Magnesium is an essential mineral that helps keep your nerves, muscles, and immune system working properly.
Despite its benefits, magnesium can interfere with certain medications.
This means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
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Some Antibiotics
Antibioticsare used to treat bacterial infections.
This could mean your antibiotic will not work as well to treat your infection.
These antibiotics can also interact with other minerals and certain foods.
Additionally, some aminoglycoside antibiotics like gentamicin and tobramycin can cause your body to lose magnesium through urine.
If you take one of these, your healthcare provider may want to monitor your magnesium levels.
Bisphosphonates
Bisphosphonate medications help strengthen bones and reduce the risk of fractures in people withosteoporosis.
Common bisphosphonates includeFosamax (alendronate)and Actonel (risedronate).
To prevent any issues, take magnesium at least two hours before or after your bisphosphonate medication.
These medications are prescribed to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart conditions.
They work by relaxing your blood vessels.
Magnesium can act like a natural calcium channel blocker and potentially affect blood pressure.
Your healthcare provider may suggest monitoring your blood pressure closely if you take magnesium supplements or medications.
Alternatively, they may adjust your medications to help prevent your blood pressure from dropping too much.
Certain Diabetes Drugs
Sulfonylureasare a class ofdiabetesmedications used to help control blood sugar levels.
Magnesium can increase the absorption of sulfonylureas, potentially magnifying their effects.
This could lead tolow blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Insulin can cause magnesium to leave your cells, which may contribute tolow magnesium levelsin people with diabetes.
Over time, this magnesium loss can worsen health problems related to diabetes, such as heart issues.
This is why its important to maintain healthy magnesium levels, especially if youre using insulin or sulfonylureas.
Digoxin
Digoxinis a medication used totreat heart failure, but it can cause your body to lose magnesium.
Low magnesium levels can make heart problems worse, especially if it also leads tolow potassium.
They may also suggest taking magnesium supplements if needed to help prevent complications.
However, minerals like magnesium,zinc, and iron can reduce how well your body absorbs penicillamine.
This can make the medication less effective.
If you are also taking aniron supplement, they will likely advise spacing it two hours apart from penicillamine.
Long-term use of PPIs can lead to low magnesium levels.PPIs are available by prescription and over the counter.
Your healthcare provider will likely monitor your magnesium levels if you take long-term PPIs.
Thyroid Medication
Thyroid medicationslike Synthroid (levothyroxine) and Armour Thyroid are used to treatunderactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
These medications need an acidic environment to be properly absorbed by your body.
However, magnesium-containing medications and supplements can reduce stomach acid, making your thyroid medication less effective.
Gabapentin
Gabapentinis commonly prescribed to manage nerve pain and certain types of seizures.
However, magnesium can interfere with how your body absorbs gabapentin, making it less effective.
Does Magnesium Interact With Other Supplements?
While magnesium is important for your health, it can interact with other supplements.
For example, taking high doses ofzinclong term can interfere with how your body absorbs magnesium.
Similarly, taking large amounts of magnesium may reduce your bodys ability to absorbiron.
Magnesium is commonly found in vitamins, mineral supplements, and medications like antacids and laxatives.
However, this is not a complete list of all possible interactions.
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