Magnesium Hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia) - Uses, Dose, Side effects

Magnesium hydroxide or Milk of Magnesia is a magnesium-containing osmotically active drug that is primarily used for the treatment of occasional constipation and as an antacid for indigestion.

Magnesium hydroxide Uses:

  • Antacid:

    • It is used for the temporary relief of heartburn, acid indigestion, upset stomach, or sour stomach.
  • Laxative (occasional constipation):

    • It is used as an osmotic laxative for the relief of occasional constipation. It may releive constipation in 30 minutes to 6 hours.

Magnesium hydroxide Dose in Adults:

Magnesium hydroxide Dose as Antacid: OTC labeling: Oral:

  • Magnesium hydroxide Liquid 400 mg/5 mL:
    • 5 to 15 mL as required up to 4 times/day;
    • Do not exceed 60 mL in one day.
  • Magnesium hydroxide chewable tablets (311 mg/tablet):
    • 2 to 4 tablets every 4 hours up to 4 times a day
    • Do not exceed 4 doses in one day.

Magnesium hydroxide Dose as Laxative for occasional constipation: OTC labeling: Oral:

  • Liquid:
    • 400 mg/5 mL:
      • 30 to 60 mL/day once a day at bedtime or in divided doses
    • 800 mg/5 mL:
      • 15 to 30 mL/day once a day at bedtime or in divided doses
    • 1,200 mg/5 mL:
      • 10 to 20 mL/day once a day at bedtime or in divided doses
  • Tablet, chewable:
    • Magnesium hydroxide 311 mg/tablet:
      • 8 tablets/day once a day at bedtime or in divided doses

Magnesium hydroxide Dose in Childrens:

Note: Doses expressed here are in mg of magnesium hydroxide.

Magnesium hydroxide Dose as Antacid: Oral:

  • Children ≥12 years and Adolescents:

    • 2 to 4 tablets every 4 hours up to four times per 24 hours.
    • Avoid exceeding 4 doses in 24 hours.

Magnesium hydroxide Dose in the treatment of chronic constipation: Oral:

  • Infants, Children, and Adolescents:

    • 80 to 240 mg/kg/day divided once or twice daily
    • The usual adult dose is 2,400 to 4,800 mg/day

Magnesium hydroxide Dose in the treatment of occasional Constipation: Oral:

  • Children 2 to <6 years:

    • 400 to 1,200 mg/day in single or two to four divided doses.
    • The maximum daily dose is 1,200 mg/day.
  • Children 6 to <12 years:

    • 1,200 to 2,400 mg/day in single or two to four divided doses.
    • The maximum daily dose is 2,400 mg/day.
  • Children ≥12 years and Adolescents:

    • 2,400 to 4,800 mg/day in single or two to four divided doses.
    • The maximum daily dose is 4,800 mg/day

Dose in the treatment of Fecal impaction, slow disimpaction: Oral

  • Children and Adolescents:

    • 160 mg/kg two times a day for 7 days.

Pregnancy Category: B

  • Magnesium crosses the placental barrier. The concentrations of magnesium in the fetus and mother are identical.
  • Pregnant women can use it during labor to prevent heartburn and aspiration.

Use while you breastfeed

  • Magnesium can be absorbed into breastmilk by human babies for up to one year. It is not affected or affected by other factors
  • When taken in the recommended dosages, it is compatible with breastfeeding. It is possible that infants will need to be monitored for adverse reactions.

Dose in Kidney Disease:

  • There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.
  • However, since the drug is eliminated from the body via kidneys, the drug may accumulate resulting in toxicity.
  • Magnesium levels may need to be monitored in patients with kidney disease especially in those with a CrCl of 30 ml/minute or less.

Dose in Liver disease:

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.


Side effects of Magnesium hydroxide:

  • Gastrointestinal:

    • Diarrhea
    • Abdominal bloating and pain
  • Others:

    • Weakness
    • Lethargy
    • Electrolyte imbalance

Contraindications to Magnesium hydroxide:

  • Allergies to any ingredient

Warnings & Precautions

  • Neuromuscular disease

    • It is not recommended for patients with neuromuscular conditions like myasthenia gravis.
  • Renal impairment

    • People with kidney disease need to be careful as drug accumulation can lead to magnesium poisoning.

Magnesium hydroxide: Drug Interaction

Risk Factor C (Monitor therapy)

Amphetamines

Antacids may decrease the excretion of Amphetamines.

