Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsToo Much MagnesiumMagnesium SourcesWho Is at Risk?Seeking Medical CareTreatmentWhy People Take It
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Too Much Magnesium
Magnesium Sources
Who Is at Risk?
Seeking Medical Care
Treatment
Why People Take It
Taking too many magnesium supplements or magnesium-containing medications can result in a magnesium overdose or toxicity. A magnesium overdose, which results from high levels of magnesium in the blood, is calledhypermagnesemia.
Magnesiumis a vital mineral that aids in muscle and nerve function and energy production.It also helps to keep bones strong and has a role in regulating blood sugar and blood pressure. Most people can get all the magnesium they need from their diet, while others take magnesium supplements to meet their daily requirements.
Symptoms of too much magnesium in the body are gastrointestinal troubles, muscle weakness, headache,low blood pressure (hypotension), andfacial flushing. Untreated hypermagnesemia can lead to severe symptoms, and extremely high levels of magnesium can be fatal for some people.
Magnesium overdose or toxicity is rare in most healthy people but can occur in people taking magnesium supplements or those with impaired kidney function.Somelaxativeandantacidmedications contain high amounts of magnesium and should not be taken in high doses or for long periods.
This article will cover the symptoms of too much magnesium, sources of magnesium, toxic levels, treatment for overdose, and more.
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Symptoms of Too Much Magnesium
The symptoms of hypermagnesemia typically won’t be felt until magnesium levels are incredibly high. When there are signs or symptoms, they may include:
More severe signs and symptoms of hypermagnesemia include:
How Much Magnesium Is Too Much?
People do not get too much magnesium through diet alone because the kidneys excrete excess magnesium into the urine.However, if taking magnesium supplements or medications that contain magnesium, it is possible to take too much and have health consequences.
The tolerable upper intake levels for magnesium from supplements or medications are:
These levels are the same for people of all sexes, including those who are pregnant or lactating (breastfeeding). Exceeding these levels may result in diarrhea, cramping, and nausea.These levels do not include magnesium from dietary sources, only magnesium from supplements or medications.
Sources of Magnesium
Most people can get all the magnesium they need from their diet, while others take magnesium supplements to meet their daily requirements.
It is not possible to get a magnesium overdose from diet alone.This is because the kidneys will eliminate any excess amounts during urination.
Supplements and Medications
Magnesium supplements come in various forms, including
Magnesium is also found in over-the-counter (OTC) medications, especially laxatives and antacids. These include:
Do Not Exceed Recommended DosagesIf you take supplements or OTC medications, follow the product’s labeling or your healthcare provider’s instructions. Do not take more than the recommended daily amounts.
Do Not Exceed Recommended Dosages
If you take supplements or OTC medications, follow the product’s labeling or your healthcare provider’s instructions. Do not take more than the recommended daily amounts.
Who Is More at Risk of Toxic Levels of Magnesium?
Magnesium toxicity is rare because your kidneys help rid the body of excess magnesium. An overdose might occur in someone withpoor kidney function, especially if they take medications that contain high levels of magnesium or are taking supplements.
Toxic levels may occur in people who have been taking high doses of magnesium supplements for long periods.Risks are also higher for people with heart problems or gastrointestinal diseases.
A pregnant person who is being treated forpreeclampsia(high blood pressure in pregnancy) is at risk for hypermagnesemia if they have been prescribed a high dose to prevent seizures. But this is rare because the magnesium is prescribed for a short period, usually less than 24 hours.A healthcare provider will also monitor you for signs of toxicity during treatment.
People who take laxatives and antacids for extended periods may have an increased risk for hypermagnesemia. Lower amounts and doses of these medicines are generally not dangerous, and the body will usually flush them out with urination and bowel movements.
However, larger doses of laxatives and antacids (more than 5,000 mg per day) can lead to magnesium toxicity.Accidental poisonings can occur when a child or adult ingests too much of these products. While rare, such excessive amounts of magnesium in the body could be fatal.
