Toxic Side Effects of Magnesium

All chemicals and medicines have some side effects on the human body. However, what side effects may manifest in what person after the intake of what medicine cannot be completely defined or described, as it varies from constitution to constitution. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, magnesium intake has several health effects.

Common Health Problems

• Some patients may feel drowsy or even have some kind of heartburn while taking the medication magnesium salicylate or magnesium phenyltoloxamine. Some patients may even suffer from dryness in the mouth, nose or throat. There have been cases of thick mucus in the nose in people who have been taking excessive magnesium. Other patients have also complained of upset stomachs after the intake of magnesium salicylate or magnesium phenyltoloxamine. These side effects are not as serious and may even go away after a set period of time.

Serious Toxic Effects

• Some severe adverse effects of ingesting magnesium are hives and even rash. Some people may even face the more serious symptoms of having difficulty in breathing and tightness in the chest. Sometimes swelling of the mouth may occur, as well as decreased urination and diarrhea. Black and bloody stools are also considered to be adverse effects of magnesium. Sometimes patients may also report strange bruising and even bleeding.

  Some patients have also said that they get tired easily or unusually. Vomiting has also been found to be one of the adverse effects of taking magnesium as part of a medical regimen. These are the serious adverse effects, and it is recommended that the patient consults the doctor whenever he experiences such kinds of side effects.

Overdose of Magnesium

• Magnesium is also known to cause low blood pressure or nausea and cramps. Some patients have also described muscle weakness when they take magnesium on a medical basis. Also, if an overdose of magnesium occurs, it may cause an abnormal heart rhythm, which is irreversible. This condition can be fatal. Therefore, patients should be quite careful while taking magnesium.

  Magnesium is an ingredient in many medicines, such as multivitamins and antacids. It is used as a laxative and is available in the form of injections.

  Magnesium is also an ingredient in many common everyday foods, such as cocoa, spices and tea. However, because magnesium is used in such small quantities, it is well nigh impossible that a person will suffer from an overdose of magnesium solely from the food that she consumes every day.