Medications and Magnesium
Common Medications That Affect Magnesium
Milk of Magnesia taken as a laxative or antacid can increase magnesium intake:
Taking the recommended dose as a laxative (2 to 4 Tbsp.) provides 990 to 1950 mg magnesium.
Taking the recommended dose as an antacid (1 to 3 tsp.) provides 165 to 500 mg magnesium.
Medications that can cause high serum magnesium:
Lithium Carbonate
Medications that “spare” magnesium, lowering its excretion in the urine:
Aspirin
Listed below are medications that increase the urinary excretion of magnesium, promoting magnesium loss:
Drugs used in heart disease
Antiarrhythmic Drugs
Quinidine, Sotalol, Aamiodarone, Bretylium
Digoxin and Strophanthin
Adrenalin and drugs that mimic its activity, such as isoproterenol
Diuretics
Furosemide
Ethacrynic Acid
Thiazides
Osmotic Agents
Drugs to treat allergies
Anti-asthmatics
Adrenalin
Aminophylline
Antihistamines: astemizole, terfenadine
Drugs used in mental disorders
pimozide
thioridazine, trifluoperazine
Antibiotics
Carbenicillin
Ticarcillin
Amphotericin B
Aminoglycoside group of antibiotics
Gentamicin
Tobramycin
Other medications
Antineoplastic drugs and radiation
Immunosuppressants
Cisplatin
Cyclosporine
Hydrocortisone and other cortisone drugs
Antacids can affect absorption of other drugs, many contain magnesium
Pentamidine
Nutraceuticals
High dose calcium
High dose vitamin D
High Intake of caffeine (coffee, tea)
References:
Elin, RJ, Magnesium Metabolism in Health and Disease, Disease-a-Month, 34(4):April 1988.
Meyer KB, Madias NE. Miner Electrolyte Metab 1994;20(4):201 213
Cisplatin nephrotoxicity. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=7845323
Keating MJ, Sethi MR, Bodey GP, Samaan NA., Hypocalcemia with hypoparathyroidism and renal tubular dysfunction associated with aminoglycoside therapy. Cancer 1977 Apr;39(4):1410 1414 – medicinal effects on mg/ca https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=856439
Kuller LH, Hulley SB, Cohen JD, Neaton J., Unexpected effects of treating hypertension in men with electrocardiographic abnormalities: a critical analysis. Circulation 1986 Jan;73(1):114-123 meds, stress, ht-drugs make it worse https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=2416486
Kuller L, Farrier N, Caggiula A, Borhani N, Dunkle S: Relationship of diuretic therapy and serum magnesium levels among participants in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial. Am J Epidemiol 122:1045-1059, 1985. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=4061439
Li HY, Quamme GA: Caffeine decreases intracellular free Mg2+ in isolated adult rat ventricular myocytes.Biochim Biophys Acta 1355:61-68, 1997. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=10400401
Maton PN, Burton ME: Antacids revisited: a review of their clinical pharmacology and recommended therapeutic use.
Drugs 1999 Jun;57(6):855 870 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=10400401
McLean, Robert M., M.D. “Magnesium and Its Therapeutic Uses: A Review”, The American Journal of Medcine 96:63-76, January 1994. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=8304365
Bohmer T: [Magnesium in lung diseases] Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 115:827 828, 1995. (Theophyllin causes Mg loss) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=7701490
Brady H, Ryan M, Horgan J: Magnesium: The Forgotten Cation. Irish Med J 80: 250-253, 1987. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=3312087
Campbell TJ: Proarrhythmic actions of antiarrhythmic drugs: a review. Aust NZ J Med 20:275 282, 1990. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=2196873
Cantani A, Mocini V: Antihistamines and the torsade de point in children with allergic rhinitis. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 5:139-42, 2001. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=12067082
Chevalier B, le Heuzey JY, Colombel B, Lavergne T, Guize L, Rozensztajn L, Valty J: [Ventricular tachycardia during theophylline overdose. Apropos of a case of reduction by magnesium chloride] Arch Mal Coeur 83:569 573, 1990. (Theophyllin causes Mg loss) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=2111681
Dyckner T, Wester PO: Potassium/magnesium depletion in patients with cardiovascular disease. Am J Med 82(3A):11-17, 1987. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=3565422
Flack JM, Ryder KW, Strickland D, Whang R:Metabolic correlates of theophylline therapy: a concentration related phenomenon. Ann Pharmacother 28:175 179, 1994. (Theophyllin causes Mg loss) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=8173127
Golf SW, Enzinger D, Temme H, Graef V, Katz N, Roka L, Friemann E, Lasch H-G,
Friemann S, Tross H, Morr H: Effects of magnesium in theophylline treatment of chronic obstructive lung disease. in “Magnesium – A Relevant Ion”, eds B Lasserre & J Durlach, 1991, Publ J Libbey. London, UK pp 443-451.
Gurfinkel E, Pazos AA, Mautner B: Abnormal QT intervals associated with negative T waves induced by antiarrhythmic drugs are rapidly reduced using magnesium sulfate as an antidote. Clin Cardiol 16:35 38, 1993. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=8416758
Hollifield JW: Magnesium depletion, diuretics, and arrhythmias. Am J Med 82(3A):30-37, 1987. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=2436474
Knutsen R, Bohmer T, Falch J: Intravenous theophylline-induced excretion of calcium, magnesium and sodium in patients with recurrent asthmatic attacks. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 54:119-125, 1994. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=8197398
Krahenbuhl S, Sauter B, Kupferschmidt H, Krause M, Wyss PA, Meier PJ: Case report: reversible prolongation with torsades de pointes in a patient with pimozide intoxication. Am J Med Sci 309:315-316, 1995. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=7771501
Kynast-Gales SA, Massey LK: Effect of caffeine on circadian excretion of urinary calcium and magnesium. J Am Coll Nutr 13:467 472, 1994. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=7836625
Leatham, EW, Holt DW, McKenna WJ : Class III antiarrhythmics in overdose. Presenting features and management principles. Drug Saf 9:450-462, 1993. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=8129865
Lehr D: Studies on the cardiotoxicity of alpha- and beta-adrenergic amines. in “Cardiac Toxicology” Ed T Balazs, Publ CRC Press Inc, Boca Raton, FL 1981, pp 75-112.
Sugiyama A, Aye NN, Katahira S, Hagihara A, Hashimoto K: Effects of magnesium sulfate on the canine cardiovascular system complicating astemizole overdose. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 29:795-800, 1997. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=9234661
Nielson J. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1964;40:190-196.
Roe DA. Diet, Nutrition, and Drug Reactions. In: Shils ME OJ, Shike M,, ed. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1994:1411-1412.
Wacker WE, Parisi AF. Magnesium metabolism. N Engl J Med 1968;278:772-6 concl. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=4866353
Buy Dr Rossanoff’s Book
The Magnesium Factor: How One Simple Nutrient Can Prevent, Treat, and Reverse High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Other Chronic Conditions