When to Seek Medical Help
If you think you or someone else might be experiencing symptoms of a magnesium overdose, seek medical attention. This is especially important if you have been taking high doses of magnesium supplements, have a kidney disorder, or have another chronic disease.
How a Magnesium Overdose Is Treated
The first treatment for magnesium toxicity is to stop taking supplements or medicines containing magnesium. Magnesium levels can decrease within a day or two after supplements or magnesium-containing medicines have been stopped.With lower levels, symptoms should improve.
A person with severe hypermagnesemia is often treated withcalcium gluconatewith an intravenous (IV) drip (through a vein in the arm) to block any toxic effects of the magnesium.
If you have a kidney disorder, your kidneys cannot process magnesium efficiently.In this case, severe hypermagnesemia will need to be treated withdialysisto clear the magnesium.
What Is Kidney Dialysis?Kidney dialysis is a process of removing excess water and toxins from the kidneys. It uses a filtering machine that removes waste and fluid from the blood and then returns the filtered blood back to the body.
What Is Kidney Dialysis?
Kidney dialysis is a process of removing excess water and toxins from the kidneys. It uses a filtering machine that removes waste and fluid from the blood and then returns the filtered blood back to the body.
Why Do People Take Magnesium?
You can take magnesium supplements to meet your daily magnesium requirements. A healthcare provider might prescribe supplements if you have amagnesium deficiency.
You should talk to your healthcare provider before starting a supplement. They can assess yourblood magnesium levelsand advise you whether it is safe to take supplements based on your unique health situation.
Research shows that around half of Americans do not get enough magnesium in their diets.This can lead to uncomfortable symptoms and severe health problems.
Fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle cramps, weakness, and stiffness are early signs of low magnesium levels, or a magnesium deficiency, but these symptoms can worsen if not treated.Severe symptoms of a deficiency includeabnormal heart rhythmsandseizures.
The Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health recommends the following dietary allowances for magnesium for adults:
Magnesium recommendations for children are much lower, as follows:
A Note on Sex and Gender TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Sex and Gender Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
People sometimes take magnesium supplements to address specific health concerns, such asmigraine,bone and joint health, high blood pressure, andtype 2 diabetes.
It is important to check with a healthcare provider to see whether these supplements are recommended for you and what level will be safe to take. Also, magnesium might interact with medications, including bisphosphonates (used to treat osteoporosis) and antibiotics, reducing the absorption of these medications.
A Word From VerywellMagnesium is a key electrolyte, but that doesn’t mean everyone needs a supplement. A registered dietitian can work with you to create an eating pattern that contains enough magnesium. If you are considering a magnesium supplement, chat with your doctor first.—ELIZABETH BARNES, RDN, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Magnesium is a key electrolyte, but that doesn’t mean everyone needs a supplement. A registered dietitian can work with you to create an eating pattern that contains enough magnesium. If you are considering a magnesium supplement, chat with your doctor first.—ELIZABETH BARNES, RDN, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Magnesium is a key electrolyte, but that doesn’t mean everyone needs a supplement. A registered dietitian can work with you to create an eating pattern that contains enough magnesium. If you are considering a magnesium supplement, chat with your doctor first.
—ELIZABETH BARNES, RDN, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Summary
Magnesium is a vital element for your overall health and well-being. But too much of it could lead to health problems, including digestive troubles, low blood pressure, and an irregular heartbeat.
Magnesium toxicity and overdose are rare. However, some people have a higher risk, including people with impaired kidney function and those taking high-dose magnesium supplements or magnesium-containing medications (such as antacids or laxatives) for long periods. You cannot overdose on magnesium from diet.
Severe hypermagnesemia could be fatal in someone with a kidney disorder. However, early treatment can improve outcomes. Treatment includes stopping supplements, intravenous calcium gluconate, diuretics, and dialysis in people with impaired kidney function.
