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What Is Magnesium Citrate?

Magnesium citrate is a magnesium salt used in dietary supplements and over-the-counter saline laxatives. Current oral laxative products commonly contain 1.745 g of magnesium citrate per fluid ounce. They are labeled for occasional constipation and usually produce a bowel movement within 30 minutes to six hours.

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What Is Magnesium Citrate?

Magnesium citrate is a magnesium salt used in dietary supplements and over-the-counter saline laxatives. Current oral laxative products commonly contain 1.745 g of magnesium citrate per fluid ounce. They are labeled for occasional constipation and usually produce a bowel movement within 30 minutes to six hours.

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How Does Magnesium Citrate Relieve Constipation?

Magnesium citrate increases the amount of water retained in the intestines through an osmotic effect. This softens stool and promotes intestinal movement, helping relieve occasional constipation.

Who Uses Magnesium Citrate?

Magnesium citrate oral laxatives are used for occasional constipation in adults and children under age-specific product directions. People with kidney disease, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or a persistent change in bowel habits require medical advice before use. Frequent or prolonged laxative use also requires medical evaluation.

How Is Magnesium Citrate Dosed?

For current magnesium citrate saline laxative containing 1.745 g per fluid ounce, adults and children age 12 and older take 6.5 to 10 fluid ounces, with a maximum of 10 fluid ounces in 24 hours. Children age 6 through 11 take 3 to 7 fluid ounces, while children age 2 through 5 take 2 to 3 fluid ounces. Each dose is taken with a full glass of liquid. Directions can differ for other formulations.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Magnesium Citrate?

Magnesium citrate can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramping, dehydration, and electrolyte disturbances. Excessive magnesium accumulation can occur in patients with impaired kidney function. Rectal bleeding or failure to have a bowel movement after use requires medical evaluation. Current labels advise against prolonged use without medical supervision and direct separation from other oral medicines by at least two hours.

Frequently Asked Questions About Magnesium Citrate

What is magnesium citrate used for?

Magnesium citrate oral laxatives temporarily relieve occasional constipation.

How quickly does magnesium citrate work?

Current laxative labeling states that a bowel movement usually occurs within 30 minutes to six hours.

What is the maximum adult dose of magnesium citrate laxative?

For the current 1.745 g per fluid ounce product, adults and children age 12 and older do not exceed 10 fluid ounces in 24 hours.

Can people with kidney disease take magnesium citrate?

Kidney disease increases the risk of magnesium accumulation, so medical advice is required before using magnesium citrate laxatives.

References

DailyMed - MAGNESIUM CITRATE solution. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=4e6a64a0-e453-709b-e063-6294a90a7443. Date Accessed October 13, 2026.

DailyMed - MAGNESIUM CITRATE liquid. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=583b64e7-e48d-6ba6-e063-6294a90ad4d7. Date Accessed October 13, 2026.

Magnesium Citrate. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a619019.html. Date Accessed October 13, 2026.

Magnesium Citrate Dibasic. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Magnesium-citrate-dibasic. Date Accessed October 13, 2026.

Magnesium Citrate Solution. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/20745-magnesium-citrate-solution. Date Accessed October 13, 2026.