In 86% of patients with dysmenorrhea, high-dose magnesium led to a considerable improvement in a study by Willimzig C., Pannewig K., documented in   Der Allgemeinarzt 18, 1466-1471 (1994).

Patients with very severe, severe, and slight clinical symptoms of dysmenorrhea were documented as showing strong modifications in their symptoms and even complete modification to 0, zero, symptoms of dysmenorrhea.

  Influence of oral magnesium replacement therapy on calf cramps during pregnancy was equally significant in a study by Dahle, Lars O. et al. documented in Am. J. Obstet Gynaecol., 175 - 180 (1995).

  Effect of high dose magnesium on premature labour was studied by Willimzig C., Pannewig K.,  and documented in Der Allegemeinarzt 18, 1466 - 1471 (1994).

Again, patients with very severe, severe, and slight clinical symptoms of premature labour  were documented as showing strong modifications in their symptoms and even complete modification to 0, zero, symptoms of premature labour.

Possible medicine for migraine prophylaxis

The recommendations of the Deutsche Migrane- und Kopfschmerzgesellschaft (DMKG; German Migraine and Headache Society) regarding medicines for migraine prophylaxis (Source: Diener) Forschung und Praxis 233 (1997) 25.

Magnesium  600 mg  was reported to be used  with no contraindications and, depending on the formula, occasional diarrhea as side effect.

***Patients, speak with your physician before beginning any therapy. Some individuals, such as patients with kidney and liver disorders, are at risk if self medication is implemented.

Magnesium Compounds

Magnesium occurs both as inorganic anions and as organic anions.

              Inorganic salts            Organic salts      

                   Mg oxide                             Mg citrate

                   Mg carbonate                      Mg aspartate

                   Mg chloride                          Mg glutamate

                   Mg sulphate                         Mg adipate

                   Mg phosphate                     Mg orotate

                                                                 Mg Lysinate

                                                                 Mg Taurate

                                                                 Mg Glycinate

                                                                 Mg Lactate

The inorganic salts are often used orally not only for the classical magnesium indications but especially as antacids or laxatives. In addition, however, magnesium oxide for example has the advantage that, due to its low molecular weight, presentations for swallowing can be manufactured in an acceptable size with an adequately high magnesium concentration.

 Organic salts such as magnesium citrate, are preferable since they can be metabolized in a physiological way.

The Selection Criteria

The major requirements of an oral magnesium preparation have been summarized in a publication by Volger and Mutschler (DAZ 1991, p. 592 et seq.).

 A decisive factor for successful medication is, for example, compliance.  Magnesium is often taken for long periods.               

 Equally important is good absorption.

Interactions Of Magnesium

  Inhibits the absorption of:  iron, tetracyclines, sodium fluoride

    Enhances the actions of: Muscle relaxants of the: tubocurarine type, barbiturates, hypnotics and narcotics

   Protects the kidneys: during treatment with aminoglycoside antibiotics, cyclosporin and cisplatin

   Impairs the absorption of: isoniazid, chlorpromazine, trimethoprim and          nitrofurantoin

Due to possible absorption problems, iron, tetracyclines and sodium flouride  should always be given at an interval of about 2-3 hours from magnesium intake.

Similarly, it is also advisable to keep the same interval between magnesium-containing antacids and medicines containing the active substances isoniazid, chlorpromazine, trimethoprim or nitrofurantoin.

Care must be taken with the doses in the event of the concomitant administration of magnesium with muscle relaxants of the tubocurarine type or with barbiturates, hypnotics, and narcotics.

Additional magnesium intake is recommended during administration of diuretics and cardiac glycosides.

Magnesium should also be generally prescribed in association with aminoglycoside antibiotics, cyclosporin and cisplatin in order to reduce their nephrotoxicity.

Contraindications To Magnesium Therapy

1. Kidney failure (creatinine > 4 mg/dl)

2. Myasthenia gravis        ..        with parenteral administration

3. Bradycardia                                                "

4. AV blockade                                               "

5. Ileus

6. Dehydration

  Minerals may be generally hazardous in the case of kidney failure - medical supervision is essential.

  It is easy to understand from the pharmacological point of view why patients with disorders of stimulus conduction in the heart (AV block) should not take magnesium.

  There are additional contraindications to parenteral administration (see above).

  Also understandable: due to its effects on metabolism, magnesium is taboo for patients with intestinal blockage (ileus) and dehydration (exsiccosis).

Hypermagnesaemia

Like virtually everything:

•  Too much is unhealthy.

In cardiology and gynaecology, serum values up to 3.5 mmol per litre are consciously striven for in order to achieve specific therapeutic effects. Serum values over 5 mmol per litre are, however, not therapeutically sensible and are actually dangerous.

The technical information in this web site is not intended to recommend treatment or make specific diagnosis based on such data. It is intended for professional informational purposes, (from current medical literature), to assist practitioners in choosing appropriate protocols and modalities. Decisions on patient care should be based on all laboratory tests, health histories and clinical evaluations.

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