| Brand Name | Citroma |
| Generic Name | Magnesium citrate |
| Drug Class | Osmotic Laxative |
| Availability | OTC |
| Manufacturer | Various |
| Indications | Chronic Constipation |
| Type | Oral Solution |
| Doses | Oral: 150-300 mL once (often before bowel procedures) |
| Route | Oral |
| Side Effects | Diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea |
| Interactions | Caution with tetracyclines, digoxin, may bind other drugs |
| Overdose | Overdose may cause severe digestive symptoms and electrolyte imbalances. |
| Missed Dose | If you are on a schedule, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not double doses. |
| Contraindications | Renal impairment, heart block, electrolyte imbalance. |
| Alternatives | Polyethylene glycol, Magnesium hydroxide, Senna |
| Co-Pay Assistance Program | OTC |
| Patient Assistance Program | Not available |
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Magnesium citrate is used as a laxative in the treatment of constipation as well as emptying the bowel prior to the medical check-up like a colonoscopy.
The action of magnesium citrate involves the lure of water in the intestine that softens the stool and enhances a bowel movement. It causes also emptying of the intestinal muscles.
The abdominal crampling is accompanied by some of the common side effects such as diarrhea and bloating. Such negative effects are backward to the time that the bowel has traversed.
Magnesium citrate is normally used as a liquid either orally. The dose will also depend on the disease it is supposed to treat, and hence, follow the prescriptions of the targeted health practitioner.
Magnesium citrate is normally used in treating short-term constipation. Alternative medicine or lifestyle change can also be prescribed to the case of chronic constipation.
Magnesium citrate is mostly toxic when it is used as a long run treatment, during pregnancy but by no means when pregnant.
You should take a dose immediately in case you forget to take a dose except when you are near the time of taking another dose. Do not take two doses at once.
Magnesium citrate may be administered alongside the drugs that have the potential of altering the level of electrolytes or kidney surgeries. It is however interesting to get to know that you give information to your health care provider on all the single drugs, which you are taking.
The magnesium citrate effect takes 30 to 6 hours basing on the dosage and the response.
Yes in case of excessive usage of Magnesium citrate, he/she would be able to tell that he/she is dehydrated especially when the diarrhea is very severe. This drug should be taken in high quantities as liquids.
