Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)

What is it?

Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral, and is essential for the diet. It is an odorless, white powder. It is important for many systems in the body, especially the muscles and nerves. Magnesium is present in fruits, vegetables, grains, milk, meat and fish and the natural content of these foods is the major source of the current dietary intake. Magnesium trisilicate (Mg2O8Si3) is used in preparations as an antacid for heartburn to lessen stomach acid. It is a compound of magnesium oxide and silicon dioxide with varying proportions of water; occurs in nature as meerschaum, pararepiolite, and repiolite; used as a gastric antacid.^[1]