Magnesium oxide

Magnesium oxide

Basics

Magnesium oxide is a salt consisting of the elements magneisum and oxygen. In medicine, the compound is commonly used as a laxative for symptomatic relief of acid indigestion and stomach upset, and in dietary supplements for cardiovascular and neuromuscular health.

Effect

Pharmacodynamics

When taken orally, magnesium oxide acts as a so-called osmotic laxative. This draws fluid from the body into the intestine, increasing stool mass and stimulating nerves in the colon wall. This stimulates intestinal peristalsis and subsequently leads to emptying of the intestinal contents. Dietary magnesium supplements have also been shown to reduce platelet aggregation by inhibiting the influx of calcium, a critical component of platelet aggregation.

Chemical & physical properties

ATC Code A02AA02, A06AD02, A12CC10
Formula MgO
Molar Mass (g·mol−1) 40,304
Physical State solid
Density (g·cm−3) 3,58
Melting Point (°C) 2800
Boiling Point (°C) 3600
CAS Number 1309-48-4
PUB Number 14792
Drugbank ID DB01377

Editorial principles

All information used for the content comes from verified sources (recognised institutions, experts, studies by renowned universities). We attach great importance to the qualification of the authors and the scientific background of the information. Thus, we ensure that our research is based on scientific findings.
Markus Falkenstätter, BSc

Markus Falkenstätter, BSc
Author

Markus Falkenstätter is a writer on pharmaceutical topics in Medikamio's medical editorial team. He is in the last semester of his pharmacy studies at the University of Vienna and loves scientific work in the field of natural sciences.

Mag. pharm. Stefanie Lehenauer

Mag. pharm. Stefanie Lehenauer
Lector

Stefanie Lehenauer has been a freelance writer for Medikamio since 2020 and studied pharmacy at the University of Vienna. She works as a pharmacist in Vienna and her passion is herbal medicines and their effects.

The content of this page is an automated and high-quality translation from DeepL. You can find the original content in German here.

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