The headline “NEVER use magnesium if you are taking any of the following…” is too absolute. Magnesium supplements can interact with some medicines, but you generally don’t need to avoid magnesium altogether. The important issue is often timing or choosing an appropriate dose.
O
Office of Dietary Supplements
+1
Medicines that deserve particular attention
Certain antibiotics, especially tetracyclines such as doxycycline and quinolones such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin. Magnesium can bind these medicines and reduce their absorption. NIH recommends taking the antibiotic at least 2 hours before or 4–6 hours after a magnesium supplement, depending on the medication.
O
Office of Dietary Supplements
Oral bisphosphonates such as alendronate, used for osteoporosis. Magnesium can reduce their absorption; separating them by at least 2 hours is recommended.
O
Office of Dietary Supplements
Levothyroxine (thyroid replacement). Recent research indicates magnesium can reduce its absorption, so taking the two separately is prudent.
P
PubMed
Diuretics (“water pills”) can alter magnesium levels—some increase magnesium loss while others reduce it.
O
Office of Dietary Supplements
Long-term proton-pump inhibitors such as omeprazole can themselves contribute to low magnesium levels.
O
Office of Dietary Supplements
One more important issue: kidney disease
People with kidney disease need particular caution with magnesium supplements because impaired kidneys may not eliminate excess magnesium effectively. Magnesium gluconate guidance specifically recommends telling your doctor if you have kidney disease.
M
MedlinePlus
Also, for adults, the usual upper limit for magnesium from supplements and medications is 350 mg/day unless a healthcare professional recommends otherwise. Magnesium naturally present in food isn’t included in that limit. High supplemental doses can cause diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramping, while extremely high levels can cause serious heart problems.
O
Office of Dietary Supplements
Bottom line: Don’t stop a prescribed medicine or automatically stop magnesium based on a viral headline. If you tell me which medicines you’re taking and which type/dose of magnesium (for example, magnesium glycinate, citrate or oxide), I can check the specific interactions and explain how they should be separated.
O
P
M
Sources
