Drug & supplement interaction

Magnesium + Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide

Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide brand name: Ascriptin Codeine #2.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide falls into 2 drug categories that Magnesium can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Use of acid reducers may reduce the laxative effect of magnesium oxide.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Magnesium and Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide

These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Magnesium interacts with whole categories of medication. Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Magnesium in 2 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

ANTACIDS

1 of 2

Why this applies to Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide

Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide falls under ANTACIDS — the group Magnesium interacts with.

Use of acid reducers may reduce the laxative effect of magnesium oxide.
A retrospective analysis shows that, in the presence of H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a higher dose of magnesium oxide is needed for a laxative effect. This may also occur with antacids. Under acidic conditions, magnesium oxide is converted to magnesium chloride and then to magnesium bicarbonate, which has an osmotic laxative effect. By reducing acidity, antacids may reduce the conversion of magnesium oxide to the active bicarbonate salt.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's a small wrinkle worth knowing. Your combo product (Ascriptin Codeine) contains antacids, namely aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. If you also take a magnesium oxide supplement hoping it will help keep you regular, those antacids may blunt that laxative effect. Magnesium oxide needs stomach acid to convert into the form that draws water into the gut. Since antacids reduce acid, less of it gets turned into the active laxative salt, so you may notice less of a bowel-moving push.

This is based on weak, anecdotal evidence, so don't be alarmed. It mostly matters if you're relying on magnesium for constipation, which is also a known side effect of the codeine in this product. If things feel backed up, check with your pharmacist before adjusting anything.

References
  1. Yamasaki M, Funakoshi S, Matsuda S, Imazu T, Takeda Y, Murakami T, Maeda Y. Interaction of magnesium oxide with gastric acid secretion inhibitors in clinical pharmacotherapy. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2014;70(8):921-4. PubMed
Minor

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS

2 of 2

Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide also falls under ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS.

Theoretically, magnesium may have antiplatelet effects, but the evidence is conflicting.
In vitro evidence shows that magnesium sulfate inhibits platelet aggregation, even at low concentrations. Some preliminary clinical evidence shows that infusion of magnesium sulfate increases bleeding time by 48% and reduces platelet activity. However, other clinical research shows that magnesium does not affect platelet aggregation, although inhibition of platelet-dependent thrombosis can occur.
Severity Minor Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B

Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

This combination product already contains aspirin, which thins the blood a bit by quieting your platelets (the cells that help form clots). Magnesium might nudge platelets in the same direction, so in theory adding a magnesium supplement could slightly add to aspirin's blood-thinning effect. In real life, the evidence is mixed and weak, and any added effect is expected to be small and unlikely for most people.

What that could look like, if anything, is a bit more bruising, longer bleeding from small cuts, or nosebleeds. Interestingly, this product also has magnesium hydroxide as an antacid, so you are already getting some magnesium. If you take blood thinners, have an upcoming procedure, or notice unusual bleeding, check with your pharmacist or doctor before adding a magnesium supplement.

References
  1. Ravn HB, Vissinger H, Kristensen SD, et al. Magnesium inhibits platelet activity--an in vitro study. Thromb Haemost. 1996;76(1):88-93. DOI
  2. Ravn HB, Kristensen SD, Vissinger H, et al. Magnesium inhibits human platelets. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 1996;7(2):241-4. PubMed
  3. Ravn HB, Vissinger H, Kristensen SD, et al. Magnesium inhibits platelet activity--an infusion study in healthy volunteers. Thromb Haemost. 1996;75(6):939-44. DOI
  4. Shechter, M., Merz, C. N., Paul-Labrador, M., Meisel, S. R., Rude, R. K., Molloy, M. D., Dwyer, J. H., Shah, P. K., and Kaul, S. Beneficial antithrombotic effects of the association of pharmacological oral magnesium therapy with aspirin in coronary heart

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Magnesium Also Interacts With Other Medications

Magnesium has 6 major, 174 moderate, 114 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Magnesium

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Magnesium. Pick one to open its full report.

From our Q&A

Questions About Magnesium or Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Magnesium or Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide

This page covers Magnesium only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide page lists 339 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: 1,4-butanediol (major), Activated Charcoal (major), Asarabacca (major), Beer (major) and Danshen (major).

By severity: 11 major · 286 moderate · 42 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide page

“A person taking Ascriptin Codeine #2 for pain is getting aspirin, codeine, and two antacids in a single tablet, and the 339 supplement interactions on file deserve real attention before adding anything alongside it. Most of the list splits two ways.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Magnesium as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 29,717 real supplement products containing Magnesium, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Magnesium. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide too, on top of Magnesium — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Magnesium and Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Magnesium
Top 10

#4 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide
Steady interest

#1,537 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Magnesium

What is Magnesium?

Magnesium
  • Preventing or treating magnesium deficiency
  • Constipation
  • Muscle cramps
  • Sleep support
  • Anxiety and stress
  • Migraine prevention

Magnesium is an essential mineral your body needs for muscles, nerves, blood pressure, and many other functions, and supplements are useful for preventing or correcting deficiency. Some other uses, like easing constipation or preventing migraines, have reasonable support, while uses for sleep and anxiety are less proven. It is generally safe for most healthy people at recommended amounts, but talk to your pharmacist or doctor before starting, especially if you have kidney problems.

Read the full Magnesium monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Magnesium

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Magnesium — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

6Major
174Moderate
114Minor
2,535No known interaction
Major

6 interactions

Moderate

174 interactions

Showing 60 of 174 moderate interactions — see all 174 on the Magnesium page.

Minor

114 interactions

Showing 60 of 114 minor interactions — see all 114 on the Magnesium page.

No interaction 2,535 drugs checked — show the list
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Magnesium and Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide Together: Common Questions

Can you take Magnesium with Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 2 interactions listed for Magnesium and Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide?
Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide belongs to more than one drug category, and Magnesium interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Magnesium and Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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