PlainMeds provides educational information only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.

magnesium oxide vs selenium

Side-by-side comparison of magnesium oxide and selenium Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

Drug Class
magnesium oxide Mineral Supplement
selenium Mineral Supplement
Type
magnesium oxide Over-the-Counter
selenium Over-the-Counter
Summary
magnesium oxide

Magnesium oxide (Mag-Ox) is a mineral supplement. It helps relieve acid indigestion and upset stomach.

selenium

Selenium is a mineral supplement. It provides selenium, an essential nutrient, to your body.

What It Treats
magnesium oxide

Mag-Ox treats acid indigestion and upset stomach. It works by reducing the amount of acid in your stomach. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

selenium

This medicine is a mineral supplement. It helps increase the level of selenium in your body. Ask your doctor if this supplement is right for you.

How It Works
magnesium oxide

Mag-Ox contains magnesium oxide, which neutralizes stomach acid. This helps to reduce discomfort caused by excess acid. It provides relief from indigestion and upset stomach.

selenium

Selenium provides your body with selenium. Selenium is important for many bodily functions. It helps protect cells from damage and supports a healthy immune system.

Common Side Effects
magnesium oxide
  • Diarrhea
selenium
  • Tiredness
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Pain
FAERS Reports
magnesium oxide
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 2,795
  • Loose or watery stools 2,581
  • Feeling tired 2,418
  • Difficulty breathing 2,054
  • Lung infection 2,031
selenium
  • Tiredness 467
  • Headache 326
  • Diarrhea 308
  • Nausea 303
  • Pain 280
Serious Warnings
magnesium oxide

There are no boxed warnings for this medication.

selenium

There are no boxed warnings for this supplement.

Pregnancy
magnesium oxide

Talk to your doctor before taking Mag-Ox if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. They can help you weigh the risks and benefits.

selenium

It is not known if selenium is safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor before using this supplement if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Also Compare — Nearby Drugs

How to Read This magnesium oxide vs selenium Comparison

magnesium oxide is classified in the Mineral Supplement drug class, while selenium sits within the Mineral Supplement class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are available over the counter.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, magnesium oxide has 11,879 submissions while selenium has 1,684. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between magnesium oxide and selenium — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.