Magnesium hydroxide is useful for treating symptoms due to excess stomach acid, such as stomach pain, indigestion, or heartburn . Magnesium hydroxide is also used as a short-term treatment for constipation.
Magnesium hydroxide is an antacid that works by neutralizing and reducing stomach acid. This drug is also a laxative (laxative) which is thought to work by drawing water into the intestine and helping the large intestine move to expel feces.
Magnesium hydroxide trademarks: Acitral, Actac Plus, Doen Antasida, Berlosid, Lagesil, Laxasium, Magten, Magtral, Mesamag, Polysilane, Samtacid, Simeco, Tropimag
What is Magnesium Hydroxide
| class | Free medicine |
| Category | Antacids and laxatives |
| Benefit | Neutralize stomach acid and overcome constipation |
| Consumed by | Adults and children aged ≥3 years |
| Magnesium hydroxide for pregnant and lactating women |
Category N: Animal studies have not produced conclusive evidence of the safety of magnesium hydroxide in pregnant women or the fetus. There have been no controlled studies in pregnant women. The drug should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.
Magnesium hydroxide can be absorbed into breast milk, but is considered safe for use during breastfeeding. If in doubt, consult a doctor. |
| Form | Suspension and chewable tablets |
Precautions Before Taking Magnesium Hydroxide
Pay attention to the following things before you take magnesium hydroxide:
- Do not take magnesium hydroxide if you are allergic to this drug.
- Do not take magnesium hydroxide without your doctor's advice if you have stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or are on a low magnesium diet.
- Tell your doctor if you experience a sudden change in bowel pattern and have lasted for more than 2 weeks
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor if you are using other drugs, supplements, vitamins, or herbal products, to anticipate drug-to-drug interactions.
- Immediately consult a doctor if an allergic reaction or serious side effect occurs after consuming magnesium hydroxide.
Dosage and Rules for Using Magnesium Hydroxide
The dose of magnesium hydroxide for each patient can be different. The following is a general dosage of magnesium hydroxide based on its function:
Purpose: Reducing stomach acid
Drug form: Suspension
- Adults and children ≥12 years: 400–1200 mg, 1–4 times daily, as needed, taken at least 4 hours between doses.
Medication form: Chewable tablets
- Adults and children ≥12 years: 400–1600 mg, 1–4 times daily, as needed, taken at least 4 hours between doses.
Purpose: Overcoming constipation
Drug form: Suspension
- Adults and children ≥12 years: 400–4,800 mg daily, taken as a single dose at bedtime or in divided doses.
- Children aged 6 – 12 years: 200–2,400 mg per day, taken as a single dose at bedtime or divided into several doses.
- Children aged 3-6 years: 400-200 mg per day, taken as a single dose at bedtime or in divided doses.
Medication form: Chewable tablets
- Adults and children ≥12 years: 3200 mg tablet per day, taken as a single dose or in divided doses.
- Children aged 6 – 12 years: 1600 mg tablet per day, taken as a single dose or in divided doses.
- Children aged 3-6 years: 800 mg tablets per day, taken as a single dose or divided into several doses of consumption.
How to Take Magnesium Hydroxide Properly
Magnesium hydroxide preparations used to treat stomach acid are usually combined with another antacid, such as aluminum hydroxide . If you are using a combination drug, read the dosage listed on the drug packaging or follow the doctor's recommendations.
Chewable magnesium hydroxide tablets need to be chewed thoroughly before swallowing. Meanwhile, magnesium hydroxide in suspension form needs to be shaken before consumption. Use the measuring spoon provided or a special measuring device so that the dose consumed is correct.
Be sure to drink a glass of water (~240 ml) if you are taking magnesium hydroxide which acts as a laxative. This drug works within 30 minutes to 6 hours after consumption.
Magnesium hydroxide is only used as long as there are complaints. If the complaint has improved after the first use, you don't need to take this drug again. However, if the complaint is still there, you can continue taking the drug as recommended above.
Do not use this medicine for more than 7 days to treat stomach acid, unless ordered by a doctor. If you are using it for constipation, do not use this medication for more than 3 days. Consult a doctor if your complaints have not improved after using this drug according to the rules of use.
If you need to take other medicines, give a gap of at least 2 hours between taking magnesium hydroxide and other medicines, so that the medicine can work properly.
Store magnesium hydroxide at room temperature away from heat, humidity and sunlight. Keep this drug out of reach of children.
Interactions of Magnesium Hydroxide with Other Drugs
There are several interaction effects that may occur when magnesium hydroxide is used together with other drugs, namely:
- Increased risk of side effects from ibuprofen and quinidine
- Decreased effectiveness of salicylates
- Increased side effects of sodium polystyrene sulfonate, especially side effects of metabolic alkalosis
- Decreased effectiveness of tetracyclines , quinolones , antifungals , rilpivirine, bisphosphonates , fexofenadine, corticosteroids , gabapentin, sulpiride , phenytoin, chlopromazine , ACE inhibitors , rosuvastatin, chloroquine , hydroxychloroquine, digoxin, levothyroxine , mycophenolate, iron, or nilotinib
Side Effects and Dangers of Magnesium Hydroxide
Side effects that can occur after consuming magnesium hydroxide are:
- Tastes like chewing chalk
- stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- liquid chapter
Contact your doctor if your side effects do not improve or get worse. Immediately see a doctor if you experience a drug allergic reaction or serious side effects that rarely occur, such as:
- The feeling of wanting to have a bowel movement does not appear even though it has been 6 hours after taking magnesium hydroxide as a laxative
- High levels of magnesium in the blood ( hypermagnesemia ) which can be characterized by muscle weakness, slow or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and changes in mood or mental state
- Dehydration , which can be characterized by decreased frequency of urination, dizziness, feeling very thirsty, or very dry mouth,
- Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, bloody stools, or blood coming from the rectum
- Fatigue, feeling weak, or feeling like you're about to faint