Magnesium citrate
This does not apply; this medication is not for regular use.
Magnesium Citrate Solution
Magnesium citrate is a saline laxative that treats occasional constipation. You shouldn’t take this medication regularly. The brand name of this medication is Citroma®. This medicine may taste better if it’s chilled before you drink it.
What is this medication?
MAGNESIUM CITRATE (mag NEE zee um SI treyt) treats occasional constipation. It works by increasing the amount of water your intestine absorbs. This softens the stool, making it easier to have a bowel movement. It also increases pressure, which prompts the muscles in your intestines to move stool. It belongs to a group of medications called laxatives.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Citroma
What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- Are on a low magnesium or low sodium diet
- Change in bowel habits for 2 weeks
- Colostomy or ileostomy
- Constipation after using another laxative for 7 days
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Rectal bleeding
- Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
- An unusual or allergic reaction to magnesium citrate, other magnesium products, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Breast-feeding
How should I use this medication?
Take this medication by mouth. Follow the directions on the package or prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. Drink a full glass of fluid with each dose of this medication. This medication may taste better if it is chilled before you drink it. Do not take your medication more often than directed.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply; this medication is not for regular use.
What may interact with this medication?
- Cellulose sodium phosphate
- Digoxin
- Edetate disodium, EDTA
- Medications for bone strength like etidronate, ibandronate, risedronate
- Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
- Some antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, tetracycline
- Vitamin D
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.
Do not take any other medication by mouth within 2 hours of taking this medication.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- High magnesium level—confusion, drowsiness, facial flushing, redness, sweating, muscle weakness, fast or irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medication?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator between 8 and 30 degrees C (46 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medication 24 hours after opening the bottle. Throw away unopened bottles of medication after the expiration date.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
Copyright ©2024 Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.
Magnesium citrate
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Identification
Magnesium citrate is a laxative used in bowel preparation for colonoscopy or as a magnesium supplement.
Generic Name Magnesium citrate DrugBank Accession Number DB11110 Background
Magnesium citrate is a low volume and osmotic cathartic agent. The cathartic action works primarily through the high osmolarity of the solution which draws large amounts of fluid into space where is used. 5 Magnesium citrate is considered by the FDA as an approved inactive ingredient for approved drug products under the specifications of oral administration of a maximum concentration of 237 mg. 7 It is also considered as an active ingredient in over-the-counter products. 6
Type Small Molecule Groups Approved Structure
Structure for Magnesium citrate (DB11110)
Weight Average: 451.113
Monoisotopic: 449.9621801 Chemical Formula C12H10Mg3O14 Synonyms
- Magnesium citrate
- Magnesium dicitrate
- Trimagnesium citrate
- Trimagnesium dicitrate
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Pharmacology
Indication
Magnesium citrate has been used in bowel preparations prior to a colonoscopy as a cathartic agent. 5
It is also used in over-the-counter products to relieve occasional constipation. 8
Magnesium citrate can be one of the forms used for the administration of dietary supplements. 9
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Associated Conditions
| Indication Type | Indication | Combined Product Details | Approval Level | Age Group | Patient Characteristics | Dose Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prophylaxis of | Migraine | ••• ••••• |
Contraindications and Blackbox Warnings
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Pharmacodynamics
The onset of action can be as early as 30 minutes after administration with a mean onset time of approximately 2 hours and a maximum action of 4 hours. The effect of magnesium citrate is highly dependent on the individual’s hydration status. 5
Mechanism of action
It mainly works through its property of high osmolality which will draw large amounts of fluid into the colonic lumen. There is also a possible stimulation of fluid excretion by cholecystokinin release and activation of muscle peristalsis. 5
Mean plasma concentration of magnesium after administration of oral doses of magnesium citrate are reported to be of around 0.7 mmol/L and the concentration in saliva rested in 0.28 mmol/L. In reports, it has also been proven that the absorption and bioavailability of magnesium are greater when administered in the form of magnesium citrate when compared with other forms such as magnesium ocude. 1
Volume of distribution
Magnesium, once ionized, is highly bound to plasma proteins and it can represent even 90% of the magnesium found in blood plasma. 3
Metabolism Not Available Route of elimination
After oral administration of magnesium citrate, there is a 40% increase in urine excretion of magnesium. 2 Magnesium citrate is also widely eliminated via the feces because, when present in the bowel, it relaxes the bowel and pulls water into the intestine which increases bowel movement and a significant portion of this agent gets excreted by this via. 10
The study of the half-life of magnesium citrate is very difficult due to the half-life of the available isotopes for magnesium. 4
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The occurrence of overdose with magnesium citrate is very unlikely but some of the signs of the presence of overdose are diarrhea or severe stomach pain. 8
Pathways Not Available Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs
Not Available
Interactions
Drug Interactions
This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.
