Magnesium oxide

Magnesium Oxide is the oxide salt of magnesium with antacid, laxative and vascular smooth muscle relaxant activities. Magnesium combines with water to form magnesium hydroxide which reacts chemically to neutralize or buffer existing quantities of stomach acid; stomach-content and intra-esophageal pH rise, resulting in a decrease in pepsin activity. This agent’s laxative effect is the result, in part, of osmotically mediated water retention, which subsequently stimulates peristalsis. Additionally, magnesium ions may behave as calcium antagonists in vascular smooth muscle. It is grouped under the following drug class(es): Antacids and Electrolytes. Its therapeutic use is listed as laxatives and nutritional supplements. The directory classifies it as a commercial API with a mineral/inorganic source/manufacturing origin. Other names for this substance include Magnesia, Granmag, Animag and Magcal. Its PubChem CID is 14792.