Summary: 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.<br> <br> <br> <br> It is very important to remember that magnesium can cause GI upset and diarrhea. This is often overlooked in our polypharmacy patient.<br> <br> <br> <br> 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.<br> <br> <br> <br> PPI's are a notorious cause of low magnesium. Loop diuretics can increase magnesium excretion and also cause low magnesium levels.<br> <br> <br> <br> Magnesium can bind up numerous drugs reducing concentrations and leading to treatment failure. A few examples include quinolone antibiotics, tetracycline antibiotics, and levothyroxine.