If you are taking magnesium supplements and suspect you are experiencing magnesium toxicity, you should seek medical help immediately. You should not start magnesium supplements without first talking to your healthcare provider.
You can get magnesium from your diet. Supplements might help you meet your daily recommended amounts or correct a magnesium deficiency.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium – consumer.Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium—fact sheet for health professionals.Mercy Health.Hypermagnesemia.Al Alawi AM, Majoni SW, Falhammar H.Magnesium and human health: Perspectives and research directions.Int J Endocrinol. 2018;2018:9041694. doi:10.1155/2018/9041694MedlinePlus.Magnesium hydroxide.Mylanta.Mylanta products ingredients and dosage.Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Magnesium.Vigil-De Gracia P, Ramirez R, Durán Y, Quintero A.Magnesium sulfate for 6 vs 24 hours post delivery in patients who received magnesium sulfate for less than 8 hours before birth: A randomized clinical trial.BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2017;17(1):241. doi:10.1186/s12884-017-1424-3UpToDate.Hypermagnesemia: Causes, symptoms, and treatment.Razzaque MS.Magnesium: Are we consuming enough?Nutrients. 2018;10(12):1863. doi:10.3390/nu10121863
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium – consumer.Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium—fact sheet for health professionals.Mercy Health.Hypermagnesemia.Al Alawi AM, Majoni SW, Falhammar H.Magnesium and human health: Perspectives and research directions.Int J Endocrinol. 2018;2018:9041694. doi:10.1155/2018/9041694MedlinePlus.Magnesium hydroxide.Mylanta.Mylanta products ingredients and dosage.Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Magnesium.Vigil-De Gracia P, Ramirez R, Durán Y, Quintero A.Magnesium sulfate for 6 vs 24 hours post delivery in patients who received magnesium sulfate for less than 8 hours before birth: A randomized clinical trial.BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2017;17(1):241. doi:10.1186/s12884-017-1424-3UpToDate.Hypermagnesemia: Causes, symptoms, and treatment.Razzaque MS.Magnesium: Are we consuming enough?Nutrients. 2018;10(12):1863. doi:10.3390/nu10121863
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium – consumer.Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium—fact sheet for health professionals.Mercy Health.Hypermagnesemia.Al Alawi AM, Majoni SW, Falhammar H.Magnesium and human health: Perspectives and research directions.Int J Endocrinol. 2018;2018:9041694. doi:10.1155/2018/9041694MedlinePlus.Magnesium hydroxide.Mylanta.Mylanta products ingredients and dosage.Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Magnesium.Vigil-De Gracia P, Ramirez R, Durán Y, Quintero A.Magnesium sulfate for 6 vs 24 hours post delivery in patients who received magnesium sulfate for less than 8 hours before birth: A randomized clinical trial.BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2017;17(1):241. doi:10.1186/s12884-017-1424-3UpToDate.Hypermagnesemia: Causes, symptoms, and treatment.Razzaque MS.Magnesium: Are we consuming enough?Nutrients. 2018;10(12):1863. doi:10.3390/nu10121863
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Office of Dietary Supplements.Magnesium—fact sheet for health professionals.
Mercy Health.Hypermagnesemia.
Al Alawi AM, Majoni SW, Falhammar H.Magnesium and human health: Perspectives and research directions.Int J Endocrinol. 2018;2018:9041694. doi:10.1155/2018/9041694
MedlinePlus.Magnesium hydroxide.
Mylanta.Mylanta products ingredients and dosage.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Magnesium.
Vigil-De Gracia P, Ramirez R, Durán Y, Quintero A.Magnesium sulfate for 6 vs 24 hours post delivery in patients who received magnesium sulfate for less than 8 hours before birth: A randomized clinical trial.BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2017;17(1):241. doi:10.1186/s12884-017-1424-3
UpToDate.Hypermagnesemia: Causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Razzaque MS.Magnesium: Are we consuming enough?Nutrients. 2018;10(12):1863. doi:10.3390/nu10121863
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