Integrate drug-drug
interactions in your software
- Take with or without food. Taking magnesium supplements with food may reduce the risk of diarrhea.
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Active Moieties
| Name | Kind | UNII | CAS | InChI Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesium cation | ionic | T6V3LHY838 | 22537-22-0 | JLVVSXFLKOJNIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| Magnesium | unknown | I38ZP9992A | 7439-95-4 | RSHAOIXHUHAZPM-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
Over the Counter Products
| Name | Dosage | Strength | Route | Labeller | Marketing Start | Marketing End | Region | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BET-R-PREP Magnesium Citrate Oral | Solution | 1.745 g/1mL | Topical | Satius Pharmaceuticals, Llc | 2017-11-18 | Not applicable | US | |
| Citrate of Magnesium | Liquid | 1.745 g/29.6mL | Oral | Physicians Total Care, Inc. | 2003-01-29 | Not applicable | US | |
| Citroma | Solution | 1.745 g/29.61mL | Oral | Geiss, Destin and Dunn, Inc. | 2009-05-18 | Not applicable | US | |
| Citroma | Liquid | 1.745 g/29.6mL | Oral | H E Butt | 2021-09-08 | Not applicable | US | |
| Citroma | Liquid | 1.745 g/29.61mL | Oral | CVS PHARMACY | 2011-09-23 | Not applicable | US |
Mixture Products
| Name | Ingredients | Dosage | Route | Labeller | Marketing Start | Marketing End | Region | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cal-mag Tablet | Magnesium citrate (7 mg / tab) + Calcium lactate (48 mg / tab) | Tablet | Oral | Standard Process Inc. | Not applicable | Not applicable | Canada |
| Calcium and Magnesium Citrate and Vitamin D 250mg/125mg/200iu | Magnesium citrate (125 mg) + Calcium citrate (250 mg) + Cholecalciferol (200 unit) | Tablet | Oral | Wn Pharmaceuticals Ltd. | 2001-11-23 | 2002-05-15 | Canada |
| Calcium and Magnesium Citrate With Vitamin D | Magnesium citrate (137.5 mg) + Calcium citrate (275 mg) + Ergocalciferol (100 unit) | Tablet | Oral | Sisu Inc. | 1997-10-28 | 2005-07-13 | Canada |
| Calcium Lactate Powder | Magnesium citrate (18 mg / g) + Calcium lactate (119 mg / g) | Powder | Oral | Standard Process Inc. | Not applicable | Not applicable | Canada |
| Calcium Magnesium Plus Vitamin D Liquid | Magnesium citrate (3 mg / mL) + Calcium gluconate (6 mg / mL) + Ergocalciferol (2 unit / mL) + Inositol (.6 mg / mL) | Liquid | Oral | Jamp Pharma Corporation | 2002-04-22 | 2003-02-05 | Canada |
Unapproved/Other Products
| Name | Ingredients | Dosage | Route | Labeller | Marketing Start | Marketing End | Region | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folcyteine | Magnesium citrate (16 mg/1) + Acetylcysteine (200 mg/1) + Calcium citrate tetrahydrate (47 mg/1) + Cholecalciferol (800 [iU]/1) + Folic acid (1000 ug/1) | Tablet | Oral | PureTek Corporation | 2023-09-14 | Not applicable | US |
| LiquiCal Plus | Magnesium citrate (72 mg/1mL) + Calcium citrate tetrahydrate (252 mg/1mL) + Cholecalciferol (1200 [iU]/1mL) + Zinc citrate (2.1 mg/1mL) | Liquid | Oral | PureTek Corporation | 2024-06-12 | Not applicable | US |
| LiquiCal with Magnesium | Magnesium citrate (48 mg/1mL) + Calcium citrate tetrahydrate (168 mg/1mL) + Cholecalciferol (66 [iU]/1mL) + Zinc citrate (1.4 mg/1mL) | Liquid | Oral | PureTek Corporation | 2023-12-27 | Not applicable | US |
