Can You Take Magnesium Glycinate with Escitalopram?
Yes, you can safely take magnesium glycinate with escitalopram in a healthy adult with normal renal function and normal serum magnesium levels—there are no known clinically significant drug interactions between these two medications.
Safety Profile and Drug Interactions
No direct pharmacological interaction exists between magnesium supplements (including magnesium glycinate) and SSRIs like escitalopram based on available evidence 1.
Magnesium glycinate is generally well-tolerated and safe when used at appropriate doses in patients with normal kidney function 1, 2.
The primary safety concern with magnesium supplementation relates to renal excretion—since magnesium is eliminated by the kidneys, toxicity risk is minimal in patients with normal renal function 1, 2.
Dosing Considerations
Typical therapeutic doses for magnesium supplementation range from 125-300 mg of elemental magnesium with meals and at bedtime 3.
For constipation management (a common side effect of SSRIs), magnesium oxide at doses of 500 mg to 1.5 g daily has been studied, though magnesium glycinate has not been specifically evaluated in clinical trials 4.
The bioavailability and clinical efficacy of magnesium glycinate specifically (versus other formulations like oxide, citrate, or sulfate) has not been established in rigorous trials 4.
Monitoring Requirements
Baseline assessment should include serum magnesium and creatinine clearance before initiating supplementation 2.
In patients with normal renal function (creatinine clearance >20 mL/dL), routine monitoring is generally not required unless symptoms of magnesium imbalance develop 4.
Avoid magnesium supplementation entirely if creatinine clearance is <20 mL/dL due to hypermagnesemia risk 4.
Potential Benefits in Depression
Some evidence suggests magnesium deficiency may contribute to depressive symptoms, and supplementation (specifically magnesium glycinate and taurinate at 125-300 mg per dose) showed rapid improvement in case reports of major depression 3.
However, this does not replace standard antidepressant therapy with escitalopram—magnesium should be viewed as a potential adjunctive supplement, not a primary treatment 3.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not exceed recommended doses, as excessive magnesium intake can cause diarrhea, nausea, and in severe cases (particularly with renal impairment), life-threatening hypermagnesemia 1.
Ensure adequate renal function is confirmed before starting any magnesium supplementation 2.
Be aware that magnesium can cause gastrointestinal side effects (loose stools, diarrhea) which are dose-dependent—this may actually be beneficial if constipation is present from escitalopram 4.
If taking diuretics concurrently (loop or thiazide diuretics), magnesium supplementation may be particularly important as these medications increase urinary magnesium losses 4.