Magnesium Supplements (Systemic)

Proper Use of This Dietary Supplement

Dosing - The amount of magnesium needed to meet normal daily recommended intakes will be different for different patients. The following information includes only the average amounts of magnesium.

• For oral dosage form (capsules, chewable tablets, crystals for oral solution, extended-release tablets, enteric-coated tablets, powder for oral solution, tablets, oral solution):
  • To prevent deficiency, the amount taken by mouth is based on normal daily recommended intakes (Note that the normal daily recommended intakes are expressed as an actual amount of magnesium. The salt form [e.g., magnesium chloride, magnesium gluconate, etc.] has a different strength.):
    For the U.S.
    • Adult and teenage males - 270 to 400 milligrams (mg) per day.
    • Adult and teenage females - 280 to 300 mg per day.
    • Pregnant females - 320 mg per day.
    • Breast-feeding females - 340 to 355 mg per day.
    • Children 7 to 10 years of age - 170 mg per day.
    • Children 4 to 6 years of age - 120 mg per day.
    • Children birth to 3 years of age - 40 to 80 mg per day.
    For Canada
    • Adult and teenage males - 130 to 250 mg per day.
    • Adult and teenage females - 135 to 210 mg per day.
    • Pregnant females - 195 to 245 mg per day.
    • Breast-feeding females - 245 to 265 mg per day.
    • Children 7 to 10 years of age - 100 to 135 mg per day.
    • Children 4 to 6 years of age - 65 mg per day.
    • Children birth to 3 years of age - 20 to 50 mg per day.
  • To treat deficiency:
    • Adults, teenagers, and children - Treatment dose is determined by prescriber for each individual based on severity of deficiency.

Magnesium supplements should be taken with meals. Taking magnesium supplements on an empty stomach may cause diarrhea.

For individuals taking the extended-release form of this dietary supplement:

• Swallow the tablets whole. Do not chew or suck on the tablet.
• Some tablets may be broken or crushed and sprinkled on applesauce or other soft food. However, check with your health care professional first, since this should not be done for most tablets.

For individuals taking the powder form of this dietary supplement:

• Pour powder into a glass.
• Add water and stir.

Missed dose - If you miss taking your magnesium supplement for one or more days there is no cause for concern, since it takes some time for your body to become seriously low in magnesium. However, if your health care professional has recommended that you take magnesium, try to remember to take it as directed every day.

Storage - To store this dietary supplement:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the dietary supplement to break down.
• Keep the dietary supplement from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep dietary supplements that are outdated or are no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded dietary supplement is out of the reach of children.