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magnesium oxide

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Brand names: Mag-Ox

Mineral Supplement OTC

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

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Generic Price

<$0.01/unit

Generic Available

Yes (14 manufacturers)

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

What it does

Mag-Ox treats acid indigestion and upset stomach.

Common side effects

Diarrhea

Key warnings

There are no boxed warnings for this medication.

How It Works

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.

How to Take It

Take one or two Mag-Ox tablets each day. You can take it with or without food. Do not take more than two tablets in a day. Talk to your doctor if you need more.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

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

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take more than two tablets in one day.

Storage

Store Mag-Ox at room temperature, between 59° to 86°F (15° to 30°C).

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 20,513 FDA adverse event reports.

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
Using the medicine for something it's not approved for
1,940
Fever
1,830
Throwing up
1,665
Death
1,601
Head pain
1,598

FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis

Detailed analysis of 39,831 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2002–2025.

Total Reports

39,831

Death-Related Reports

6,280

Hospitalization Reports

19,832

Top Indication

Product Used For Unknown Indication

Gender Distribution

Female 20,905 (56%)
Male 16,312 (44%)

Age Distribution

0–17 658
18–44 2,526
45–64 8,267
65–74 8,659
75+ 8,409

Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)

# Reaction Reports
1 NAUSEA 2,795
2 DIARRHOEA 2,580
3 FATIGUE 2,419
4 DYSPNOEA 2,054
5 PNEUMONIA 2,029
6 OFF LABEL USE 1,940
7 PYREXIA 1,829
8 VOMITING 1,666
9 DEATH 1,601
10 HEADACHE 1,598
11 ANAEMIA 1,465
12 PAIN 1,453
13 DECREASED APPETITE 1,440
14 CONSTIPATION 1,404
15 DRUG INEFFECTIVE 1,401

Reactions in Death Reports

DEATH 1,595
PNEUMONIA 613
SEPSIS 397
DYSPNOEA 390
MALIGNANT NEOPLASM PROGRESSION 386
NAUSEA 376
INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE 371
PYREXIA 362
ANAEMIA 361
OFF LABEL USE 347

Reactions in Hospitalization Reports

PNEUMONIA 1,642
NAUSEA 1,560
PYREXIA 1,426
DIARRHOEA 1,395
DYSPNOEA 1,298
VOMITING 1,107
ANAEMIA 1,092
FATIGUE 1,048
OFF LABEL USE 988
DECREASED APPETITE 897

Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation

Serious Warnings

There are no boxed warnings for this medication.

Known Drug Interactions

moderate naproxen

Antacids and Sucralfate Clinical Impact: Concomitant administration of some antacids (magnesium oxide or aluminum hydroxide) and sucralfate can delay the absorption of naproxen. Intervention: Concomitant administration of antacids such as magnesium oxide or aluminum hydroxide, and sucralfate with naproxen tablets and naproxen sodium tablets is not recommended.

Mechanism: Magnesium oxide can slow down how quickly your body absorbs naproxen into your bloodstream. This might make the naproxen take longer to start working.

What to do: It is not recommended to take these two medications at the same time. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to space out your doses.

Common Questions

What is Mag-Ox used for?
Mag-Ox is used to relieve acid indigestion and upset stomach.
How many tablets can I take each day?
Do not take more than two tablets unless your doctor tells you to.
Can I take Mag-Ox with food?
Yes, you can take Mag-Ox with or without food.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take more than two tablets in a day.
How should I store Mag-Ox?
Store it at room temperature, between 59° to 86°F.
Can I take Mag-Ox if I am pregnant?
Talk to your doctor before taking Mag-Ox if you are pregnant.
What if my symptoms do not improve?
Talk to your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after taking Mag-Ox.
Is Mag-Ox safe for children?
Ask your doctor if Mag-Ox is safe for children.
Can I take Mag-Ox with other medications?
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Mag-Ox with other medications.
What are the possible side effects of Mag-Ox?
The most common side effect is diarrhea.
What are the common side effects of magnesium oxide?
The most commonly reported side effects of magnesium oxide include Diarrhea. Based on 20,513 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
Does magnesium oxide interact with other medications?
Yes, magnesium oxide has 1 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include naproxen. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What drug class is magnesium oxide?
magnesium oxide belongs to the Mineral Supplement drug class. It is available over the counter (OTC). Mag-Ox treats acid indigestion and upset stomach.
Is magnesium oxide safe during pregnancy?
Talk to your doctor before taking Mag-Ox if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. They can help you weigh the risks and benefits. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Related Medications in Mineral Supplement

Other drugs grouped near magnesium oxide — same-class peers and common alternatives.

Compare magnesium oxide vs ascorbic acid side-by-side →

Medication Guides

Related Health & Safety Data

What the FDA Data Shows for magnesium oxide

The FDA label for magnesium oxide (sold under brand names such as Mag-Ox) classifies it as an over-the-counter product in the Mineral Supplement class. Mag-Ox treats acid indigestion and upset stomach. Official labeling lists 1 commonly reported side effect, including Diarrhea.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 20,513 voluntary reports. The database also lists 1 documented drug interaction derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of <$0.01.

Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: October 21, 2025

All federal data sources used on this page