FDA-filed SPL labeling · retrieved through openFDA

Magnesium Citrate

Magnesium citrate is a saline laxative used to relieve occasional constipation.

Brand names citromaEZ2G0 StimulaxGadavytPenPrepOneLAX Saline Laxative +11 more
Drug class ⓘ Calculi Dissolution Agent
OTC Forms 2 Routes Oral · Topical
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 58 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

At a glance
Linked label effectiveApr 1, 2026
Clinical labels in scope ⓘ58
AvailabilityOTC
Earliest approval/marketing year ⓘ2008
FDA-listed product records ⓘ218
Boxed warningNone found in compared labels
How we combine label and product data →
✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Sep 19, 2026 🚨Recall on record · 3
⭐ Magnesium Citrate at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
💊
HelloPharmacist Editorial Team Bottom Line
Magnesium citrate is a reliable, short-term option for relieving occasional constipation — it typically works within half an hour to 6 hours. It's not meant for long-term daily use, and people with kidney disease or those on other medications should check with a doctor or pharmacist first. Stop use and seek medical attention if you notice rectal bleeding or don't have a bowel movement after taking it.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →

📖 Magnesium Citrate: Patient Information Guide

A plain-language walkthrough of Magnesium Citrate — what it treats, how it works, how it’s taken, side effects, warnings and interactions. Tap any section to expand it.

🎯What it's used for▾

Magnesium citrate is a saline laxative used to relieve occasional constipation. All supported products share this indication:

  • Relief of occasional constipation (irregularity) — supported by Citroma, Leader, Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Cherry Flavor, Grape Flavor, and Lemon Flavor oral solutions, as well as EZ2Go Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Lemon Flavor.
  • Generally produces a bowel movement within ½ to 6 hours of use.
💊How it's taken▾

Magnesium citrate oral solution is taken by mouth. Always shake the bottle well before pouring your dose, and drink a full 8-ounce glass of water or another liquid with it. Your dose can be taken all at once or split into smaller amounts during the day.

  • Citroma and Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative products: shake well before use; drink a full glass of liquid with each dose; may be taken as one daily dose or divided doses.
  • EZ2Go Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Lemon Flavor: same shaking and liquid guidance applies.
  • Do not use for longer than 1 week unless your doctor tells you to. For children under 2 years old, always ask a doctor first.
🤒Side effects — in detail▾

The FDA labels for magnesium citrate products do not list specific common side effects.

  • Rectal bleeding after use — stop use and call a doctor right away.
  • No bowel movement after using the product — stop use and contact a doctor, as this may signal a more serious condition.
⚠️Warnings & precautions▾
  • Kidney disease: Magnesium is processed by the kidneys. If you have kidney disease, ask your doctor before using this product.
  • Magnesium-restricted diet: Check with your doctor first if you have been told to limit magnesium.
  • Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting: Don't use this product without talking to your doctor if you have these symptoms.
  • Unexplained change in bowel habits: If your bowel habits have suddenly changed and stayed that way for 2 weeks or more, see a doctor before using a laxative.
  • Prolonged laxative use: If you've already been using a laxative for more than 1 week, ask your doctor before continuing.
  • Serious warning signs: Stop use and call a doctor right away if you notice rectal bleeding or don't have a bowel movement after using this product — these can be signs of a serious condition.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Ask a health professional before use.
  • Overdose: Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, call a Poison Control Center or get medical help immediately.
🔀What it interacts with▾

Magnesium citrate can affect how other medications are absorbed into your body. To reduce this risk:

  • All other medications: Take magnesium citrate at least 2 hours before or after any other drug — laxatives can change how well your other medicines work.
  • Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using if you take any prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

This is not a complete list of interactions. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

📋Before taking it▾
  • People with kidney disease should ask a doctor before use.
  • Anyone on a magnesium-restricted diet should check with a doctor first.
  • Do not use without a doctor's guidance if you have abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting.
  • See a doctor before using if you have had a sudden, persistent change in bowel habits lasting 2 weeks or more.
  • Ask a doctor if you have already been using a laxative for more than 1 week.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding? Ask a health professional before use.
  • Children under 2 years old: Ask a doctor before use.
🚑If you take too much▾

If you or someone else takes too much magnesium citrate, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. Keep this product out of the reach of children.

📦How to store it▾

Store at temperatures between 46 and 86 °F (8 and 30 °C).

