Last update Feb. 12, 2025

Magnesium Oxide

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Magnesium oxide is an antacid with general properties similar to those of magnesium hydroxide. It is also an osmotic laxative used for bowel preparation combined with bisacodyl or sodium picosulfate. It is used as an antacid combined with aluminum hydroxide to counteract the laxative effect. It is also used as a magnesium supplement in deficiency states and as a food additive. Oral administration.

Adequate magnesium intake for nursing mothers is estimated at 310 to 360 mg daily (MedlinePlus 2017, EFSA 2006); some countries set values as high as 450 mg daily. (Hall 2010)

Aluminum and magnesium from antacids are not concentrated in breast milk. (Mahadevan 2006, Richter 2005)

The average natural concentration of magnesium in milk is 31 mg/L (15 to 64 mg/L) and is little affected by magnesium administration. (Cruikshank 1982, Dórea 2000, Nagy 1994, Feeley 1983).

Its low oral bioavailability (AEMPS 2024) means that the passage to infant plasma from ingested breast milk is scarce, except in premature infants and the immediate neonatal period, in which there may be greater intestinal absorption.

The manufacturer and expert authors consider its use compatible with breastfeeding. (Hale, AEMPS 2024, Schaefer 2015, Mahadevan 2006, Richter 2005, Broussard 1998)

Avoid chronic or excessive use. List of essential medicines WHO 2002: Aluminum and magnesium hydroxides compatible with breastfeeding. (WHO 2002)

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Magnesium Oxide since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Magnesium Oxide in other languages or writings:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Magnesium Oxide in its composition:

  • 102 Plus™. Contains other elements than Magnesium Oxide in its composition
  • Active Calcium™. Contains other elements than Magnesium Oxide in its composition
  • Alfem™. Contains other elements than Magnesium Oxide in its composition
  • Andino Diure™. Contains other elements than Magnesium Oxide in its composition
  • Beelith™. Contains other elements than Magnesium Oxide in its composition
  • CitraFleet™. Contains other elements than Magnesium Oxide in its composition
  • Citrato Espresso Gabbiani™. Contains other elements than Magnesium Oxide in its composition
  • Clenpiq™. Contains other elements than Magnesium Oxide in its composition
  • Elevit™. Contains other elements than Magnesium Oxide in its composition
  • Eupeptina™. Contains other elements than Magnesium Oxide in its composition
  • Lösnesium™. Contains other elements than Magnesium Oxide in its composition
  • Mag-200
  • Mag-Ox
  • Magnesio Vital™. Contains other elements than Magnesium Oxide in its composition
  • Magnonorm™. Contains other elements than Magnesium Oxide in its composition
  • Maox
  • Multibionta Complex™. Contains other elements than Magnesium Oxide in its composition
  • Oblax A-1-1™. Contains other elements than Magnesium Oxide in its composition
  • Picoprep™. Contains other elements than Magnesium Oxide in its composition
  • Uro-Mag

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 10 - 30 %
Molecular weight 40 daltons

References

  1. Hale TW. Medications & Mothers' Milk. 1991- . Springer Publishing Company. Available from https://www.halesmeds.com Consulted on April 10, 2024 Full text (link to original source)
  2. AEMPS. CitraFleet. Ficha técnica. 2024 Full text (in our servers)
  3. MedlinePlus. Magnesium in diet. Medical Encyclopedia 2017 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. MedlinePlus. Magnesio en la dieta. Enciclopedia médica. 2017 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. Schaefer C, Peters P, Miller RK. Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation. Treatment options and risk assessment. Elsevier, Third Edition. 2015
  6. Hall Moran V, Lowe N, Crossland N, Berti C, Cetin I, Hermoso M, Koletzko B, Dykes F. Nutritional requirements during lactation. Towards European alignment of reference values: the EURRECA network. Matern Child Nutr. 2010 Oct;6 Suppl 2:39-54. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. EFSA. European Food Safety Authority. Tolerable upper intake levels for vitamins and minerals. Scientific Committee on Food. 2006 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  8. Mahadevan U, Kane S. American gastroenterological association institute technical review on the use of gastrointestinal medications in pregnancy. Gastroenterology. 2006 Jul;131(1):283-311. Review. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  9. Richter JE. Review article: the management of heartburn in pregnancy. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2005 Nov 1;22(9):749-57. Review. Abstract Full text (in our servers)
  10. WHO / UNICEF. BREASTFEEDING AND MATERNAL MEDICATION Recommendations for Drugs in the Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs. Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (WHO/UNICEF) 2002 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  11. Nice FJ, Snyder JL, Kotansky BC. Breastfeeding and over-the-counter medications. J Hum Lact. 2000 Nov;16(4):319-31. Review. Erratum in: J Hum Lact 2001 Feb;17(1):90. Abstract
  12. Dórea JG. Magnesium in human milk. J Am Coll Nutr. 2000 Apr;19(2):210-9. Review. Abstract
  13. Idama TO, Lindow SW. Magnesium sulphate: a review of clinical pharmacology applied to obstetrics. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1998 Mar;105(3):260-8. Review. No abstract available. Abstract
  14. Broussard CN, Richter JE. Treating gastro-oesophageal reflux disease during pregnancy and lactation: what are the safest therapy options? Drug Saf. 1998 Oct;19(4):325-37. Review. Abstract
  15. Nagy E, Jobst K. The kinetics of aluminium-containing antacid absorption in man. Eur J Clin Chem Clin Biochem. 1994 Abstract
  16. Morris ME, LeRoy S, Sutton SC. Absorption of magnesium from orally administered magnesium sulfate in man. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1987;25(5):371-82. Abstract
  17. Feeley RM, Eitenmiller RR, Jones JB Jr, Barnhart H. Calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium contents of human milk during early lactation. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1983 May;2(2):262-7. Abstract
  18. Cruikshank DP, Varner MW, Pitkin RM. Breast milk magnesium and calcium concentrations following magnesium sulfate treatment. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1982 Jul 15;143(6):685-8. No abstract available. Abstract

Total visits

133,552

Help us improve this entry

How to cite this entry

Do you need more information or did not found what you were looking for?

   Write us at elactancia.org@gmail.com

e-lactancia is a resource recommended by La Liga de la Leche, España of Spain

Would you like to recommend the use of e-lactancia? Write to us at corporate mail of APILAM