| Livita Adults | Magnesium citrate (100 mg/1mL) + Ascorbic acid (200 mg/1mL) + Biotin (30 ug/1mL) + Calcium citrate tetrahydrate (200 mg/1mL) + Cholecalciferol (10 ug/1mL) + Choline bitartrate (200 mg/1mL) + D-alpha-Tocopherol acetate (20.1 mg/1mL) + Inulin (500 mg/1mL) + Levomefolate calcium (1000 ug/1mL) + Mecobalamin (2.4 ug/1mL) + Nicotinamide (8 mg/1mL) + Calcium pantothenate (5 mg/1mL) + Pyridoxine hydrochloride (1.7 mg/1mL) + Riboflavin (1.3 mg/1mL) + Thiamine mononitrate (1.2 mg/1mL) + Vitamin A acetate (900 ug/1mL) + Zinc picolinate (2 mg/1mL) | Liquid | Oral | PureTek Corporation | 2023-12-15 | Not applicable | US |
| Livita Children | Magnesium citrate (33.33 mg/1mL) + Ascorbic acid (66.67 mg/1mL) + Biotin (10 ug/1mL) + Calcium citrate tetrahydrate (66.67 mg/1mL) + Cholecalciferol (3.33 ug/1mL) + Choline bitartrate (66.67 mg/1mL) + D-alpha-Tocopherol acetate (10 mg/1mL) + Inulin (166.67 mg/1mL) + Levomefolate calcium (333 ug/1mL) + Mecobalamin (0.8 ug/1mL) + Nicotinamide (2.67 mg/1mL) + Calcium pantothenate (1.67 mg/1mL) + Pyridoxine hydrochloride (0.57 mg/1mL) + Riboflavin (0.43 mg/1mL) + Thiamine mononitrate (0.4 mg/1mL) + Vitamin A acetate (300 ug/1mL) + Zinc picolinate (0.67 mg/1mL) | Liquid | Oral | PureTek Corporation | 2023-12-18 | Not applicable | US |
Categories
- B05CB — Salt solutions
- B05C — IRRIGATING SOLUTIONS
- B05 — BLOOD SUBSTITUTES AND PERFUSION SOLUTIONS
- B — BLOOD AND BLOOD FORMING ORGANS
- A12CC — Magnesium
- A12C — OTHER MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS
- A12 — MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS
- A — ALIMENTARY TRACT AND METABOLISM
- A06AD — Osmotically acting laxatives
- A06A — DRUGS FOR CONSTIPATION
- A06 — DRUGS FOR CONSTIPATION
- A — ALIMENTARY TRACT AND METABOLISM
- Acids, Acyclic
- Agents that produce neuromuscular block (indirect)
- Alimentary Tract and Metabolism
- Blood and Blood Forming Organs
- Blood Substitutes and Perfusion Solutions
- Citrates
- Drugs for Constipation
- Gastrointestinal Agents
- Irrigating Solutions
- Laxatives
- Laxatives, magnesium containing
- Magnesium Compounds
- Metal cations
- Metal divalent cations
- Mineral Supplements
- Osmotic Laxatives
- Salt Solutions
- Tricarboxylic Acids
- Humans and other mammals
Chemical Identifiers
UNII RHO26O1T9V CAS number 3344-18-1 InChI Key PLSARIKBYIPYPF-UHFFFAOYSA-H InChI
IUPAC Name
trimagnesium(2+) bis(2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate)
[Mg++].[Mg++].[Mg++].OC(CC([O-])=O)(CC([O-])=O)C([O-])=O.OC(CC([O-])=O)(CC([O-])=O)C([O-])=O
References
- Walker AF, Marakis G, Christie S, Byng M: Mg citrate found more bioavailable than other Mg preparations in a randomised, double-blind study. Magnes Res. 2003 Sep;16(3):183-91. [Article]
- Rylander R, Megevand Y, Lasserre B, Amstutz W, Granbom S: Moderate alcohol consumption and urinary excretion of magnesium and calcium. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 2001;61(5):401-5. [Article]
- Nielsen SP: Free and protein-bound magnesium in normal human plasma determined by ultracentrifugation and ultrafiltration. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1969 May;23(3):219-25. [Article]
- Jahnen-Dechent W, Ketteler M: Magnesium basics. Clin Kidney J. 2012 Feb;5(Suppl 1):i3-i14. doi: 10.1093/ndtplus/sfr163. [Article]
- Kim D. and Pickhardt P. (2010). CT Colonography. Elsevier.
