Can you take gabapentin and magnesium together?

In this article:

• Potential benefits of magnesium supplements
• Can you take magnesium and gabapentin together?
• How far apart should magnesium and gabapentin be taken?
• Gabapentin and magnesium comparison
• How magnesium affects gabapentin absorption
• Best practices for taking gabapentin and magnesium
• Warnings about taking gabapentin with magnesium

In this article

• Potential benefits of magnesium supplements
• Can you take magnesium and gabapentin together?
• How far apart should magnesium and gabapentin be taken?
• Gabapentin and magnesium comparison
• How magnesium affects gabapentin absorption
• Best practices for taking gabapentin and magnesium
• Warnings about taking gabapentin with magnesium

Gabapentin is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat nerve pain (neuropathic pain) after certain infections and to help control seizures in adults and children 3 years and older. It’s also widely used off-label for conditions such as fibromyalgia, anxiety, and insomnia. 

Magnesium is a common dietary supplement available in many different forms. It supports healthy nerve and muscle function, among other important roles in the body. Because both are so commonly used, many people take both magnesium and gabapentin together and wonder whether they can be safely combined without interacting with each other.

Potential benefits of magnesium supplements

Magnesium is an essential mineral that our body uses for many core functions. It helps regulate nerve and muscle activity, supports healthy blood pressure, and contributes to tissue repair. Many people also use magnesium to promote relaxation, better sleep, regular bowel movements, or as an antacid. “Magnesium acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist, which plays a key role in neurotransmission and pain modulation. It is used by both psychiatry and pain medicine to assist with depression, migraines, and chronic pain,” explains Brian Zachariah, MD, board-certified psychiatrist at Mindpath Health in Katy, Texas.

You can get magnesium from foods such as vegetables, nuts, legumes, and dairy products. It can also be found as a dietary supplement in various forms. Common forms of magnesium include magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium citrate, and magnesium glycinate (also known as magnesium bisglycinate). Some over-the-counter (OTC) products with magnesium are used for specific symptoms like constipation, heartburn, or indigestion. 

While dietary supplements aren’t FDA approved to treat medical conditions, magnesium supplements are often marketed for muscle cramps, sleep, and stress. These issues may overlap with the reasons someone is prescribed gabapentin, which is why people may ask whether these two can cause a drug-nutrient interaction. 

Can you take magnesium and gabapentin together?

There are known interactions between some magnesium products and gabapentin. According to its drug label, OTC antacids that contain magnesium hydroxide can reduce the amount of gabapentin absorbed into the blood (its bioavailability) by 20% when taken together. 

A review of studies found that magnesium-containing antacids can significantly affect the bioavailability of many medications, reducing absorption by more than 50% in some cases. A small clinical study found that magnesium-oxide-based antacids can lower the bioavailability of gabapentin by 32%–39%. 

When this happens, medications don’t reach the correct concentration in the blood, and the person taking them may not get the benefits of the medication. This is called therapy failure, and in the case of people taking gabapentin, they may experience uncontrolled pain, seizures, or other symptoms. “Though this doesn’t make the combination dangerous, it can make gabapentin less effective for relieving nerve pain or helping with sleep,” says Simon Faynboym, MD, psychiatrist and Medical Director at Neuro Wellness Spa in Long Beach, California.

It’s not reported whether all magnesium products or supplements can cause the same interaction with gabapentin. This is why it’s best to check with your healthcare provider before taking an over-the-counter product with your gabapentin prescription. 

How far apart should magnesium and gabapentin be taken? 

It’s recommended to take gabapentin and magnesium-containing antacids at least two hours apart. 

Gabapentin and magnesium comparison

Though there’s some overlap between why people would take gabapentin or magnesium, these two substances are fairly different in what they are and how they work. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication, and magnesium is a mineral that you can get from food or supplements. 

Gabapentin vs. magnesium dosage

The dosage for gabapentin varies by patient, and healthcare professionals may consider factors like symptoms, severity, and your medical history. There’s no standard dosage of magnesium, but the recommended daily amount for adults is between 310 mg to 420 mg. The upper daily limit of magnesium in dietary supplements and medications is 350 mg for adults. The maximum daily dosage of gabapentin can also vary by patient, between 2,400 mg to 3,600 mg daily. 

Gabapentin vs. magnesium side effects

Gabapentin’s common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and tiredness. When taken in high amounts, magnesium can cause diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, and, in severe cases, heart rhythm issues and trouble breathing. 

