Magnesium and Medications: What You Need to Know
The headline “Never use magnesium if you’re taking these medications” is too absolute. Magnesium supplements can interact with some medicines, but in many cases the issue is that magnesium reduces the absorption of the medication when taken at the same time. The solution may simply be separating the doses.
Important examples include:
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Certain antibiotics — Tetracyclines such as doxycycline and fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin can bind to magnesium and become less well absorbed.
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Levothyroxine — Magnesium can reduce absorption of this thyroid medication when taken too close together.
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Bisphosphonates — Medicines such as alendronate can have reduced absorption when taken with magnesium.
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Some HIV medications — Certain antiretroviral drugs can interact with minerals such as magnesium.
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Other medicines affected by mineral absorption — Several medications may need to be separated from magnesium or other mineral supplements.
Don’t automatically stop either one
You generally don’t need to avoid magnesium completely just because you’re taking one of these medicines. The appropriate interval depends on the specific medication and magnesium product.
Magnesium supplements can also be problematic in people with significantly impaired kidney function, because the kidneys are responsible for eliminating excess magnesium.
If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before starting a magnesium supplement. Give them the exact medication name, dose, and type of magnesium (such as citrate, glycinate, or oxide).
Bottom line: The key issue is often timing rather than a complete prohibition. Don’t stop an essential prescription medicine or supplement without professional advice.