📄 Written from Magnesium Citrate’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Every point is grounded in that labeling — nothing is invented. How we use AI →

🩺 Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Magnesium Citrate — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

How fast does magnesium citrate work? ▾
You can expect a bowel movement somewhere between 30 minutes and 6 hours after taking it. It varies from person to person, so don't be alarmed if it takes a little while. It's a good idea to stay close to a bathroom after you take your dose.
Can I take magnesium citrate with my other medications? ▾
You can, but timing matters. Laxatives like magnesium citrate can change how well your body absorbs other drugs. To be safe, take magnesium citrate at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after any other medication. And if you're unsure, just ask your pharmacist — that's what we're here for.
Is it safe to use magnesium citrate if I have kidney disease? ▾
You should check with your doctor before using it if you have kidney disease. Your kidneys help clear magnesium from your body, so kidney disease can affect how your body handles this product. Your doctor can tell you if it's safe for you.
When should I stop using it and call a doctor? ▾
Stop and call your doctor right away if you notice any rectal bleeding, or if you use the product and don't have a bowel movement at all. Both of these can be signs of something more serious that needs attention. Also, don't use magnesium citrate for more than 1 week in a row without your doctor's okay.
Can I use magnesium citrate while pregnant or breastfeeding? ▾
It's best to ask a health professional before using it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. They can help you figure out the safest option for you and your baby.
Can I give magnesium citrate to my child? ▾
It depends on your child's age. For children under 2 years old, always ask a doctor before use. For older children, the dose is different from an adult dose, so follow your product's label carefully and talk to your pediatrician if you have any doubts.
Is Magnesium Citrate available over the counter? ▾
Yes — Magnesium Citrate is available over the counter (without a prescription) in at least some forms, according to its FDA labeling. Follow the package directions and ask your pharmacist if you're unsure which product is right for you.
When was Magnesium Citrate first available? ▾
Magnesium Citrate has been available in the United States since at least 2008, based on FDA approval history (Drugs@FDA) and product marketing records.
Who makes Magnesium Citrate? ▾
Magnesium Citrate is supplied by 79 manufacturers listed in the FDA NDC Directory, including Walgreen Company, Akron Pharma Inc, Retail Business Services, Llc.

💬 Answers drafted from Magnesium Citrate’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Grounded in that labeling — nothing is made up. How we use AI →

🧰 Keep exploring

🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerMagnesium Citrate vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Magnesium Citrate NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication

💊 How Magnesium Citrate comes

Magnesium Citrate is available in 2 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Oral solution

By mouth
Brands Citroma Leader Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative - Cherry Flavor Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative - Grape Flavor Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative - Lemon Flavor Major Max Lax OneLAX TrueMed
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Citroma is used for relief of occasional constipation (irregularity).
  • Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative - Cherry, Grape, and Lemon Flavor products are used for relief of occasional constipation (irregularity).
  • Generally produces a bowel movement within ½ to 6 hours.
Important instructions
  • Shake the bottle well before using.
  • Drink a full 8-ounce glass of liquid with each dose.
  • May be taken as a single daily dose or in divided doses.
  • For children under 2 years of age, ask a doctor before use.
Available strengths 3 strengths
2.65 mg/100 mL 0.059 g/mL 1.745 g/29.6 mL
211 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Topical solution

On the skin
Brands BET-R-PREP Magnesium Citrate Oral EZ2Go Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Lemon Flavor
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • EZ2Go Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Lemon Flavor is used for relief of occasional constipation (irregularity).
  • EZ2Go generally produces a bowel movement within ½ to 6 hours.
Important instructions
  • EZ2Go: Shake well before using.
  • EZ2Go: Drink a full 8-ounce glass of liquid with each dose.
  • EZ2Go: May be taken as a single daily dose or in divided doses.
  • EZ2Go: For children under 2 years of age, ask a doctor before use.
Available strengths 1 strength
1.745 g/mL
3 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

📊 Magnesium Citrate across the U.S. market

How Magnesium Citrate appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

2
Dose forms ⓘ
79
Manufacturers
15
Brand names
218
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
2008
First marketed ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Granule (4) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Walgreen Company4%
Akron Pharma Inc4%
Retail Business Services, Llc4%
Publix Super Markets, Inc.4%
Freds Inc4%
Meijer Distribution Inc3%
Other makers77%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

📈 How widely Magnesium Citrate is used

A general measure of how commonly Magnesium Citrate is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Magnesium Citrate is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

28,753
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$284,550 gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Magnesium Citrate prescribed? Of the 1,596 medications we measure, Magnesium Citrate ranks #745 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 53% of them.

