What can I dissolve a magnesium oxide (MgO) tablet in if it doesn't dissolve in water?

How to Dissolve Magnesium Oxide Tablets That Don't Dissolve in Water

Magnesium oxide tablets can be dissolved in acidic solutions such as diluted lemon juice or vinegar, as these create an environment similar to stomach acid that facilitates dissolution. 1

Understanding Why Magnesium Oxide Tablets Don't Dissolve in Water

Magnesium oxide tablets are designed to dissolve in the acidic environment of the stomach (pH 1.2) rather than in neutral water. This is because:

• MgO has limited solubility in water but dissolves well in acidic environments 1
• Different commercial MgO tablets show markedly different dissolution behaviors even in acidic solutions 1
• The particle size of MgO in the tablet significantly affects dissolution rate (larger particles dissolve more slowly) 1

Effective Solutions for Dissolving Magnesium Oxide Tablets

Best Options (In Order of Effectiveness):

1. Acidic Solutions:

   • Diluted lemon juice (1 tablespoon in 4 oz water)
   • Diluted vinegar (1 tablespoon in 4 oz water)
   • Orange juice or other acidic fruit juices

2. Crushing the Tablet:

   • Crush the tablet into a fine powder before adding to liquid
   • Mix with a small amount of acidic liquid first, then dilute if needed

3. Warm Water with Stirring:

   • Use warm (not hot) water around 50-60°C
   • Stir continuously to facilitate dissolution 2
   • Do not shake vigorously as this may cause clumping

Important Cautions

• Avoid Food Thickening Agents: Research shows that magnesium oxide tablets immersed in food thickening agents for more than 1 minute experience significant disintegration delays or complete non-disintegration 3, 4

• Avoid Sustained/Delayed-Release Medications: If you're taking other medications, be aware that sustained or delayed-release formulations should be avoided when you have absorption issues 2

• Storage Considerations: Moisture absorption by magnesium oxide tablets can significantly delay their disintegration, so keep them in a dry environment 3

When to Seek Alternative Formulations

If dissolution remains problematic despite these approaches, consider:

1. Requesting liquid magnesium formulations from your healthcare provider
2. Switching to more soluble magnesium salts (magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate)
3. Consulting with a pharmacist about alternative magnesium supplements that may be more suitable for your needs

Monitoring Effectiveness

When taking magnesium supplements, be aware of signs that indicate whether you're absorbing the medication properly:

• Relief of symptoms of magnesium deficiency (if applicable)
• Improvement in related conditions like constipation (if MgO is being used as a laxative)
• Absence of gastrointestinal side effects that might indicate poor dissolution

Remember that proper dissolution is essential for the medication to exert its therapeutic effect, whether being used for magnesium supplementation or as a laxative.