Magnesium Depletion
Drug Side Effects
Can be a Deadly Problem

Magnesium Depletion is a side effect of some drugs and supplements that can have deadly consequences. Magnesium deficiency occurs when magnesium is lost because of the effects of the drug. Some drugs, like diuretics- also called 'water pills', simply cause magnesium deficiency due to the excess urine that they produce.

While taking magnesium is an option, and should be recommended far more often by doctors, for those who take diuretics, - taking magnesium when taking other drugs may not even be an option.

Drugs like the Quinolone Antibiotics are inactivated by magnesium, despite the fact that they effectively BIND the magnesium in your body, leading to magnesium deficiency by a process called Magnesium Chelation. This effect can be enhanced when any number of Quinolone and Levaquin Drug Interactions, such as the commonly prescribed Levaquin and Prednisone are taken together. Either of these processes has the same effect- magnesium depletion leading to Signs of Magnesium Deficiency that can be extremely uncomfortable and even permanently damaging.

What Can Happen from
Magnesium Depletion

Many of the dangerous side effects of these drugs are a result of these magnesium losses. One of the most dangerous is a condition called Prolonged QT Interval which can cause heart rhythm disturbances and even lead to sudden death.

It is this action that likely accounts for the high rates of Sudden Death in Heart Failure patients as they routinely take diuretics. In animal studies, this magnesium wasting effect of the Quinolone Antibiotics has led to a condition called Chondrotoxicity and Cipro Tendonitis, where the cartilage and tendon fails to grow properly in children or becomes damaged and even ruptured in adults! This has led to an across the board caution for these antibiotics not to be used in children at all and an FDA Black Box Warning for tendon rupture in adults

Other effects from magnesium deficiency are the Signs of Magnesium Deficiency that are simply EVERYWHERE when you know what to look for. 'Subclinical' magnesium deficiency is a huge problem that causes mild to severe chronic health problems.

These are rarely recognized because standard laboratory blood Magnesium Level testing is completely inaccurate and unable to detect most magnesium deficiencies. Additionally, it's common to have a 'relative' magnesium deficiency from Calcium Side Effects, a common problem in western countries, where the overall amount of magnesium is probably adequate, but an excess of calcium creates magnesium deficiency symptoms.

How to Avoid
Magnesium Deficiency from Drugs

Ideally, you would stay away from these drugs in the first place if possible. The majority of drugs, like diuretics, that cause Magnesium Depletion also tend to cause electrolyte losses of potassium, sodium and other trace minerals that can be problematic in the short run AND the long run. Other drugs, like the Quinolone Antibiotics, have other toxic Side Effects that can even lead to permanent disability.

If you can't avoid taking these drugs, for MOST of these drugs, you can take magnesium with them following the guidelines on the Magnesium Dosage page. But be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist because taking Magnesium with Quinolone Antibiotics will inactivate them and cause them not to work.

Drugs That Can Deplete Magnesium

There are many drugs, substances and conditions (like sweating!) that can deplete magnesium. You can refer to each individual drug if you are concerned about Magnesium Depletion. While not a complete list of all of the drugs that can deplete magnesium, it's a start:

Diuretics or 'Water Pills'
Quinolone Antibiotics and other antibiotics
Some Chemotherapy Agents
Cyclosporine
Some AIDS Medications
The Antifungal drug Amphotericin B
Acid Reflux Medication
Birth Control Pills

And if you can't yet see why this would be a problem, get the book The Magnesium Miracle to see why a lack of magnesium could be contributing to the epidemic of chronic health problems that are occurring today- AND what you can do about them!! Keep reading to find out what the RIGHT magnesium dosage is to prevent and restore magnesium depletion...

Next --->
Magnesium Dosage