Pharmacokinetic Profile of Oral Magnesium Hydroxide

Despite the presumption of a beneficial effect of magnesium (Mg) supplementation on various diseases, little is known concerning the pharmacokinetics of Mg hydroxide. This study was designed to provide a pharmacokinetic profile of Mg hydroxide after a single oral dose. Ten healthy male adults participated in this cross-over study with three 24-hr study days. Interventions were (i) none (baseline), (ii) oral intake of three (3 × 360 mg) tablets of Mg hydroxide (Mablet® ) and (iii) IV bolus infusion of 2 g Mg sulphate (index drug). Blood samples were collected before the single dose, after (i.e. after treatment administration) 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. and after 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 hr. Urine was collected in four 6-hr periods per study day. Blood (N = 10) and urine (N = 6) Mg were analysed by descriptive statistics. Bioavailability was 14.9% (CI: 8.3; 26.8), blood clearance was 5.1 L/hr (CI: 2.1; 17.0), apparent volume of distribution was 60.2 L (CI: 35.6; 102.0), elimination constant was 0.08 per hour (CI: 0.05; 0.14), half-life was 8.3 hr (CI: 4.8; 14.1), Cmax was 0.11 mmol/L (CI: 0.07; 0.14), and AUC[0-24] was 92.3 mmol/L × min. (CI: 45.5; 139.1). Urine Mg excretion augmented by 17.7% (CI: 8.9; 35.0) from baseline. No severe side effects were observed. The bioavailability of Mg hydroxide was 15%, and it constitutes a clinically relevant option for oral Mg supplementation. No severe side effects were seen.