dose to minimize or eliminate side effects. The most common side effects are loose stools or diarrhea, according to Canadian naturopath Jonathan Prousky, author of "The Vitamin Cure for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome." These side effects occur most often in patients taking 300 mg or more of the supplement daily and can be eliminated by lowering the dosage by 50 or 100 mg, Prousky says.
Magnesium Citrate Solution
Because of its powerful laxative effects at higher dosages, magnesium citrate solution is widely prescribed for cleaning out the bowel before surgical or diagnostic procedures involving the gastrointestinal tract. When taking this liquid preparation, diarrhea-like evacuation of the bowels is to be expected. However, if your side effects extend beyond diarrhea and mild gastrointestinal discomfort -- mainly bloating -- contact your doctor immediately. More severe side effects may include allergic-like reactions, including rash, hives, difficulty breathing and swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue; bloody stool; dizziness; fainting; severe cramping; and irregular heartbeat, according to the Drugs.com website.
Hypermagnesemia
Magnesium is a mineral your body requires to function efficiently. However, too much magnesium -- a condition known as hypermagnesemia -- can cause serious adverse effects. Early signs and symptoms of hypermagnesemia may include a sudden drop in blood pressure, lethargy, confusion, irregular heartbeat and muscle weakness, according to Adriane Fugh-Berman, author of "The 5-Minute Herb and Dietary Supplement Consult." Seek medical help immediately if you suspect you are suffering from hypermagnesemia. If allowed to go untreated, the symptoms of hypermagnesemia may progress to a diminution or loss of reflexes, complete heart block or cardiac arrest. Fugh-Berman says that doctors may treat hypermagnesemia through an acute infusion of 5 to 10 milliequivalents per liter, or mEq, of calcium, followed by continued infusion of calcium at a reduced rate.
Possible Interactions
Taking magnesium citrate with certain other medications can produce adverse effects, according to Drugs.com. In any discussions with your doctor about the use of magnesium citrate, report any and all other medications you are taking. Adverse interactions have been reported between magnesium citrate and tetracycline antibiotics such as tetracycline, demeclocycline, doxycycline, minocycline and oxytetracycline, according to Drugs.com. Magnesium citrate may also interact with fluoroquinolone antibiotics, penicillamine, digoxin and nitrofurantoin.
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