magnesium chloride

Before taking magnesium chloride, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, allergies, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Magnesium chloride may not be recommended in some situations.

Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral. Magnesium is important for many systems in the body especially the muscles and nerves.

Magnesium chloride is used as a supplement to maintain adequate magnesium in the body.

Magnesium chloride may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Do not take magnesium chloride without first talking to your doctor if you have kidney disease.

Before taking magnesium chloride, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, allergies, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Magnesium chloride may not be recommended in some situations.

It is not known whether magnesium chloride will harm an unborn baby. Do not take magnesium chloride without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

It is also known whether magnesium chloride will harm an nursing baby. Do not take magnesium chloride without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Take magnesium chloride exactly as directed by your doctor or as directed on the package. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take the tablets and capsules with a full glass of water.

Do not crush or chew the extended- or slow-release formulations of magnesium chloride. They are specially formulated to dissolve slowly in the body.

Do not take more magnesium chloride than is directed.

Store magnesium chloride at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an magnesium chloride overdose include nausea, vomiting, flushing, low blood pressure, a slow heartbeat, drowsiness, coma, and death.

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking magnesium chloride unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Stop taking magnesium chloride and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take magnesium chloride and talk to your doctor if you experience diarrhea or an upset stomach.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Before taking magnesium chloride, talk to your doctor if you are taking

• a tetracycline antibiotic such as tetracycline (Sumycin, Achromycin V, and others), demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Vibramycin, Monodox, Doxy, and others), minocycline (Minocin, Dynacin, and others), or oxytetracycline (Terramycin, and others);
• a fluoroquinolone antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), enoxacin (Penetrex), norfloxacin (Noroxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), grepafloxacin (Raxar), and others;
• penicillamine (Cuprimine);
• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); or
• nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Furadantin, others).

You may not be able to take magnesium chloride, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here can also interact with magnesium chloride. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter or prescription medicines.

Your pharmacist has additional information about magnesium chloride written for health professionals that you may read.