How to Take Magnesium Citrate

Taking Laxatives

Purchase an oral laxative. To help relieve irregularity and constipation, look for magnesium citrate in the form of a saline oral laxative solution. These are available over-the-counter and can be found in most supermarkets and drugstores.

Take the amount recommended on the bottle. Different brands of laxative will have slightly different instructions, so read the back of the bottle carefully before taking any medicine. Pay special attention to how many doses the bottle contains, how often you should take it, and the amount recommended for people your age. Read any listed warnings before taking the laxative. If necessary, consult a doctor prior to use.

Take each dose with 8 fluid ounces (240 ml) of water. Laxative solutions require a significant amount of liquid to work, meaning they can cause dehydration when used improperly. To avoid this, take your laxative with a full, 8 fluid ounces (240 ml) glass of water. After use, make sure to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.

Use laxatives sparingly to keep your bowels strong. Laxatives should be used to fix occasional irregularity, not long-term bowel problems. To keep your bowels strong and healthy, do not use laxatives for over 7 days at a time. If your constipation symptoms remain for longer than a week, stop taking magnesium citrate and consult your doctor immediately.

Using Dietary Supplements

Purchase 200-500 mg dietary capsules or tablets. To fix issues not related to constipation, such as magnesium and calcium deficiency, look for magnesium citrate capsules or tablets that have “Dietary Supplement” written on the label and contain between 200 and 500 milligrams per unit. Avoid products that skew far higher or lower than these amounts, as dose recommendations for magnesium citrate tend to be around 400 mg.

Take each dose as instructed on the packaging. Read the back of your supplement case to see how large a dose you should take and how often you should take it. Some brands put an entire dose in one pill, while others split it among two or three. Before taking the supplement, look through any warnings listed on the package. Talk to your doctor if necessary. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid taking any dietary supplements unless prescribed by a doctor.

Drink 8 fluid ounces (240 ml) of water with each dose. Your body can absorb magnesium citrate extremely quickly. That’s great for enjoying the benefits of each capsule or tablet, but it can leave you dehydrated if you’re not careful. Make sure to take each dose with an 8 fluid ounces (240 ml) glass of water, and drink more throughout the day as necessary.

Take your dose while eating to avoid stomach aches and diarrhea. Though not marketed as laxatives, magnesium citrate dietary supplements can potentially cause bowel movements, bloating, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. To minimize the chance of this happening, take your dose with food. If possible, take the supplement during a meal.