Antipsychotic Agents (Phenothiazines)

Antacids may decrease the absorption of Antipsychotic Agents (Phenothiazines).

Bromperidol

Antacids may decrease the absorption of Bromperidol.

Calcium Channel Blockers

May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Magnesium Salts. Magnesium Salts may enhance the hypotensive effect of Calcium Channel Blockers.

Captopril

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Captopril.

Cefpodoxime

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Cefpodoxime.

Cysteamine (Systemic)

Antacids may diminish the therapeutic effect of Cysteamine (Systemic).

Dexmethylphenidate

Antacids may increase the absorption of Dexmethylphenidate. Specifically, antacids may interfere with the normal release of drug from the extended-release capsules (Focalin XR brand), which could result in both increased absorption (early) and decreased delayed absorption.

Diacerein

Antacids may decrease the absorption of Diacerein.

Dichlorphenamide

Laxatives may enhance the hypokalemic effect of Dichlorphenamide.

Methylphenidate

Antacids may increase the absorption of Methylphenidate. Specifically, antacids may interfere with the normal release of drug from the extended-release capsules (Ritalin LA brand), which could result in both increased absorption (early) and decreased delayed absorption.

Neuromuscular-Blocking Agents

Magnesium Salts may enhance the neuromuscular-blocking effect of Neuromuscular-Blocking Agents.

QuiNIDine

Antacids may decrease the excretion of QuiNIDine.

Rosuvastatin

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Rosuvastatin.

Risk Factor D (Consider therapy modification)

Acalabrutinib

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Acalabrutinib. Management: Separate administration of acalabrutinib from the administration of any antacids by at least 2 hours in order to minimize the potential for a significant interaction.

Alfacalcidol

May increase the serum concentration of Magnesium Salts.

Allopurinol

Antacids may decrease the absorption of Allopurinol.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Magnesium Salts may decrease the absorption of Alpha-Lipoic Acid. AlphaLipoic Acid may decrease the absorption of Magnesium Salts.

Atazanavir

Antacids may decrease the absorption of Atazanavir.

Bictegravir

Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease the serum concentration of Bictegravir. Management: Administer bictegravir under fasting conditions at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after polyvalent cation containing products. Coadministration of bictegravir with or 2 hours after most polyvalent cation products is not recommended.

Bisacodyl

Antacids may diminish the therapeutic effect of Bisacodyl. Antacids may cause the delayed-release bisacodyl tablets to release drug prior to reaching the large intestine. Gastric irritation and/or cramps may occur.

Bismuth Subcitrate

Antacids may diminish the therapeutic effect of Bismuth Subcitrate. Management: Avoid administration of antacids within 30 minutes of bismuth subcitrate (tripotassium bismuth dicitrate) administration.

Bisphosphonate Derivatives

Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease the serum concentration of Bisphosphonate Derivatives. Management: Avoid administration of oral medications containing polyvalent cations within: 2 hours before or after tiludronate/clodronate/etidronate; 60 minutes after oral ibandronate; or 30 minutes after alendronate/risedronate. Exceptions: Pamidronate; Zoledronic Acid.

Bosutinib

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Bosutinib. Management: Administer antacids more than 2 hours before or after bosutinib.

Calcitriol (Systemic)

May increase the serum concentration of Magnesium Salts. Management: Consider using a non-magnesium-containing antacid or phosphate-binding product in patients also receiving calcitriol. If magnesium-containing products must be used with calcitriol, serum magnesium concentrations should be monitored closely.

Cefditoren

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Cefditoren. Management: Concomitant use of cefditoren with antacids is not recommended. Consider alternative methods to control acid reflux (eg, diet modification) or alternative antimicrobial therapy. If antacid therapy can not be avoided, separate dosing by several hours.

Cefuroxime

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Cefuroxime. Management: Administer cefuroxime axetil at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after the administration of shortacting antacids.

Chloroquine

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Chloroquine. Management: Separate administration of antacids and chloroquine by at least 4 hours to minimize any potential negative impact of antacids on chloroquine bioavailability.

Corticosteroids (Oral)

Antacids may decrease the bioavailability of Corticosteroids (Oral). Management: Consider separating doses by 2 or more hours. Budesonide enteric coated tablets could dissolve prematurely if given with drugs that lower gastric acid, with unknown impact on budesonide therapeutic effects.

