Are there side effects to taking magnesium?

Answer 1

1. Drug Interactions

Some prescription drugs may interact with magnesium and cause negative side effects, including:

ACE inhibitors (drugs you take to regulate blood pressure) like benazepril (Lotensin)

Captopril (Capoten)

Enalapril (Vasotec)

Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)

Lisinopril can cause low levels of potassium in your blood when used with magnesium. Thins interaction increases your risk for heart problems such as an irregular heartbeat. Check with your doctor before taking these medications together because your magnesium dose may need to be adjusted if you have kidney disease or other medical conditions that affect how you process drugs or nutraceuticals.

Magnesium has also been shown to reduce the effectiveness of the quinolone and tetracycline classes of antibiotics. It reduces the absorption of nitrofurantoin.

2. Kidney Disease

People with impaired kidney function are at a higher risk of experiencing adverse effects from taking magnesium supplements; therefore you will want to speak to your health care practitioner before taking a magnesium supplement.

Kidneys remove excess water from your body, as well as glucose and other nutrients. Symptoms of magnesium toxicity have been reported in people with impaired kidney function who take moderate amounts of magnesium-containing laxatives or antacids.

If you have kidney disease or renal insufficiency and take magnesium supplements, monitoring your daily intake is important so that it doesn't build up in your system.

Furthermore, adults older than 50 may also have difficulty processing magnesium due to impaired kidney function. It is always a good idea to seek the guidance of a qualified practitioner if you are older than 50 and/or if you experience kidney insufficiency.

3. Pregnancy

Magnesium is one of the few supplements that are safe to take during pregnancy and a magnesium deficiency during this time can have negative side effects. Practitioners recommend magnesium supplementation during pregnancy for a few reasons.

Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure) is a sign of low magnesium in pregnant women. This can cause harm to both the mother and fetus; therefore, pregnant women should ensure they have adequate magnesium levels.

Magnesium could also help prevent premature labour by relaxing the uterus.

Constipation is also another issue pregnant women may have to worry about. This can happen due to stress and dietary changes. Therefore magnesium citrate may help correct this issue.

Several forms of magnesium are safe during pregnancy, including the citrate, glycinate, and taurate types. However, there is one caveat: magnesium supplementation during pregnancy is safe as long as there aren't any contraindications (these include kidney disease).

4. Breastfeeding

Magnesium may be recommended for women who are nursing, as the body naturally loses magnesium through breast milk. The amount of magnesium that is right for you depends on how much your body needs. Some people may only need 100 milligrams per day, while others may need up to 500 milligrams per day, taken in divided doses. It's best to speak with your practitioner when beginning a supplement regimen while nursing.

5. Prescription Drugs for Osteoporosis

Although magnesium is crucial for the maintenance of healthy bones, if you have osteoporosis, it is important to note that some osteoporosis drugs may have negative side effects with magnesium supplements.

Alendronate and other bisphosphonates used to treat osteoporosis should be taken at least two hours before or after taking magnesium, as the latter may interfere with their absorption.

6. Supplement Interactions

Some supplements may impact the absorption of magnesium. Some studies have hinted that high doses of zinc and fibre may reduce magnesium absorption. Additionally, a study suggested that a low intake of protein could reduce the absorption of magnesium, but more research is needed.

7. Surgery

During surgery, anesthesia could be affected by magnesium supplementation.

If you are taking oral magnesium supplements, laxatives, or antacids before surgical procedures, let the medical staff know so that they can account for these effects when administering intravenous magnesium during anesthesia.