Milk of magnesia, or magnesium hydroxide, isn’t likely to harm your kidneys — at least not directly. There’s nothing in this medication that could do any renal damage, especially when the kidneys are functioning properly. Normally, the kidneys manage the excretion of magnesium, as well as other vitamins and minerals, based on your intake. If, on the other hand, you’re dealing with impaired kidney function, this medication may not be the best option for you. Always talk to a doctor before taking this or any other over-the-counter medication.
Milk of Magnesia
While milk of magnesia is generally considered safe, it isn’t without potential side effects. These side effects, however, are almost always gastrointestinal in nature. Milk of magnesia is known to cause nausea, diarrhea, gas, bloating and abdominal cramping. This is at least partly due to the fluids drawn from other body tissue into the colon, helping loosen the stool. It shouldn’t do anything directly to harm the kidneys.
Dehydration
Theoretically, milk of magnesia could damage the kidneys if it somehow caused dehydration as a result of severe diarrhea. Both diarrhea and vomiting can lead to a loss of fluids and electrolytes, increasing the risk of dehydration. Dehydration affects the volume of fluid in your blood, which may then cause a drop in blood pressure. As blood pressure drops, blood flow decreases, potentially depriving organs of oxygen-rich blood. If blood flow declines to the kidneys, they may fail. This is the only possible way for milk of magnesia to damage healthy kidneys, and chances are slim at that.
Toxicity
Although milk of magnesia isn’t likely to harm the kidneys, its use is often problematic for people with impaired kidney function. Milk of magnesia increases your intake of magnesium, and due to the inability of the kidneys to eliminate any excess, you may develop magnesium toxicity. This can cause a fall in blood pressure, lethargy, confusion and abnormal cardiac rhythm, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. It may also worsen already impaired kidney function and lead to cardiac arrest. Talk to your doctor before taking milk of magnesia to treat health conditions.
Warning
Like many medications, milk of magnesia may adversely interact with prescription drugs. Magnesium hydroxide may alter the efficacy of antibiotics, such as tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, levofloxacin, ofloxacin and norfloxacin. Avoid taking with penicillamine, digoxin and nitrofurantoin.
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