MAGNESIA S.PELL*EFF LEMON 100G

Magnesia S. Pellegrino 45% effervescent powder
Magnesium hydroxide

What it is and what it is used for
Magnesia S. Pellegrino contains magnesium hydroxide.
It is indicated for the short-term treatment of occasional constipation and for the treatment of heartburn (antacid).
Consult your doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 7 days.

What you need to know before taking the medicine
Do not take Magnesia S. Pellegrino if:
• you are allergic to magnesium hydroxide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6);
• you suffer from a severe reduction in kidney function (severe renal failure);
• you experience acute abdominal pain or pain of unknown origin, nausea or vomiting, intestinal blockage or narrowing (intestinal obstruction or stenosis), rectal bleeding of unknown origin, severe dehydration;
the child to be treated is under 6 years of age.

Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Magnesia S. Pellegrino:
• if you suffer from chronic or recurrent constipation. In this case, medical intervention is always necessary for a diagnosis and for the prescription of other medicines, and medical supervision during therapy;
• if you have kidney problems;
• if you are elderly;
When the need for a laxative results from a sudden change in previous bowel habits (frequency and characteristics of bowel movements) that has lasted for more than two weeks, or when the use of a laxative fails to produce effects, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

The abuse of laxatives (frequent or prolonged use or with excessive doses) can cause persistent diarrhea with consequent loss of water, mineral salts (especially potassium) and other essential nutrients.
In the most serious cases, dehydration or a reduction of potassium in the blood can occur, which can lead to dysfunctions of the heart, muscles and nervous system, especially in the case of simultaneous treatment with some medicines used for heart problems (cardiac glycosides), with medicines that increase urine production (diuretics) or with medicines used to treat diseases of the immune system (corticosteroids).
The abuse of laxatives can cause dependence (the need to progressively increase the dosage), chronic constipation and loss of normal intestinal functions (intestinal atony).

Health education notes
First of all, it must be borne in mind that, in most cases, a balanced diet rich in water and fiber (bran, vegetables and fruit) can permanently solve the problem of constipation.
Many people think they suffer from constipation if they do not have a bowel movement every day. This is an incorrect belief, as this situation is completely normal for a large number of individuals.
Instead, consider that constipation occurs when bowel movements decrease compared to one's personal habits and are associated with the passage of hard stools.
Consult your doctor if episodes of constipation occur repeatedly.

Children
In young children, the use of magnesium hydroxide can cause hypermagnesemia, particularly if they have kidney damage or dehydration.

Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The reported side effects are:
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
Hypermagnesemia. This has been observed after prolonged administration to patients with kidney damage.
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, stomach aches, also with cramps or abdominal colic, more frequent in cases of severe constipation.

Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, including any not listed in this leaflet, tell your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system at: https://www.aifa.gov.it/content/segnalazionireazioni-avverse.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.