Mag-Tab SR Dosage/Direction for Use

Under the recent Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs), the revised dietary allowance (RDA) of magnesium for nutritional supplementation in healthy individuals is: Adult males 31-70: 400 mg; Adult females 31-70: 320 mg; Adult females less than age 31: 240 mg - 320 mg; Adult females during pregnancy: 350 mg - 400 mg; Adult males ages 19 to 30: 240 mg - 410 mg; Children 4-8 years of age: 130 mg; Children 1-3 years of age: 80 mg.
Dosing: The usual Mag-Tab SR dosage for adults is 1 or 2 tablets every 12 hours or as directed by the physician. Where magnesium-depleting drugs are being used, supplementation with higher dosages may be required and should be considered.
In a recent review article, nephrologists noted that, because of the manner in which the kidney regulates Mg++, abrupt elevation in plasma Mg concentration will partially remove the stimulus to Mg++ retention, resulting in up to 50% of the infused Mg++ being excreted in the urine. They've observed that uptake by the cells is slow and that repletion of intracellular stores requires continuous correction of the hypomagnesemia.
The researchers concluded that the asymptomatic patient or the patient with chronic hypomagnesemia should be treated with an oral continuous release preparation (i.e. Mag-Tab SR). These clinicians recommend 40-50 mEq of Mag-Tab SR daily, taken in divided doses, for severe Mg++ depletion; and suggest 20 to 40 mEq of Mag-Tab SR daily for mild, asymptomatic disease.