Magnesium carbonate: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Medicine Magnesium Carbonate?

What is magnesium carbonate for?

Magnesium carbonate is a drug used to treat dyspepsia or better known as ulcers. Ulcer is a digestive disorder characterized by flatulence, discomfort in the stomach, nausea and vomiting, and chest pain as if it is burning (heartburn). This drug acts as an antacid that works by helping neutralize stomach acid.

Magnesium carbonate may also be used as a mineral supplement to treat hypomagnesemia, which is a magnesium level in the blood that is too low. In general, magnesium is needed to support the function of nerves, muscles, bones, heart and cells in the body to work properly.

In fact, you can get your magnesium intake from foods that you often eat everyday, such as green leafy vegetables, milk, nuts, and seeds. Unfortunately, some people cannot get enough magnesium from these foods. As a result, they need additional magnesium intake in supplement form.

Hypomagnesemia is usually caused by decreased absorption of magnesium in the intestine or increased excretion (excretion) of magnesium in the urine. This can occur due to indigestion, side effects of certain drugs, the influence of certain medical conditions, to alcoholism.

Your doctor may use magnesium carbonate for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

How is magnesium carbonate used?

Take this medication as directed by your doctor or listed on the product packaging. Listen carefully to the information provided. If you don't really understand how to use it, don't hesitate to ask directly to a doctor or pharmacist.

This medicine is available in two forms, namely chewable tablets and liquid. For chewable tablets, chew the medicine until it breaks before swallowing.

Crushed drugs will be easier to enter the stomach so they can work faster to relieve symptoms. Meanwhile, for drugs in the form of liquids or syrups, shake the bottle first so that the drugs can be mixed evenly.

After shaking, pour the liquid medicine onto a spoon or measuring cup, which is usually available in packaged packages with the recommended dosage. Do not use a regular tablespoon because the dosage can be different. If there is no measuring spoon or cup in the package, ask the pharmacist for the exact dose.

Use this medicine after meals to prevent stomach upset and diarrhea. Take each dose of medicine along with a glass of water so that the drug can be swallowed completely and to reduce bad taste in the mouth.

In addition, it is also important to find out the best medication schedule. Especially when you have to take several types of drugs at once. So, ask your doctor about any time you should be using this medication. This is done to prevent dangerous side effects.

Try to use this drug regularly in order to get maximum benefits. In order to remember, use it at the same time every day. It is better not to start or stop medication without first consulting a doctor.

Do not increase your dose or take medication more frequently than recommended by the product packaging or your doctor. The dose of the drug is adjusted to the health condition and the patient's response to treatment. Too much magnesium in the blood can cause serious side effects.

Basically, use any type of medicinal drug as prescribed by a doctor or stated on the product packaging label. Immediately check with the nearest doctor if the condition does not improve even though you have used the drug regularly or your symptoms are getting worse.

How is magnesium carbonate stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Magnesium Carbonate Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of magnesium carbonate for adults?

To neutralize stomach acid, the recommended dosage of the drug is 1-2 chewable tablets taken 4 times a day. Meanwhile, for the drug in the form of a suspension (liquid), the dose is 10 milliliters (mL) taken 3 times a day.

The dosage for each person may be different. The dosage of drugs is usually adjusted according to the patient's age, overall health condition, and their response to treatment.

Be sure to always consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any type of medication. This is to ensure that you are taking the drug according to the recommended dosage.

What is the dose of magnesium carbonate for children?

There is no definite dosage requirement for children. The dosage of drugs for children is usually adjusted according to their weight, health condition, and their response to treatment.

This drug can be dangerous for children if used improperly. Therefore, consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

In what dosage is magnesium carbonate available?

This drug is available in tablet and suspension form.

Magnesium Carbonate Side Effects

What side effects can be experienced due to magnesium carbonate?

Basically all drugs have the potential to cause side effects from mild to severe, including magnesium carbonate. Some of the most common side effects that people complain about after using this medicine include:

• Diarrhea
• Stomach ache
• Burping due to the release of carbon dioxide

Attention!Although it is very rare, some people can experience severe and sometimes even deadly side effects when using certain medications. Go to a doctor immediately or seek immediate medical attention if you experience a number of signs and symptoms that may be associated with serious side effects, such as:

• Rash
• Itching in part or all over the body
• Swelling of the throat, lips and tongue
• Peeling skin that is without or accompanied by fever
• Unusual hoarse voice
• Hard to breathe
• Chest pain
• Difficulty swallowing or speaking
• Black stool and darker colored urine
• Chronic diarrhea

Not everyone experiences the above side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you want to know about side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Magnesium Carbonate Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using magnesium carbonate?

In order for this drug to provide optimal benefits, there are a number of things you need to know and do, such as:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have any allergies to magnesium carbonate, magnesium supplements, antacid drugs, and other drugs. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a constituent list of drugs before you use them.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines you are taking or will be taking regularly. Whether it's prescription, non-prescription drugs, to natural remedies made from herbal ingredients.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have or have had a history of liver and kidney disease. This medicine may interfere with kidney and liver function if not used carefully.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have a history of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and so on.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not yet known whether this drug is safe to drink for pregnant or lactating women. Therefore, you should tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

One of the most common side effects of this drug is stomach upset and diarrhea. If you experience both side effects for more than 3 days, go to a doctor immediately. In essence, don't hesitate to check with your doctor every time you feel something strange or unusual about your own body.

While using this medicine, your doctor may ask you to undergo periodic health checks. This is done to help doctors see the effectiveness of the treatment you are taking.

In addition, be sure to follow all doctor's advice and / or therapist's instructions. Your doctor may need to change your medication dose or monitor you carefully to prevent certain side effects.

Is magnesium carbonate safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category N according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = Maybe risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Meanwhile, for breastfeeding mothers, there is no clear evidence whether this drug harms the baby or not. To avoid various negative possibilities, do not take this medicine carelessly or without the doctor's permission.

Magnesium Carbonate Drug Interactions

What drugs may interact with magnesium carbonate?

Drug interactions may change how medications work or increase the risk of serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change your dose without your doctor's approval.

Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about prescription and nonprescription / herbal products you may use, especially:

• Cellulose sodium phosphate
• Digoxin
• Sodium polystyrene sulfonate

Magnesium can bind to certain drugs, preventing complete absorption. If you are also taking tetracycline-type medications (demeclocycline, doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline), give yourself at least 2-3 hours of time before taking this medication.

This drug also has the potential to cause interactions when used in conjunction with other drugs such as:

• Bisphosphonate (alendronate)
• Medication for thyroid disease (levothyroxine)
• Quinolone type antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin),

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how long the time lag is for taking the various types of drugs above after taking calcium carbonate drugs.

Check the labels on all prescription and nonprescription / herbal products (eg antacids, laxatives, vitamins) as they may contain magnesium. Ask the pharmacist about how to use this drug safely.

Can food or alcohol interact with magnesium carbonate?

Certain drugs cannot be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur.

Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Discuss with a healthcare professional about using drugs with food, alcohol, or cigarettes.

What health conditions can interact with magnesium carbonate?

The presence of other drug problems may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney abnormalities
• Diabetes
• Alcohol addiction
• Liver disease
• Phenylketonuria
• Hypophosphatemia

Magnesium Carbonate Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department. Bring a medicine box, container, or label with you when you go to the hospital to help the doctor with any necessary information.

When someone has an overdose, various symptoms that may arise are:

• Too low blood pressure (hypotension) which makes the head dizzy
• Fainting
• Fast and irregular heartbeat
• Slower than normal heart rate

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your dosing schedule. Do not use extra doses to make up for a missed dose.

If you continue to miss doses, consider setting an alarm or asking a family member to remind you.

Please consult with your doctor to discuss changes in your dosing schedule or a new schedule to make up for a missed dose, if you have missed too many doses recently.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Image source: Freepik by Jcomp