What is the recommended daily dose of magnesium citrate?

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Last updated: September 14, 2025View editorial policy

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Recommended Dosage of Magnesium Citrate

For adults, the recommended daily dose of magnesium citrate is 6.5 to 10 fluid ounces (maximum 10 fluid ounces in 24 hours) as indicated on the FDA drug label. 1

Dosage Guidelines by Age Group

  • Adults and children 12+ years: 6.5 to 10 fl oz, maximum 10 fl oz in 24 hours
  • Children 6 to under 12 years: 3 to 7 fl oz, maximum 7 fl oz in 24 hours
  • Children 2 to under 6 years: 2 to 3 fl oz, maximum 3 fl oz in 24 hours
  • Children under 2 years: Consult a doctor 1

Administration Instructions

  • Shake well before using
  • Drink a full glass (8 ounces) of liquid with each dose
  • May be taken as a single daily dose or in divided doses 1

Therapeutic Context

Magnesium citrate serves different purposes depending on the clinical context:

  1. For constipation:

    • Used as an osmotic laxative
    • Typically administered as a single dose of 6.5-10 fl oz
    • Acts locally in the colon by retaining fluids 2, 3
  2. For daily supplementation:

    • Recommended daily allowance: 350 mg for women and 420 mg for men
    • Therapeutic range for treating hypomagnesemia: 500 mg to 1 g daily 4

Monitoring and Safety Considerations

  • Before starting: Check baseline serum magnesium, potassium, and renal function 4
  • Follow-up monitoring: Check serum magnesium levels 1-2 weeks after initiation
  • Long-term monitoring: Periodic checks every 3-6 months for those on long-term supplementation 4

Important Precautions

  • Renal impairment: Use with caution due to risk of hypermagnesemia 4
  • Side effects: Primarily gastrointestinal, including diarrhea (dose-dependent) 4
  • Upper limit concern: At maximum proposed use levels, magnesium citrate can exceed the tolerable upper intake level for supplemental magnesium (250 mg/day) 5

Special Populations

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women: Should consult healthcare providers before use 4
  • Patients on medications: Check for potential interactions with magnesium supplements 4
  • Elderly patients: May require additional electrolyte monitoring due to potential dehydrating effects 3

Magnesium citrate is available as a powder that dissolves in water and acts both as a stimulant laxative and an osmotic laxative when used for bowel preparation 3. When used as a supplement, it has been shown to effectively increase urinary magnesium levels 6.

Human Wrote: How much magnesium citrate to drink (reply in the same language as this question & follow any additional instructions.)

AI Wrote: # Recommended Dosage of Magnesium Citrate

For adults, the recommended daily dose of magnesium citrate is 6.5 to 10 fluid ounces (maximum 10 fluid ounces in 24 hours) as indicated on the FDA drug label. 1

Dosage Guidelines by Age Group

  • Adults and children 12+ years: 6.5 to 10 fl oz, maximum 10 fl oz in 24 hours
  • Children 6 to under 12 years: 3 to 7 fl oz, maximum 7 fl oz in 24 hours
  • Children 2 to under 6 years: 2 to 3 fl oz, maximum 3 fl oz in 24 hours
  • Children under 2 years: Consult a doctor 1

Administration Instructions

  • Shake well before using
  • Drink a full glass (8 ounces) of liquid with each dose
  • May be taken as a single daily dose or in divided doses 1

Therapeutic Context

Magnesium citrate serves different purposes depending on the clinical context:

  1. For constipation:

    • Used as an osmotic laxative
    • Typically administered as a single dose of 6.5-10 fl oz
    • Acts locally in the colon by retaining fluids 2, 3
  2. For daily supplementation:

    • Recommended daily allowance: 350 mg for women and 420 mg for men
    • Therapeutic range for treating hypomagnesemia: 500 mg to 1 g daily 4

Monitoring and Safety Considerations

  • Before starting: Check baseline serum magnesium, potassium, and renal function 4
  • Follow-up monitoring: Check serum magnesium levels 1-2 weeks after initiation
  • Long-term monitoring: Periodic checks every 3-6 months for those on long-term supplementation 4

Important Precautions

  • Renal impairment: Use with caution due to risk of hypermagnesemia 4
  • Side effects: Primarily gastrointestinal, including diarrhea (dose-dependent) 4
  • Upper limit concern: At maximum proposed use levels, magnesium citrate can exceed the tolerable upper intake level for supplemental magnesium (250 mg/day) 5

Special Populations

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women: Should consult healthcare providers before use 4
  • Patients on medications: Check for potential interactions with magnesium supplements 4
  • Elderly patients: May require additional electrolyte monitoring due to potential dehydrating effects 3

Magnesium citrate is available as a powder that dissolves in water and acts both as a stimulant laxative and an osmotic laxative when used for bowel preparation 3. When used as a supplement, it has been shown to effectively increase urinary magnesium levels 6.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

Magnesium Supplementation

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Research

Magnesium Supplementation Increases Urine Magnesium and Citrate in Stone Formers With Hypomagnesuria.

Journal of renal nutrition : the official journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation, 2025

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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