Magnesium Hydroxide
Indications
Magnesium Hydroxide is used for:
Heartburn, Constipation, Indigestion, Gastrointestinal hyperacidity, Osmotic laxative
Adult Dose
Constipation
Magnesium hydroxide (400 mg/5 mL): 30-60 mL/day PO at bedtime or in divided doses
Acid Indigestion
Magnesium hydroxide (400 mg/5 mL): 5-15 mL PO q4hr; no more than 4 doses per 24-hour period
Child Dose
Constipation
<2 years: Safety and efficacy not established
Suspension
2-6 years: 5-15 mL/day of regular-strength liquid PO at bedtime or in divided doses
6-12 years: 15-30 mL/day (400 mg/5 mL)
>12 years: 30-60 mL/day (400 mg/5 mL)
Acid Indigestion
Liquid
<12 years: Not recommended
>12 years: 5-15 mL (400 mg/5 mL) PO q4hr; no more than 4 doses per 24-hour period
Renal Dose
Administration
Contra Indications
Intestinal obstruction, faecal impaction; renal failure; appendicitis.
Precautions
Colostomy, ileostomy; electrolyte imbalance. Monitor for toxicity in patients with impaired renal function. Pregnancy.
Lactation: Use in nursing mothers appears to be safe
Pregnancy-Lactation
Pregnancy category: A
Lactation: Use in nursing mothers appears to be safe
Interactions
Decreases absorption of tetracyclines and biphosphonates. Separate administration of these and other drugs by around 2 hr.
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Magnesium Hydroxide :
Abdominal cramping, Diarrhea, Electrolyte imbalance, Hypotension, Muscle weakness, Respiratory depression, Hypermagnesaemia (in patients with renal impairment). Paralytic ileus.
Mechanism of Action
Magnesium hydroxide increases peristaltic activity causing osmotic retention of fluids, thus resulting in bowel evacuation. It also reduces stomach acid by reacting with hydrochloric acid to form Mg chloride.