Dabigatran Etexilate

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Dabigatran Etexilate. Management: Dabigatran etexilate Canadian product labeling recommends avoiding concomitant use with antacids for 24 hours after surgery. In other situations, administer dabigatran etexilate 2 hours prior to antacids. Monitor clinical response to dabigatran therapy.

Dasatinib

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Dasatinib. Management: Simultaneous administration of dasatinib and antacids should be avoided. Administer antacids 2 hours before or 2 hours after dasatinib.

Deferiprone

Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease the serum concentration of Deferiprone. Management: Separate administration of deferiprone and oral medications or supplements that contain polyvalent cations by at least 4 hours.

Delavirdine

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Delavirdine. Management: Separate doses of delavirdine and antacids by at least 1 hour. Monitor for decreased delavirdine therapeutic effects with this combination.

Dolutegravir

Magnesium Salts may decrease the serum concentration of Dolutegravir. Management: Administer dolutegravir at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after oral magnesium salts. Administer the dolutegravir/rilpivirine combination product at least 4 hours before or 6 hours after oral magnesium salts.

Doxercalciferol

May enhance the hypermagnesemic effect of Magnesium Salts. Management: Consider using a non-magnesium-containing antacid or phosphate-binding product in patients also receiving doxercalciferol. If magnesium-containing products must be used with doxercalciferol, serum magnesium concentrations should be monitored closely.

Eltrombopag

Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease the serum concentration of Eltrombopag. Management: Administer eltrombopag at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after oral administration of any polyvalent cation containing product.

Elvitegravir

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Elvitegravir. Management: Separate administration of antacids and elvitegravir-containing products by at least 2 hours in order to minimize the risk for an interaction.

Erdafitinib

Serum Phosphate Level-Altering Agents may diminish the therapeutic effect of Erdafitinib. Management: Avoid coadministration of serum phosphate level-altering agents with erdafitinib before initial dose increase period based on serum phosphate levels (Days 14 to 21).

Erlotinib

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Erlotinib. Management: Separate the administration of erlotinib and any antacid by several hours in order to minimize the risk of a significant interaction.

Fexofenadine

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Fexofenadine. Management: Separate the administration of fexofenadine and aluminum- or magnesium-containing antacids.

Fosinopril

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Fosinopril. Management: The US and Canadian fosinopril manufacturer labels recommend separating the doses of antacids and fosinopril by 2 hours.

Gabapentin

Magnesium Salts may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Gabapentin. Specifically, high dose intravenous/epidural magnesium sulfate may enhance the CNS depressant effects of gabapentin. Magnesium Salts may decrease the serum concentration of Gabapentin. Management: Administer gabapentin at least 2 hours after use of a magnesiumcontaining antacid. Monitor patients closely for evidence of reduced response to gabapentin therapy. Monitor for CNS depression if high dose IV/epidural magnesium sulfate is used.

Gefitinib

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Gefitinib. Management: Administer gefitinib at least 6 hours before or after administration of an antacid, and closely monitor clinical response to gefitinib.

Hyoscyamine

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Hyoscyamine. Management: Administer immediate release hyoscyamine before meals and antacids after meals when these agents are given in combination.

Iron Preparations

Antacids may decrease the absorption of Iron Preparations. Management: Separate dosing of oral iron preparations and antacids as much as possible to avoid decreased efficacy of iron preparation. If coadministered with antacids, monitor for decreased therapeutic effects of iron preparations. Exceptions: Ferric Carboxymaltose; Ferric Citrate; Ferric Gluconate; Ferric Hydroxide Polymaltose Complex; Ferric Pyrophosphate Citrate; Ferumoxytol; Iron Dextran Complex; Iron Isomaltoside; Iron Sucrose.

Itraconazole

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Itraconazole. Antacids may increase the serum concentration of Itraconazole. Management: Administer Sporanox brand itraconazole at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after administration of any antacids. Exposure to Tolsura brand itraconazole may be increased by antacids; consider itraconazole dose reduction.

Ketoconazole (Systemic)

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Ketoconazole (Systemic). Management: Administer oral ketoconazole at least 2 hours prior to use of any antacid product. Monitor patients closely for signs of inadequate clinical response to ketoconazole.

Lanthanum

Antacids may diminish the therapeutic effect of Lanthanum.

Ledipasvir

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Ledipasvir. Management: Separate the administration of ledipasvir and antacids by 4 hours.

