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Name: Magnesium Hydroxide

Pregnancy Category C

Drug classes

• Antacid
• Laxative

Mechanisms of action

• Antacid (magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide): neutralizes or reduces gastric acidity, resulting in an increase in the pH of the stomach and duodenal bulb and inhibition of the  proteolytic activity of pepsin.
• Laxative (magnesium citrate, magnesium hydroxide): attracts/retains water in intestinal lumen and distends bowel; causes the duodenal secretion of cholecystokinin, which stimulates fluid secretion and intestinal motility.

Indications

• Symptomatic relief of upset stomach associated with hyperacidity
• Hyperacidity associated with peptic ulcer, gastritis, peptic esophagitis, gastric hyperacidity, and hiatal hernia
• Prophylaxis of GI bleeding, stress ulcers, aspiration pneumonia
• Short-term relief of constipation; evacuation of the colon for rectal and bowel examination

Contraindications/cautions

• Contraindicated in the presence of allergy to magnesium products.
• Use caution in the presence of renal insufficiency.

Adverse effects

• CNS: Dizziness, fainting, sweating
• GI: Diarrhea, nausea, perianal irritation
• Metabolic: Hypermagnesemia and toxicity in renal failure patients

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