Magnesium Supplements and Taste Changes
Magnesium supplements do not typically cause taste changes as a direct side effect, though gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal distension are common. The evidence does not identify taste alterations as a recognized adverse effect of magnesium supplementation, even in patients with GERD or IBS.
Common Side Effects of Magnesium Supplementation
The documented adverse effects of magnesium supplementation are primarily gastrointestinal:
- Diarrhea, abdominal distension, and gastrointestinal intolerance are the most frequently reported side effects 1
- In a study of oral magnesium supplementation for cisplatin-induced hypomagnesemia, only 2 patients developed mild gastrointestinal symptoms (emesis and diarrhea), with no reports of taste changes 2
- A large prospective study of 4,343 GERD patients treated with pantoprazole magnesium showed only 3.48% experienced any adverse events, with no specific mention of taste alterations 3
Considerations for Patients with GERD or IBS
Patients with GERD or IBS can safely use magnesium supplements without increased risk of taste changes, though their underlying gastrointestinal conditions may affect tolerability:
- Up to 79% of IBS patients report GERD symptoms, and up to 71% of GERD patients report IBS symptoms, representing significant overlap 4
- GERD patients with concurrent IBS-like symptoms perceive their reflux symptoms as more severe and respond less favorably to treatment 5
- Liquid or dissolvable magnesium formulations are better tolerated than pills, which may be particularly relevant for patients with existing GI sensitivity 1
Critical Safety Precautions
Avoid magnesium supplementation entirely in patients with creatinine clearance <20 mL/min due to life-threatening hypermagnesemia risk 1
- Check renal function before initiating any magnesium supplementation 1
- Start at the recommended daily allowance (320 mg for women, 420 mg for men) and increase gradually based on tolerance 1
- Monitor for gastrointestinal side effects, which may require dose reduction 1
Medications That Actually Cause Taste Changes
While magnesium does not cause taste alterations, many other medications do affect taste and smell through various mechanisms including blocking ion channels, inhibiting enzymes, or causing candidal overgrowth 6. If a patient reports taste changes while taking magnesium, consider other concurrent medications or the underlying medical condition itself as the more likely culprit 6.