What is magnesium hydroxide?
Magnesium hydroxide is a chemical compound classified by science as an active substance , which belongs to the line of medicines with laxative and antacid properties, with an effect on certain conditions of the digestive system .
What is magnesium hydroxide used for?
- Thanks to magnesium hydroxide’s mechanism of action, it turns into magnesium chloride upon contact with hydrochloric acid in the stomach, a chemical compound that is very helpful in relieving heartburn .
- It is used to treat:
- Upset stomach, indigestion , hyperacidity, heartburn and flatulence. (1)
- Symptoms of occasional constipation as a laxative. (two)
Dosage and routes of administration of magnesium hydroxide
The presentation of magnesium hydroxide is usually in oral suspension and the administration of this medication is orally, whose dosage for information may be as follows:
- Heartburn: Adults, several doses of 5 to 10 ml after meals, with liquid that can be water or milk. Children from 3 to 12 years of age, 5 ml. The maximum dose should not exceed 30 ml in a period of 24 hours.
- As a laxative: Adults 30 to 45 ml before going to bed and repeat every night, adjusting the dose until constipation is relieved. Children over 3 years of age, 5 to 10 ml at bedtime and children under 3 years of age only on medical advice.
What products contain magnesium hydroxide?
Some of the medicines that contain magnesium hydroxide are:
- Espraden®
- Acyline®
- Phillips® Milk of Magnesia
- Maalox®
Espraden®
- Espraden® is a synthetic medicine, made from the combination of magnesium hydroxide, dimethicone and metoclopramide hydroxide .
- It is used to treat gastritis and esophagitis .
- If you want to know more about this medicine, see Espraden: What is it and what is it for?
Acyline®
- Acyline® is a medicine of pharmaceutical manufacture, which uses the combination of aluminum and magnesium hydroxide.
- It is indicated to treat heartburn .
Phillips® Milk of Magnesia
- Phillips® Milk of Magnesia is an antacid medication, which uses magnesium hydroxide and calcium hypochlorite as active ingredients.
- It is used to treat heartburn and heartburn in adults and children over 12 years of age.
Maalox®
- Maalox® is the trademark of a drug that uses aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide as active ingredients.
- It is indicated to treat stomach hyperacidity .
Magnesium Hydroxide Side Effects
Data from clinical studies have described that the therapeutic use of magnesium hydroxide can cause some of the following adverse effects in a certain group of patients:
- Possible allergic reactions due to patient contact with any component of the medication.
- Diarrhea , constipation, loss of appetite, irritation.
- Tiredness and muscle weakness.
- Central nervous system (CNS) depression .
- It can reduce the absorption of drugs such as ciprofloxacin , iron salts , digoxin, doxycycline , among others.
Important: If during the course of treatment with magnesium hydroxide any of these symptoms or another not described appear, please discontinue use and inform your doctor .
Contraindications and warnings of magnesium hydroxide
The use of magnesium hydroxide is contraindicated in any of the following cases:
- Patient hypersensitivity to any of the components of the drug formula.
- In patients with severe renal insufficiency.
- People with hydroelectrolyte imbalance.
- In the case of recent constipation.
- During the pregnancy period.
You should know: Before starting treatment with this medicine, provide all the information regarding your medical history to your doctor.
Avoid if you have:
- History of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the drug formula.
- Medication with drugs for other pathologies without medical approval.
Warnings:
- Pharmaceutical products such as magnesium hydroxide, must be administered with prescription or medical prescription.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions while using this drug.
- Do not exceed the indicated dose.
- Maintain adequate fluid intake during treatment with magnesium hydroxide.
- Keep this product out of the reach of children.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.