MAGNESIA ® Magnesium hydroxide

MAGNESIA ® is a magnesium hydroxide drug.

THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Antacids.

IndicationsAction mechanismStudies and clinical effectiveness Usage and dosage instructionsWarnings Pregnancy and lactationInteractionsContraindicationsUndesirable effects

Indications MAGNESIA ® Magnesium hydroxide

MAGNESIA ® is useful both for the treatment of occasional constipation and for the symptoms associated with gastric hyperacidity.

Mechanism of action MAGNESIA ® Magnesium hydroxide

The dual therapeutic action of MAGNESIA ® is essentially associated with the biological characteristics of magnesium hydroxide, capable of acting both as a buffer for gastric acidity and as a laxative.

The first action is guaranteed by the chemical structure of this salt, which being a weak base, is able to modulate the acidity of the gastric juice, keeping it within the physiological limits, without altering its enzymatic and digestive properties, while the laxative action is it concretizes above all when MAGNESIA ® is taken at higher doses and, acting as an osmotic laxative, is able to maintain the osmolarity of the ingested solution like the haematic one, facilitating the accumulation of water in the intestinal lumen, hydrating the faeces, and significantly improving evacuation.

In both cases, therefore, the therapeutic action of Magnesium hydroxide is performed through a chemical-physical mechanism, without altering the cytological, histological and functional characteristics of the gastric or intestinal mucosa.

This feature is important in preserving the proper health of the digestive system.

Studies carried out and clinical efficacy

1. ANTI-ACID EFFECT OF THE MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE

In addition to the laxative effect, magnesium hydroxide is also used as an antacid. However, although alone at doses of 800mg it has been shown to be effective in increasing the gastric pH in about 40 minutes, the combination with other salts with a buffering power makes this product more effective in resolving this disease

2. HYPOMAGNESIA INDUCED BY MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE

The scientific literature is rich in studies and case reports, which show the presence of hypermagnesaemia associated with prolonged administration of magnesium hydroxide. This particular evidence describes the presence of low plasma magnesium levels following the chronic administration of magnesium hydroxide, and probably justified by the persistent diarrhea induced by the abuse of this laxative.

3.HIPERASSUMPTION OF MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE

This important case report shows that excessive intake of magnesium hydroxide in the presence of chronic constipation and intestinal obstruction can determine a significant increase in magnesimia, with consequent important factors such as lethargy, drop in blood pressure and atrioventricular block. This study reaffirms the importance of considering magnesium hydroxide as a remedy for acute constipation episodes.

Method of use and dosage

MAGNESIA ® powder for oral suspension from 90g of magnesium hydroxide on 100 grams of product; 45g effervescent powder of magnesium hydroxide:

the prescribed doses for this drug naturally vary according to the purposes for which it is used. More precisely, the antacid effect manifests itself already at modest doses, equal to the content of a teaspoon, while laxative or even purgative doses are instead guaranteed respectively by a teaspoon and a product spoon.

As an antacid, MAGNESIA ® should be taken immediately after meals, while as a laxative, it would be preferable to take it in the morning with plenty of water, able to enhance its effect.

In both cases, however, use should always be made of the minimum doses envisaged, to increase them later in the absence of effective results, and possibly for limited periods of time, in any case not exceeding seven days.

Warnings MAGNESIA ® Magnesium hydroxide

The laxative effect of MAGNESIA ® exposes this drug to the common warnings of other osmotic laxatives.

More precisely, it is advisable to limit the intake of magnesium hydroxide, at limited time intervals, in order to avoid unpleasant episodes of persistent diarrhea, with consequent dehydration and hypokalemia.

This last condition could be particularly dangerous due to the toxic effects on the cardiovascular and neuromuscular level, responsible for serious pathologies.

Therefore it is advisable to consider this medicine as an immediate remedy for sporadic episodes of constipation or gastric hyperacidity.

MAGNESIA ® contains sucrose, therefore special care should be taken in patients suffering from isomaltase enzyme deficiency or reduced glucose / galactose absorption as well as in diabetics.

Furthermore, the presence of sodium could be dangerous for patients suffering from hypertension and kidney diseases.

MAGNESIA ® does not alter the normal perceptive and reactive capacities of the patient, therefore it can be freely taken before driving vehicles or using work machinery.

PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

The absence of statistically significant clinical trials, related to the use of MAGNESIA ® during the period of pregnancy and lactation, do not allow to fully characterize the safety profile of the drug.

Therefore its administration in these cases should only take place in case of inevitable necessity and under strict medical supervision.

Interactions

The presence of magnesium hydroxide as an antacid, can significantly interfere with the absorption of different active ingredients and in particular with tetracycline antibiotics.

Furthermore, the laxative effect induced by this compound can accelerate intestinal transit by reducing intestinal absorption of other active ingredients.

In light of this evidence, it would be advisable to take a certain drug at least two hours after taking MAGNESIA ® .

Contraindications MAGNESIA ® Magnesium hydroxide

MAGNESIA ® is contraindicated in case of known hypersensitivity to one of its components, in the case of patients suffering from recurrent intestinal pain, diarrhea, nausea, obstruction or intestinal bleeding and severe dehydration.

This medicine is also contraindicated in children and during pregnancy and lactation.

Undesirable effects - Side effects

MAGNESIA ® was well tolerated both in clinical trials and in the subsequent post-marketing evaluation, highlighting minor and rapidly regressive side effects characterized by painful cramps and abdominal colic.