On this episode, I discuss magnesium pharmacology and the clinical applications. Magnesium plays numerous important functions in the body and you may see patients take these supplements under the direction of a healthcare professional and sometimes on their own.



It is very important to remember that magnesium can cause GI upset and diarrhea. This is often overlooked in our polypharmacy patient.



Magnesium can accumulate in renal disease. This is important to remember especially in patients who have a tendency to take a lot of supplements without discussing them with a healthcare professional.



PPI's are a notorious cause of low magnesium. Loop diuretics can increase magnesium excretion and also cause low magnesium levels.



Magnesium can bind up numerous drugs reducing concentrations and leading to treatment failure. A few examples include quinolone antibiotics, tetracycline antibiotics, and levothyroxine.