When to Take Magnesium: Best Timing, Safety, and More

16 Dec.,2024

 

When to Take Magnesium: Best Timing, Safety, and More

When to take magnesium can depend on the desired use, dosage, and other personal factors. Doctors generally advise taking magnesium with food and separately from other medications. This article discusses when to take magnesium, including optimum timing and dosage. It also explains how to take magnesium safely and the possible risks of taking magnesium. Finally, it answers frequently asked questions about when to take magnesium.

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When is it best to take magnesium supplements?

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The best time of day to take a magnesium supplement depends on the reason you are taking it and the dosage you need. Your doctor may advise you to take magnesium for different uses and in different doses. For example, people may take magnesium one to four times every day. Additionally, different variations of magnesium may require different dosing approaches.

Learn more about different types of magnesium and their uses.

According to a overview, the benefits of taking magnesium are often linked Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source to long-term or consistent use. A trial Trusted Source American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Peer reviewed journal Go to source also suggests that taking magnesium supplements daily for 24 weeks had effects such as helping improve arterial stiffness.

Therefore, if taken consistently and safely, it may be effective to take magnesium at the most convenient time of day for you.

Below is some general advice to help you take magnesium safely and effectively:

  • Take magnesium at the same time every day: While the time of day you personally choose may not matter, try to stick to this same time every day

    Trusted Source

    Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

    Governmental authority

    Go to source
    . This can help you remember to take the magnesium supplements consistently. It also keeps the level of magnesium in the body steady.
  • Take magnesium with food: It is advisable to take magnesium supplements after eating or around mealtimes. Taking magnesium with food may help reduce the risk of side effects such as diarrhea.
  • Take magnesium 2 hours apart from other medications: Avoid taking other medications in the 2 hours before and after taking magnesium. Magnesium may interact with other substances.
  • Do not take a double dose if you miss one: If you miss a dose of magnesium, take the regular dose as soon as you remember it. However, if you are close to taking the next dose, wait until your typical time and carry on as usual.
  • Contact your doctor: If you have questions about using magnesium or other supplements, contact your doctor for advice. Use and timing can vary per product.

Read more about magnesium, including its uses and safety.

Magnesium as a laxative

Magnesium citrate in liquid form is a type of magnesium used as a laxative. It also comes in a pill form that can be used as a nutritional supplement, not a laxative.

If you are using magnesium citrate liquid as a laxative, there may be different steps for taking it safely and effectively.

For example, you may need to take magnesium citrate liquid with more fluids, or take other products on an empty stomach. However, this advice can vary, so always follow the product label directions and your doctor's prescribed instructions.

When to take magnesium for sleep

There is no one time to take magnesium for sleep that is supported by high quality research. Researchers from a meta-analysis Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source suggest benefits for sleep when taking magnesium at a range of times.

However, some suggest taking magnesium a few hours before your planned sleep time to optimize its effects. Some medications, including some types of magnesium, may take a few hours Trusted Source Wiley Peer reviewed journal Go to source to take effect.

While some people report improvements when taking magnesium this way, further high quality research is necessary to confirm the extra benefits for sleep.

Studies do suggest that one of the most important factors in taking magnesium effectively for sleep is taking it consistently every day. As a result, you may find that taking magnesium a few hours before sleep is effective for you.

According to the National Health Service (NHS), a balanced diet should provide all the magnesium your body needs. This can include prioritizing foods such as:

  • whole foods and grains
  • minimally processed carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
  • fresh fruit and vegetables

Read more about how to balance nutrition.

Are you interested in learning more about Magnesium Compounds? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

However, if your doctor has suggested that you take magnesium, knowing how and when to take it can optimize its effects.

A doctor will recommend a specific amount for you, as appropriate doses may vary. However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Trusted Source National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements Governmental authority Go to source recommends the following general maximum dose limits for magnesium supplements:

AgeMaximum daily intake from supplements1'3 years65 milligrams (mg)4'8 years110 mg9 years and older350 mg

Read more about magnesium supplement dosage.

Precautions and interactions

Taking high levels of magnesium can cause harmful side effects. These side effects are unlikely to occur Trusted Source National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements Governmental authority Go to source from food sources of magnesium. However, high doses of magnesium supplementation may cause:

Contact your doctor promptly if you notice mild to moderate side effects after taking supplements such as magnesium. Seek emergency care for severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, and weakness.

What should you not take with magnesium?

Magnesium, like other substances, can interfere with other substances and medications. This means that substances you take may work less effectively or produce harmful side effects.

Medications that magnesium may interact with include Trusted Source National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements Governmental authority Go to source :

  • antibiotics
  • bisphosphonates
  • diuretics
  • proton pump inhibitors

These medications can be known by many different brand names.

If you already take medications or supplements, contact your doctor to ask whether you can also safely take magnesium.

Do not stop taking any prescribed medications before consulting your doctor.

FAQ

Philip Ngo, Pharm.D., has reviewed the following frequently asked questions.

Is it OK to take magnesium daily?

It can be safe to take magnesium daily. In fact, magnesium may be most effective when taken consistently and long-term.

When should you not take magnesium?

Do not take magnesium if your doctor has advised you not to. It is also advisable not to take magnesium within 2 hours of other medications.

Magnesium may negatively affect some conditions. Always consult a doctor before starting a new supplement or medication, even if it is available over the counter.

Summary

When to take magnesium can vary depending on factors such as its intended use, dosage, and underlying health. In some cases, it may be most effective to take magnesium at a convenient time for you. This will help you take it more consistently.

General advice for taking magnesium includes avoiding taking it within 2 hours of other medications and taking it at the same time every day. Follow your doctor's advice.

Always consult with a doctor before taking magnesium or any other new supplements.

Magnesium supplement (oral route)

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking any of these dietary supplements, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using dietary supplements in this class with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with dietary supplements in this class or change some of the other medicines you take.

  • Eplerenone
  • Fesoterodine
  • Glycopyrrolate
  • Trospium
  • Viloxazine

Using dietary supplements in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Abametapir
  • Acalabrutinib
  • Alacepril
  • Altretamine
  • Amiloride
  • Amphetamine
  • Atazanavir
  • Baloxavir Marboxil
  • Benazepril
  • Benzphetamine
  • Bictegravir
  • Bisacodyl
  • Cabotegravir
  • Canrenoate
  • Captopril
  • Carbamazepine
  • Cefuroxime Axetil
  • Chlorpromazine
  • Chlortetracycline
  • Cilazapril
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Delafloxacin
  • Delapril
  • Demeclocycline
  • Dextroamphetamine
  • Digoxin
  • Dolutegravir
  • Doxycycline
  • Eltrombopag
  • Elvitegravir
  • Enoxacin
  • Eravacycline
  • Erdafitinib
  • Ezetimibe
  • Fluvoxamine
  • Fosinopril
  • Gatifloxacin
  • Gefitinib
  • Gemifloxacin
  • Grepafloxacin

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