From the Guidelines
Magnesium supplementation for pain management should be initiated at the recommended daily allowance (350 mg daily for women; 420 mg daily for men) and increased gradually, according to tolerance, with a maximum dose of 600 to 6500 mg daily, as high doses have been shown to improve symptoms in some patients 1. When considering magnesium supplementation for pain management, it's essential to start with a low dose and gradually increase as needed, due to the possible occurrence of gastrointestinal tract intolerance, muscle weakness, flushing, hypotension, bradycardia, blurred vision, and cognitive effects associated with over-supplementation 1. Some key points to consider when using magnesium for pain management include:
- Liquid or dissolvable magnesium products are usually better tolerated than pills 1
- Magnesium may also be administered intravenously every 2 to 3 weeks at a dosage of 2 g infused during 2 hours, but the data describing the objective response to this regimen are limited 1
- It's crucial to monitor for potential side effects, such as diarrhea, which was reported in 2 patients when the dosage was increased 1
- Patients should be aware of the potential interactions with other medications, such as antibiotics, heart medications, or diuretics, and consult with a healthcare provider before starting magnesium supplements 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Active ingredient (in each 5 mL) Magnesium hydroxide 400 mg Each 30 mL contains: Magnesium Hydroxide 2400 mg The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Magnesium Dosage for Pain Relief
The optimal dosage of magnesium for pain relief is not clearly established, as the existing studies have used varying doses and have shown mixed results.
- A study published in 2021 2 reviewed 81 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of magnesium treatment for pain, but did not specify a recommended dosage.
- Another study from 2020 3 examined the efficacy and safety of magnesium for chronic pain management, but the included trials used different doses and routes of administration, making it difficult to determine an optimal dosage.
- A 2013 study 4 used a dosage of 300 mg/day of magnesium citrate to treat fibromyalgia symptoms, and found significant improvements in pain intensity and tender points.
- A 2022 study 5 used a dosage of 350 mg/day of magnesium supplementation for 10 days, and found significant reductions in muscle soreness and improvements in perceived recovery.
Key Findings
- The level of evidence for the efficacy of magnesium in reducing pain and analgesics consumption is modest, and more studies are needed to determine the optimal dosage and treatment regimen 2, 3.
- Magnesium citrate treatment has been shown to be effective in reducing pain intensity and tender points in patients with fibromyalgia, but the optimal dosage and treatment duration are unclear 4.
- Magnesium supplementation has been shown to reduce muscle soreness and improve perceived recovery, but the optimal dosage and treatment regimen are still being researched 5.