Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral. Magnesium is important for many systems in the body, especially the muscles and nerves.

Magnesium gluconate is used as a supplement to maintain adequate magnesium in the body.

Magnesium gluconate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

To help your body to better absorb magnesium gluconate, take the medication with a meal or just after eating.

Take the magnesium gluconate tablet with a full glass of water.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Usual Adult Dose for Dietary Supplement:

500 to 1000 mg magnesium gluconate (27 to 54 mg elemental magnesium) orally once a day.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Dietary Supplement:

Recommended dietary intake (RDA) for magnesium:
Birth to 6 months: 30 mg (adequate intake)
7 to 12 months: 75 mg (adequate intake)
1 to 3 years: 80 mg
4 to 8 years: 130 mg
9 to 13 years: 240 mg
14 to 18 years, male: 410 mg
14 to 18 years, female: 360 mg


Tolerable upper intake level (UL) for supplemental magnesium:
1 to 3 years: 65 mg
4 to 8 years: 110 mg
9 to 18 years: 350 mg

Comments:
-Magnesium gluconate contains 5% elemental magnesium

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take magnesium gluconate if you have other medical conditions, especially:

• kidney disease; or

• if you have any allergies.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of magnesium can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include slowed breathing, loss of consciousness, or coma.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

A balanced diet usually provides enough magnesium. Sometimes supplements are necessary because of illness or medication use. Magnesium is found in a variety of foods, including green leafy vegetables, nuts, peas, beans, and cereal grains with the outer layers intact.

A high-fat diet may decrease the amount of magnesium you absorb from your diet. Over-cooking food also may decrease the amount of magnesium you absorb from your food. Follow the diet recommended by your doctor or dietitian. Ask if you are not sure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking an antacid, a laxative, or any vitamin or mineral supplement. Many such products contain magnesium. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of this mineral.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Magnesium gluconate may cause serious side effects. Stop using magnesium gluconate and call your doctor at once if you have:

• confusion, severe drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out;

• severe nausea or vomiting;

• muscle weakness; or

• slow heart rate.

Common side effects of magnesium gluconate may include:

• diarrhea;

• bloating gas; or

• upset stomach.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Magnesium gluconate can make it harder for your body to absorb other medicines you take by mouth. This can make certain medicines much less effective when taken at the same time. Ask your doctor about how long you should wait between doses of magnesium gluconate and any of the following medicines:

• antibiotics;

• medicine to treat Paget's disease of bone;

• osteoporosis medication; or

• thyroid medication.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use magnesium gluconate if you are also using any of the following drugs:

• cellulose sodium phosphate;

• digoxin; or

• sodium polystyrene sulfonate

These lists are not complete. Other drugs may interact with magnesium gluconate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to magnesium gluconate.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.