Gabapentin vs. magnesium cost

Without insurance, the cost of gabapentin averages $149 for 90, 300 mg capsules. Magnesium supplements can cost $11 for 30, 250 mg tablets of generic magnesium. Actual costs can vary depending on the type of gabapentin or magnesium and where you purchase them. 

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Jan. 6, 2026. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.

How magnesium affects gabapentin absorption

“Gabapentin and magnesium can interact in the digestive system; therefore, magnesium can reduce how well gabapentin is absorbed if taken at the same time,” Dr. Faynboym says. Interactions between gabapentin and magnesium have only been reported with the antacid forms such as magnesium hydroxide and magnesium oxide. These products can bind to gabapentin in the stomach through a process called chelation. Chelation can happen with many minerals, like calcium, magnesium, or aluminum, and it can reduce how much of a medication is absorbed through the gut. Because of this, antacids that contain magnesium and aluminum, like Mylanta, are listed as known drug interactions on gabapentin’s drug label.

Dietary magnesium supplements, however, haven’t been formally studied with gabapentin, so it’s unclear whether they have the same impact on absorption. Still, many healthcare professionals recommend separating the timing of gabapentin and magnesium just to be safe. This is especially important for patients who rely on consistent gabapentin levels for symptom control, including preventing seizures. 

Finally, some magnesium supplements at higher doses can cause diarrhea, which may further affect how medications are absorbed, according to Dr. Faynboym.

Best practices for taking gabapentin and magnesium

If you are taking gabapentin and magnesium-containing products, there are ways to minimize interaction between the two so you can still get the best results. Here are a few best practices to consider:

• Separate doses by two to three hours. “Gabapentin should be taken at least two hours after magnesium-containing products, such as antacids or supplements,” Dr. Zachariah says. 
• Avoid antacids with magnesium or aluminum products. Talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives to antacids containing magnesium hydroxide/aluminum hydroxide (e.g., Maalox). 
• Follow dosing instructions carefully. Gabapentin and products containing magnesium may both be taken multiple times a day. It’s important to follow your gabapentin dosing schedule to keep drug levels consistent and symptoms under control, which might need to shift if you’re taking magnesium-containing products as well. 
• Work with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Review any supplements or OTC medications you’re taking with your healthcare team. They can help you choose the right magnesium formulation, adjust your dosing schedule, or recommend alternatives for sleep, stress, constipation, or muscle cramps that won’t interfere with your gabapentin treatment. 

Although there are no published studies showing whether other forms of magnesium interact with gabapentin, some healthcare providers may recommend other forms of magnesium as part of your treatment. Magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate products are generally better absorbed than magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide, and they’re less likely to behave like antacids as a result. 

Warnings about taking gabapentin with magnesium

Most people can take gabapentin and magnesium together safely with proper timing, but certain patients should use extra caution. “Patients should consult with a healthcare provider prior to starting any supplement as a general means of caution. This is particularly important if they have chronic diseases, take multiple medications, or are at risk for drug interactions,” Dr. Zachariah says.

People who take multiple medications and supplements may be at higher risk for interactions in general and should get a review of their medications, supplements, and OTC products with their healthcare provider. “Older adults may also need extra caution, as they’re more sensitive to medication interactions and may already be taking multiple supplements,” Dr. Faynboym says. Older adults, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with kidney problems should also talk with their healthcare provider before combining these products. “Patients with kidney disease should be cautious because both magnesium and gabapentin are cleared through the kidneys, and too much magnesium can build up when kidney function is reduced,” Dr. Faynboym explains. 

Patients with seizure disorders should be especially careful about taking gabapentin and magnesium products together. Gabapentin relies on consistent blood levels to help control seizures, and any changes in levels can reduce the effects of gabapentin and potentially affect seizure control. Anyone in these higher-risk groups should discuss drug timing, magnesium forms or alternatives, and overall safety with their healthcare professional. 

Bottom line

Gabapentin is a drug used for many conditions, including nerve pain, seizures, and off-label uses such as for mood disorders. Magnesium is a mineral found in food, supplements, and OTC products. The reasons why people use both these products may be similar. For example, people may use gabapentin and magnesium if they’re managing anxiety, sleep, and pain. 

Gabapentin and magnesium do have some known interactions where certain magnesium products (antacids) can decrease the absorption of gabapentin. Despite this, there are ways to take both gabapentin and magnesium together. Taking these products two to three hours away from each other is one of the simplest ways to avoid this interaction.

People who need to exercise extra caution around potential drug interactions include people with seizure disorders, older adults, and people with chronic conditions. Work with your healthcare providers to review your medications, supplements, and OTC medications to reduce any interactions that can compromise your symptom control.