Magnesium is a mineral you normally obtain from foods. The nutrient is present in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. Without magnesium, your muscles lose their ability to contract. A deficiency also affects enzymatic function as well as protein and energy production. The mineral is available as a dietary supplement to treat low levels of the magnesium. Negative drug interactions and other hazards are associated with supplementation. Take magnesium only if your doctor prescribes it.
Drug Suppression
Disclose to your doctor all supplements and drugs you take. She needs to check for potential interactions before she can safely prescribe magnesium supplementation. The mineral attaches itself to tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics, affecting the drugs’ therapeutic effects. The nutrient interacts with the medicine nitrofurantoin in the same manner. Evidence also shows that magnesium may reduce the healing effect of the thyroid drug levothyroxine. Likewise, the supplement can interfere with osteoporosis medications.
Increased Drug Absorption
The potential for hypoglycemia -- abnormally low levels of blood sugar -- exists when you take diabetes drugs and magnesium hydroxide, one of several forms of magnesium supplements available. That type of magnesium intensifies your body's assimilation of medications that lower blood sugar, magnifying their effect.
Magnified Drug Side Effects
Magnesium taken with hypertension drugs known as calcium channel blockers increases the risk of side effects caused by the blood-pressure medicine. You may feel nauseous and dizzy, and your body might retain fluid.
Other Magnesium Side Effects
Besides drug interactions, magnesium supplements may cause diarrhea. In fact, your doctor may prescribe the mineral if you become constipated or need your bowel emptied before a medical procedure. Stomach cramps are also possible.
Hypermagnesemia
Your kidneys remove excess magnesium from your bloodstream, preventing toxic levels of the mineral. If the organs become impaired, the magnesium level might rise to an unhealthy concentration, a condition known as hypermagnesemia. The same problem occurs if you regularly overdose on the supplement. Hypermagnesemia symptoms include cognitive impairment, loss of appetite, problems breathing, hypotension -- abnormally low blood pressure -- abnormal heartbeat, muscle weakness, diarrhea and nausea.
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