- Health Canada [Link]
- FDA Inactive ingredient search [Link]
- Dailymed [Link]
- Supplements manufacturer [Link]
- Magnesium citrate [File]
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Pharmacoeconomics
Manufacturers
Not Available
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Dosage Forms
| Form | Route | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | Oral | |
| Powder | Oral | |
| Solution | Topical | 1.745 g/1mL |
| Liquid | Oral | |
| Liquid | Oral | 1.745 g/29.61mL |
| Solution | Oral | 1.745 g/29.61mL |
| Powder, for solution | Oral | 16 g/16g |
| Powder, for solution | Oral | |
| Capsule | Oral | 250 mg |
| Liquid | Oral | 1.745 g/29.6mL |
| Liquid | Oral | 2.62 g/100mL |
| Liquid | Oral | 2.65 mg/100mL |
| Solution | Oral | 0.059 g/1mL |
| Capsule | Oral | 100 mg |
| Capsule | Oral | 90 mg / cap |
| Capsule | Oral | 150 mg |
| Tablet | Oral | 300 mg |
| Solution | Oral | 1.745 g/29.6mL |
| Liquid | Oral | 2.65 g/100mL |
| Liquid | Oral | 1.75 g / 100 mL |
| Powder, for solution | Oral | 17 g/17g |
| Lozenge | Oral | 610 mg |
| Lozenge | Oral | 610.09 mg |
| Granule, for solution | Oral | 300 mg |
| Powder, for solution | Oral | 400 mg |
| Tablet | Oral | 200 mg |
| Tablet, film coated | Oral | |
| Kit | Oral | |
| Powder, for solution | Oral | 17 g/100g |
| Powder, for solution | Oral | |
| Tablet | Oral | |
| Kit | Oral; Rectal |
Prices Not Available Patents Not Available
Properties
State Solid Experimental Properties
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| melting point (°C) | 184 ºC | ‘MSDS’ |
| water solubility | Partially soluble in cold water | ‘MSDS’ |
Predicted Properties
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Water Solubility | 6.34 mg/mL | ALOGPS |
| logP | 0.08 | ALOGPS |
| logP | -1.3 | Chemaxon |
| logS | -1.8 | ALOGPS |
| pKa (Strongest Acidic) | 3.05 | Chemaxon |
| pKa (Strongest Basic) | -4.2 | Chemaxon |
| Physiological Charge | -3 | Chemaxon |
| Hydrogen Acceptor Count | 7 | Chemaxon |
| Hydrogen Donor Count | 1 | Chemaxon |
| Polar Surface Area | 140.62 Å 2 | Chemaxon |
| Rotatable Bond Count | 10 | Chemaxon |
| Refractivity | 68.14 m 3 ·mol -1 | Chemaxon |
| Polarizability | 14.25 Å 3 | Chemaxon |
| Number of Rings | 0 | Chemaxon |
| Bioavailability | 1 | Chemaxon |
| Rule of Five | Yes | Chemaxon |
| Ghose Filter | No | Chemaxon |
| Veber’s Rule | No | Chemaxon |
| MDDR-like Rule | No | Chemaxon |