Where Magnesium Citrate ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #745 of 1,596
#740 Capecitabine 29,934 Rx #741 Thiamine (Vitamin B<su... 29,550 Rx #742 Empagliflozin / Linagl... 29,523 Rx #743 Rituximab Injection 29,521 Rx #744 Mesalamine Rectal 29,129 Rx #745 Magnesium Citrate 28,753 Rx #746 Bortezomib 28,636 Rx #747 Bethanechol 28,635 Rx #748 Magnesium Sulfate / Po... 28,515 Rx #749 Milnacipran 28,086 Rx #750 Magnesium Sulfate / Po... 27,756 Rx

Utilization by Magnesium Citrate product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

magnesium citrate 58.2 MG/ML Oral Solution

28,753 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 100% of Magnesium Citrate prescriptions shown $284,550 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $9.90 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 10 of 103 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1052760

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Magnesium Citrate, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 10 of 103 listed Magnesium Citrate NDCs with Medicaid activity.

🔍 Compare Magnesium Citrate products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Magnesium Citrate — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 200 of 218 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 218 Magnesium Citrate NDCs →

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Magnesium Citrate RxCUI 52356 4 dose forms · 9 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Chewable Tablet RxCUI 441032 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 84 MG RxCUI 2718819 85 MG RxCUI 2595842 100 MG RxCUI 2744162
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Capsule RxCUI 372680 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 100 MG RxCUI 2608655 125 MG RxCUI 1673024 133.3 MG RxCUI 1673073 250 MG RxCUI 410995
  3. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Solution RxCUI 311424 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 58.2 MG/ML RxCUI 1052760
  4. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Tablet RxCUI 204730 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 100 MG RxCUI 1313985

Look up RxCUI 52356 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

🏷️ Sold under these brand names

citroma EZ2G0 Stimulax Gadavyt PenPrep OneLAX Saline Laxative Leader TrueMed EZ2Go Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Lemon Flavor Max Lax BET-R-PREP Magnesium Citrate Oral Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative - Cherry Flavor Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative - Grape Flavor Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative - Lemon Flavor Major OneLAX

🏭 Manufacturers & labelers

Walgreen Company 7 Akron Pharma Inc 6 Retail Business Services, Llc 6 Publix Super Markets, Inc. 6 Freds Inc 6 Meijer Distribution Inc 5 Chain Drug Marketing Association 5 Krogers 5 Walgreen Co 5 Old East Main Co. 5 Cardinal Health 5 QUALITY CHOICE (Chain Drug Marketing Association) 5 CVS Pharmacy 4 CVS Pharmacy, Inc. 4 NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc. 4 TOP CARE (Topco Associates LLC) 4 Vi-Jon, LLC 4 United Natural Foods, Inc. dba UNFI 4 Midwood Brands, Llc 4 Strategic Sourcing Services 4 Amerisource Bergen 4 P & L Development, LLC 4 Old East Main Co 4 Better Living Brands Llc 4

…and 16 more on the FDA NDC directory.

RxNorm drug class

Magnesium Citrate belongs to the Osmotically acting laxatives class.

Drug family (ATC) Osmotically acting laxatives, Magnesium, Salt solutions

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

🔬 Where this comes from

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Apr 1, 2026
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Magnesium Citrate.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Magnesium Citrate after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
58
NDC products indexed
218
Distinct labelers/manufacturers represented
79
Linked representative label ⓘ
Farmacias De Similares TX LLC
Linked label effective
Apr 1, 2026
Composite sections available
7
Linked SPL Set ID
4e6a64a0-e453-709b-e063-6294a90a7443
Linked SPL Document ID
4e6a64a0-e454-709b-e063-6294a90a7443
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗
NDC package records associated with this linked SPL 1

How we combine label and product data

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records; we don’t author the underlying clinical facts. We identified 58 FDA-filed SPL label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. The representative label is the starting point for the displayed reference monograph; the 12 largest stored in-scope SPL records, which may include that representative, are compared section by section, and the longest available version of each section is retained. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, product-listed strengths, and product-record counts are aggregated separately from ingredient-matched FDA NDC Directory records; package records listed above are associated with the linked SPL; and the normalized concept hierarchy comes from NLM RxNorm.

For canonical ingredient pages, bounded product-attributed indication and administration excerpts may be added to the AI evidence, and the generator is instructed to preserve available product, brand, route, and form qualifiers instead of treating one label as universal. Where a section is identified as AI-written, its plain-language text is generated from bounded label evidence. New draft drug pages remain in the admin review queue before first publication. Farmacias De Similares TX LLC is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates; it is not the sole source used for the page.

This is general education, not medical advice — always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and any medical condition. For the exact wording of the linked representative label, view that label on DailyMed; some displayed composite sections may come from other in-scope SPL labels. Learn how we use AI and our data sources & update cadence.