How Long Does It Take For Magnesium Citrate To Work?

Magnesium citrate, often called citroma magnesium sulfate, is typically taken as a laxative to prepare the intestines for bowel operations or procedures. However, it may also be used to treat constipation in addition to surgery.

How Long Does It Take For Magnesium Citrate To Work?

It is a drug available over the counter and often prescribed by medical professionals. If you are experiencing trouble emptying your bowels, your doctor might prescribe this medication.

Nevertheless, you might be interested to learn how frequently and for how long it will take to work.

In this article, we will discover how long magnesium citrate will take to work, including usage and any possible side effects.

What Is Magnesium Citrate?

Through osmosis, magnesium citrate causes the amount of water in the colon to increase. Additionally, it improves bowel movements and treats bad bowel habits.

It can act as a laxative to help cleanse the gut before any medical operation, if that is necessary. 

Magnesium (see also: What Is Chelated Magnesium?)citrate is available as a pill and a liquid. As a result, someone can use it to relieve constipation if it is not severe or persists for an extended period of time.

It is the ideal choice if you want a rapid answer, but keep in mind that it is not a long-term option.

How Long Will Magnesium Citrate Take To Work?

A typical dose of magnesium citrate takes between 30 minutes and 3 hours to take effect.

It will gradually enter your circulation, improve bowel movements, and raise gut fluid levels. Then, passing stools will be simple.

Any medical advice given by a qualified practitioner, such as from your doctor or a pharmacist, should be followed.

What Is Magnesium Citrate Used For?

As stated above, magnesium citrate has various uses when it comes to your bowel habits. It can be taken as either a powder or pill when you are suffering with constipation or any other bowel issues.

In addition to that, magnesium citrate is used to prepare your body for particular medical operations and procedures.

Yet it isn’t just about the bowls. You may be advised by a doctor to take magnesium citrate for the treatment of an irregular heartbeat or to help with low levels of magnesium within your blood. 

Hence, there are a lot of reasons as to why a doctor may advise you to take magnesium citrate. 

Dosage Recommendations For Magnesium Citrate

A medical practitioner can advise you on the appropriate dosage based on your health needs. Before taking any medication, the bottle’s directions should be carefully read.

Adults can consume roughly 290gm with a whole glass of water for occasional constipation. A greater dose might be advised for usage as a medical laxative or to treat acid indigestion. 

Magnesium citrate can be taken as directed on a regular basis by your doctor. Although, it is important you drink plenty of water with it, as you can become quite dehydrated after taking it. 

Possible Magnesium Citrate Side Effects

The use of magnesium (see also: When To Take Magnesium)citrate is associated with side effects, just like any other medication. If you plan to take this supplement, you should look at the list of possible side effects below.

  • Nausea and Vomiting,
  • Feeling Light Headed,
  • Stomach Pain,
  • Dehydration,
  • Diarrhea,
  • Muscle Weakness,
  • Rectal Bleeding – if this occurs, you must go seek a medical professional.

Despite being extremely improbable, you might get allergic reactions like wheezing as well as other symptoms, whereby magnesium citrate could be the underlying reason. 

If you suffer any side effects, get checked out right away, then do as your doctor instructs.

When Must You Stop Taking Magnesium Citrate?

Magnesium citrate is an ineffective treatment for some medical disorders. You ought to stay away from it in these particular circumstances.

When Must You Stop Taking Magnesium Citrate?

Magnesium citrate may interact negatively with other drugs, particularly with some antibiotics you use. If you are taking other medication, you must see how the two interact, to avoid any negative effects. 

In these situations, you should get advice from your healthcare provider before using this laxative. If any of the following occur, stop taking magnesium citrate immediately.

  • Taking antibiotics such as tetracycline, ciprofloxacin doxycycline, levofloxacin, etc.
  • Heart issues of any kind.
  • Low calcium or sodium levels.
  • Obstructions in the colon, stomach, or bowels.
  • Any severe renal illness.
  • High potassium levels.
  • High magnesium levels.
  • Chronic constipation.
  • Although they are uncommon, this medication may cause allergic reactions.

Can You Consume Magnesium Citrate Every Day?

In general, daily consumption of magnesium citrate poses minimal health risks. However, if you rely on it every day to pass your feces without difficulty, you risk becoming reliant on it.

This may then cause us to ignore any real health problems that are going on, which are causing this constant constipation.

While magnesium citrate is a good treatment for occasional constipation. It should never be used as a permanent treatment.

If your constipation keeps occurring, it is important you go and seek the advice of a medical professional. 

How Do You Store Your Magnesium Citrate?

It is common practice to ignore the storage requirements for medications. Yet, by doing so, jeopardizes their quality and poses health risks. You can store magnesium citrate at room temperature.

Although, it is important that you keep any medication out of the hands of children.

Final Thoughts

Constipation can be effectively treated with magnesium citrate. Magnesium citrate takes different amounts of time to start working, but for the most part, results should be visible in 3 hours.

In addition to aiding with bowel movements, it has numerous other purposes.

With that considered, you should stop taking magnesium citrate and consult a doctor or pharmacist if you have any negative side effects or if it interacts poorly with any other medications.

We hope you have found this article useful. Hopefully, you should now have a clearer idea on how long magnesium citrate takes to work.

Adam Maxwell
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