Products
Magnesium is found in numerous pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements and is available in the form of tablets, effervescent tablets, chewable tablets, lozenges, capsules, direct granules, powder, injectable solution, and granules, among others.
Structure and properties
Magnesium (Mg, atomic number: 12) is present in drugs in the form of various inorganic and organic salts, such as magnesium chloride, magnesium gluconate, magnesium citrate, magnesium aspartate, magnesium glutamate, magnesium glycerophosphate, and magnesium orotate. The salts differ, among other things, in water solubility, bioavailability, and the amount of elemental magnesium they contain. A distinction is also made between organic (with carbon) and inorganic magnesium (e.g. magnesium chloride). For detailed information, please refer to the article Organic Magnesium. Elemental magnesium is a shiny, gray and light solid with a high reactivity. It reacts with oxygen, for example, giving up its valence electrons and being reduced in the process. The typical oxidation number is + II.
- 2 Mg: (magnesium elemental) + O2 (oxygen) 2 MgO (magnesium oxide)
See also under redox reactions. Magnesium chips or powder are flammable and burn with a white flame. The powder can explode as dust. Water should not be used in a fire, because magnesium reacts with water vapor to form hydrogen, which is also flammable (! ):
- Mg: (magnesium elemental) + H2O (water) H2 (hydrogen) + MgO (magnesium oxide)
Therefore, only dry sand or metal fire powder (extinguishing powder) is suitable for extinguishing. Magnesium is one of the precursors for explosives.
Effects
Magnesium (ATC A12CC) has, among other things, muscle relaxant, laxative, partial vasodilator, and antiarrhythmic properties. It is a cofactor of hundreds of enzymes, a physiological calcium antagonist, and it reduces acetylcholine release at skeletal muscle. Magnesium in humans is found primarily in bone, teeth, muscle and cells. It is involved in bone mineralization, muscle relaxation, energy production and signal transmission in the brain. A clinically manifest magnesium deficiency can cause severe symptoms. These include muscle cramps, muscle twitching, cardiac arrhythmias, hemiplegia, dizziness and delirium. Possible causes include excessive excretion through the digestive tract and kidney. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and diuretics can trigger magnesium deficiency.
Indications
Possible indications for use include (selection):
- Magnesium deficiency, lack of supply, increased excretion.
- Increased need, eg sports, growth phase, pregnancy and lactation.
- Neuromuscular hyperexcitability, nocturnal calf cramps, muscle spasms, muscle twitching, restless legs syndrome.
- Tachycardic arrhythmiascoronary artery disease, stiff neck.
- Constipation
- For prophylaxis of tension headaches and migraines
- As a labor inhibitor during pregnancy, preeclampsia, eclampsia.
- Tetanic syndrome
- Prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors.
Elemental magnesium:
- For chemistry experiments in chemistry classes.
Dosage
According to the professional information. The drugs are taken between one to four times a day, depending on the indication and dosage form. Products exist that only need to be administered once daily. The daily requirement for adults ranges from 300 to 400 mg of Mg2+.
Contraindications
Magnesium is contraindicated in:
- Hypersensitivity
- Severe renal dysfunction, renal insufficiency with anuria and exsiccosis.
- Disturbances in the conduction of excitation in the heart (AV block).
- Predisposition to urinary tract infections with formation of magnesium ammonium phosphate stones.
- Myasthenia gravis
For complete precautions, see the drug label.
Interactions
Magnesium may reduce the absorption and therefore the bioavailability of other drugs. These include iron and tetracyclines. Therefore, it should not be administered concomitantly with these drugs.
Adverse effects
Possible adverse effects include soft stools and diarrhea.Dose reduction can reduce these side effects.
