Magnesium citrate is a powerful laxative. Doctors typically prescribe magnesium citrate as part of a bowel-cleansing regimen to prepare a patient for a colonoscopy. Most people who take the compound find the taste unpleasant, but a few precautions may help eliminate some of the unpleasantness.
Instructions
Step 1
Purchase a flavored bottle of magnesium citrate. The substance on its own has a foul flavor and anything to mask that can help.
Step 2
Fast the day before and the day of on a clear-liquid diet. If you are taking the magnesium citrate as preparation for a procedure, follow the instructions of your doctor, as the magnesium citrate may be only one part of a more complex cleanse regimen and you may be required to fast longer.
Step 3
Chill the magnesium citrate in the refrigerator. The cold will help mitigate some of the taste. If needed, pour the magnesium citrate over ice to make it colder.
Step 4
Follow your doctor's orders -- or the instructions on the back of the bottle -- and drink the proper amount of magnesium citrate quickly. It likely won't taste good, so the quicker the better. Taking a bite out of a lemon may help remove some of the taste from your mouth
Step 5
Drink a glass of water, and continue to drink water throughout the day. As with all laxatives, magnesium citrate sucks all the water from your body and can easily dehydrate you.
Tips and Warnings
- It is beneficial to stay home for several hours after taking magnesium citrate.
- Remember to stay hydrated.
Things You'll Need
- Magnesium citrate
- Water
- Lemon, optional
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