When Should The Second Dose Of Magnesium Citrate Be Taken?

Posted on Tue, 21 Oct 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 21 Oct 2014 Answered on

Thu, 13 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I am having a colonoscopy at 11am today. it is now 4:30am. My instructions were to drink 15oz magnesium citrate & 3 8oz glasses liquid after that at 6pm. I did that, and have had severe runs starting at 9pm and still have them. Instructions say to drink remaining 15oz 4-6 hrs before the test. and that I should be completely done 3 hours before 11am (my scheduled time). My question is, I am still going from the first dose, what should if do about 2nd? Instructions say it's im[peritive to take sec ond dose.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hi and welcome

Detailed Answer:
It would be recommendable to take 2nd dose even if there is still effect from fist dose since it is necessary to clean up whole small and large bowel and it can be achieved only if there is constant bowel emptying. Of course, if you dont take secnd dose, nothing serious will happen but it may cause problems in visualizing colon during procedure. Wish you good health. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar