Magnesium citrate is a form of supplemental magnesium that you may use to correct a magnesium deficiency caused by medications such as antibiotics or diuretics. Your doctor also may recommend magnesium supplements if you are at risk for a magnesium deficiency because you have poorly controlled diabetes, are an alcoholic, have a malabsorptive problem like Crohn's disease or are a senior citizen. If you notice a black tongue when taking magnesium citrate, chances are that this supplement isn’t the direct cause.
Magnesium Citrate and Your Tongue
While magnesium citrate doesn’t directly cause a black tongue, it may cause your tongue to swell. If your tongue swells when you take magnesium citrate, seek emergency medical attention, because this is one sign of an allergic reaction. Other signs of an allergic reaction include closing of your throat, difficulty breathing; hives and swelling in your lips or face. Less serious side effects that merit consulting your doctor but not a trip to the emergency room include diarrhea, sweating, and upset stomach and dizziness. Magnesium citrate does have a historical association with black tongue. Black tongue was one of the common names for diphtheria in the early 1900s, and magnesium citrate was sometimes administered to people suffering this disease.
The Bismuth Connection
Magnesium citrate can increase the amount of water drawn to your intestines, which may produce a laxative effect. If you take a bismuth-containing medicine to correct loose stools due to using magnesium citrate you may end up with a black tongue. Bismuth is a common antidiarrheal agent that works by reducing the flow of electrolytes and fluids into your bowel. It’s also useful for reducing inflammation in your intestine. This medicine often comes as a chewable tablet, but is also available in liquid or pill form.
Antibiotic Use
If you are taking antibiotics at the same time you use magnesium citrate or just prior to using this supplement, you may end up with a black tongue. That’s because antibiotics can alter the normal yeast and bacterial content of your mouth. Bacteria and other organisms cause black tongue discoloration when they collect on the projections on your tongue called papillae. Discoloration also may be brown or yellow.
Considerations
Your black tongue may not be related to the foods, supplements or medicines you consume. Breathing through your mouth, heavy tobacco use and poor oral hygiene that allows debris to build up on your papillae may be the cause. Overzealous oral hygiene with mouthwashes that have oxidizing agents including peroxide or astringent agents like menthol or witch hazel also may be to blame.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Black, Hairy Tongue
- Medline Plus: Bismuth Subsalicylate
- Drugs.com: Magnesium Citrate
- The American Journal of Clinical Medicine; American Association of Physician Specialists
- Diphtheria; Rollin R. Gregg
- U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements: Magnesium
- Journal of Urology: Potassium-Magnesium Citrate is an Effective Prophylaxis Against Recurrent Calcium Oxalate Nephrolithiasis; B. Ettinger, et al.
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