Levothyroxine

Magnesium Salts may decrease the serum concentration of Levothyroxine. Management: Separate administration of oral levothyroxine and oral magnesium salts by at least 4 hours.

Mesalamine

Antacids may diminish the therapeutic effect of Mesalamine. Antacid-mediated increases in gastrointestinal pH may cause the premature release of mesalamine from specific sustained-release mesalamine products. Management: Avoid concurrent administration of antacids with sustained-release mesalamine products. Separating antacid and mesalamine administration, and/or using lower antacid doses may be adequate means of avoiding this interaction.

Methenamine

Antacids may diminish the therapeutic effect of Methenamine.

Multivitamins/Fluoride (with ADE)

Magnesium Salts may decrease the serum concentration of Multivitamins/Fluoride (with ADE). Specifically, magnesium salts may decrease fluoride absorption. Management: To avoid this potential interaction separate the administration of magnesium salts from administration of a fluoride-containing product by at least 1 hour.

Multivitamins/Minerals (with ADEK, Folate, Iron)

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Multivitamins/Minerals (with ADEK, Folate, Iron). Specifically, antacids may decrease the absorption of orally administered iron. Management: Separate dosing of oral ironcontaining multivitamin preparations and antacids by as much time as possible in order to minimize impact on therapeutic efficacy of the iron preparation.

Mycophenolate

Antacids may decrease the absorption of Mycophenolate. Management: Separate doses of mycophenolate and antacids by at least 2 hours. Monitor for reduced effects of mycophenolate if taken concomitant with antacids.

Mycophenolate

Magnesium Salts may decrease the serum concentration of Mycophenolate. Management: Separate doses of mycophenolate and oral magnesium salts. Monitor for reduced effects of mycophenolate if taken concomitant with oral magnesium salts.

Neratinib

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Neratinib. Specifically, antacids may reduce neratinib absorption. Management: Separate the administration of neratinib and antacids by giving neratinib at least 3 hours after the antacid.

Nilotinib

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Nilotinib. Management: Separate the administration of nilotinib and any antacid by at least 2 hours whenever possible in order to minimize the risk of a significant interaction.

PAZOPanib

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of PAZOPanib. Management: Avoid the use of antacids in combination with pazopanib whenever possible. Separate doses by several hours if antacid treatment is considered necessary. The impact of dose separation has not been investigated.

PenicillAMINE

Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease the serum concentration of PenicillAMINE. Management: Separate the administration of penicillamine and oral polyvalent cation containing products by at least 1 hour.

Pexidartinib

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Pexidartinib. Management: Administer pexidartinib 2 hours before or after antacids.

Phosphate Supplements

Antacids may decrease the absorption of Phosphate Supplements. Management: This applies only to oral phosphate administration. Separating administer of oral phosphate supplements from antacid administration by as long as possible may minimize the interaction. Exceptions: Sodium Glycerophosphate Pentahydrate.

Phosphate Supplements

Magnesium Salts may decrease the serum concentration of Phosphate Supplements. Management: Administer oral phosphate supplements as far apart from the administration of an oral magnesium salt as possible to minimize the significance of this interaction. Exceptions: Sodium Glycerophosphate Pentahydrate.

Potassium Phosphate

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Potassium Phosphate. Management: Consider separating administration of antacids and oral potassium phosphate by at least 2 hours to decrease risk of a significant interaction.

Quinolones

Antacids may decrease the absorption of Quinolones. Of concern only with oral administration of quinolones. Management: Avoid concurrent administration of quinolones and antacids to minimize the impact of this interaction. Recommendations for optimal dose separation vary by specific quinolone. Exceptions: LevoFLOXacin (Oral Inhalation).

Quinolones

Magnesium Salts may decrease the serum concentration of Quinolones. Management: Administer oral quinolones several hours before (4 h for moxi/pe/spar-, 2 h for others) or after (8 h for moxi-, 6 h for cipro/dela-, 4 h for lome/pe-, 3 h for gemi-, and 2 h for levo-, nor-, or ofloxacin or nalidixic acid) oral magnesium salts. Exceptions: LevoFLOXacin (Oral Inhalation).

Rilpivirine

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Rilpivirine. Management: Administer antacids at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after rilpivirine. Administer antacids at least 6 hours before or 4 hours after the rilpivirine/dolutegravir combination product.

Riociguat

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Riociguat. Management: Separate the administration of antacids and riociguat by at least 1 hour in order to minimize any potential interaction.

