What is Magnesium Hydroxide?
Magnesium is a natural mineral. Magnesium hydroxide decreases stomach acid and increases the amount of water in the intestines, which may induce bowel movements. Magnesium hydroxide is used as a laxative to relieve occasional constipation and as an antacid to relieve indigestion, stomach acid, and heartburn.
Uses of Magnesium Hydroxide
Magnesium hydroxide is primarily used for:
- Occasional constipation: It helps to make bowel movements easier by bringing water into the intestines.
- Heartburn, upset stomach, or indigestion: It works like an antacid, reducing stomach acid to ease discomfort.
- Magnesium deficiency: It helps treat and prevent low magnesium levels caused by different health issues. Magnesium deficiency usually occurs when people have
- Liver disorders
- Heart failure
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Kidney dysfunction
- other conditions
- High blood pressure in pregnancy: It's given through a vein to lower high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia) during pregnancy and prevent seizures.
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Get A Second OpinionMagnesium Hydroxide Side Effects
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Muscle weakness
- Respiratory depression
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Lightheadedness
- Fast breathing
- Loose watery frequent stools
How to use Magnesium Hydroxide Suspension?
- Take it by mouth as instructed. If it's chewable, chew it thoroughly before swallowing. For the liquid form, shake the bottle well before each dose.
- Use a special measuring device or spoon to carefully measure your dose. Avoid using a regular household spoon, as it may not give the correct dose.
- If you're using it for constipation, drink a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) with each dose.
- Follow all the directions on the product package or as directed by your doctor.
Remember:
- Using it for a long time or too frequently for constipation may lead to reliance on laxatives and ongoing constipation.
- Overuse can cause persistent diarrhea, dehydration, and mineral imbalance.
- If your condition persists or worsens, inform your doctor. Bowel movements may take between 30 minutes and 6 hours to relieve constipation.
- Don't use this or other laxatives regularly for more than a week without consulting your doctor.
- If you have stomach acid issues, don't take the maximum dose for more than two weeks unless directed by your doctor.
Precautions To Follow
- Inform your doctor about any allergies you have to magnesium hydroxide or any other medications, as well as any ingredients in magnesium hydroxide products.
- Let your doctor know about all prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products you're taking or plan to take. They may need to adjust your doses or monitor you for side effects.
- If you're taking other medications, take them at least 2 hours before or after taking magnesium hydroxide.
- Inform your doctor if you experience stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or sudden changes in bowel habits lasting more than 2 weeks. Also, disclose any history of kidney disease.
- If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, inform your doctor. Contact your doctor if you become pregnant while using magnesium hydroxide.
Magnesium hydroxide Vs Magnesium oxide
| Magnesium hydroxide | Magnesium oxide |
|---|---|
| Inorganic compound | White hygroscopic solid mineral |
| Formula: Mg(OH)2 | Formula: MgO |
| As a laxative, magnesium hydroxide is used to alleviate frequent constipation. | This drug is a mineral supplement that is used to avoid low levels of magnesium in the blood and to treat it. |
| Molar mass: 58.3197 g/mol | Molar mass: 40.3044 g/mol |
Citations
Effects of magnesium hydroxide in renal stone disease. Biochemical and Clinical Effects of the Prophylactic Treatment of Renal Calcium Stones with Magnesium HydroxideReady to take control of your health journey? Book your appointment now and start your path towards wellness today!
Book an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
Magnesium hydroxide is used as a laxative for the relief of occasional constipation. Magnesium hydroxide is also used as an antacid to relieve indigestion, stomach acid, and heartburn.
All of the magnesium hydroxide dissolved dissolves into ions. Since the dissociation of this small amount of dissolved magnesium hydroxide is complete, magnesium hydroxide is considered to be a strong electrolyte. Its low solubility makes it a weak foundation.
Concentrated sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide, when ingested, are strong irritants and corrosive to the skin, eyes, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal system.
Magnesia milk is also known as magnesium hydroxide, its chemical name. Magnesia milk can be bought over the counter without a prescription. People should not give magnesia milk to children under 2 years of age unless advised by a doctor.
It is usually taken as a single daily dose (preferably at bedtime) or can be divided into two or more parts over a single day. Magnesium hydroxide usually causes bowel movements within 30 minutes to 6 hours after taking it.
Yes, magnesium hydroxide is an ionic compound. It consists of magnesium ions (Mg2+) and hydroxide ions (OH-) held together by ionic bonds.
Magnesium hydroxide is not specifically used as a sleep aid, but some believe it might help due to its muscle relaxation properties.