Sotalol

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Sotalol. Management: Avoid simultaneous administration of sotalol and antacids. Administer antacids 2 hours after sotalol.

Strontium Ranelate

Magnesium Hydroxide may decrease the serum concentration of Strontium Ranelate. Management: Separate administration of strontium ranelate and magnesium hydroxide by at least 2 hours whenever possible in order to minimize this interaction.

Sulpiride

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Sulpiride. Management: Separate administration of antacids and sulpiride by at least 2 hours in order to minimize the impact of antacids on sulpiride absorption.

Tetracyclines

Antacids may decrease the absorption of Tetracyclines. Management: Separate administration of antacids and oral tetracycline derivatives by several hours when possible to minimize the extent of this potential interaction. Exceptions: Eravacycline.

Tetracyclines

Magnesium Salts may decrease the absorption of Tetracyclines. Only applicable to oral preparations of each agent. Exceptions: Eravacycline.

Trientine

Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease the serum concentration of Trientine. Management: Avoid concomitant administration of trientine and oral products that contain polyvalent cations. If oral iron supplements are required, separate the administration by 2 hours. If other oral polyvalent cations are needed, separate administration by 1 hour.

Velpatasvir

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Velpatasvir. Management: Separate administration of velpatasvir and antacids by at least 4 hours.

Risk Factor X (Avoid combination)

Baloxavir Marboxil

Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease the serum concentration of Baloxavir Marboxil.

Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate

Laxatives (Magnesium Containing) may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate. More specifically, concomitant use of calcium polystyrene sulfonate with magnesium-containing laxatives may result in metabolic alkalosis or with sorbitol may result in intestinal necrosis. Management: Avoid concomitant use of calcium polystyrene sulfonate (rectal or oral) and magnesium-containing laxatives.

MiSOPROStol

Antacids may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of MiSOPROStol. More specifically, concomitant use with magnesium-containing antacids may increase the risk of diarrhea. Management: Avoid concomitant use of misoprostol and magnesium-containing antacids. In patients requiring antacid therapy, employ magnesium-free preparations. Monitor for increased adverse effects (e.g., diarrhea, dehydration).

QuiNINE

Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of QuiNINE.

Raltegravir

Magnesium Salts may decrease the serum concentration of Raltegravir. Management: Avoid the use of oral / enteral magnesium salts with raltegravir. No dose separation schedule has been established that adequately reduces the magnitude of interaction.

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate

Laxatives (Magnesium Containing) may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate. More specifically, concomitant use of sodium polystyrene sulfonate with magnesium-containing laxatives may result in metabolic alkalosis or with sorbitol may result in intestinal necrosis. Management: Avoid concomitant use of sodium polystyrene sulfonate (rectal or oral) and magnesium-containing laxatives.

 

Monitoring Parameters:

Monitor electrolytes and magnesium levels in patients on prolonged treatment and those with kidney dysfunction.


How to administer Magnesium hydroxide?

  • Shake the liquids before using them.
  • After administering the drug, take an extra cup or a glass of water.

Mechanism of action of Magnesium hydroxide:

  • It acts in an osmotic agent, resulting fluid retention in the gut. 
  • This causes constipation relief through increasing the peristaltic activity in the colon and distension.
  • Magnesium chloride is formed when it reacts with stomach acids.

As a Laxative, the onset of action:

  • 30 minutes to 6 hrs

Absorption:

  • Oral: up to 30%

Excretion:

  • It is excreted in the urine, up to 30% of which is absorbed magnesium ions.
  • Feces excrete the unabsorbed drug.

International Brand Names of Magnesium hydroxide:

  • Dulcolax Milk of Magnesia
  • Milk of Magnesia Concentrate
  • Milk of Magnesia
  • Pedia-Lax
  • Phillips Milk of Magnesia
  • Phillips
  • Antagel M
  • Chlorumagene
  • Deopens
  • Emgesan
  • Grays Milk of Magnesia
  • Laxasium
  • Laxomag
  • Leche De Magnesia
  • Magmil
  • Magnason
  • Magnesia san Pelligrino
  • Marogel
  • Milk of Magnesia
  • Milmag
  • Phillips Milk of Magnesia
  • Premamilk

Magnesium hydroxide Brand Names in Pakistan:

It is available as a syrup formulation in combination with other medications:

  • Mucaine
  • Cremaffin
  • Dijex MP
  • Maalox

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