Repositioning Candidate Details
Candidate ID: | R1225 |
Source ID: | DB09104 |
Source Type: | approved; investigational |
Compound Type: | small molecule |
Compound Name: | Magnesium hydroxide |
Synonyms: | Magnesium dihydroxide; Magnesium hydroxide; Milk of magnesia |
Molecular Formula: | H2MgO2 |
SMILES: | [OH-].[OH-].[Mg++] |
Structure: |
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DrugBank Description: | Magnesium hydroxide is an inorganic compound. It is naturally found as the mineral brucite. Magnesium hydroxide can be used as an antacid or a laxative in either an oral liquid suspension or chewable tablet form. Additionally, magnesium hydroxide has smoke suppressing and flame retardant properties and is thus used commercially as a fire retardant. It can also be used topically as a deodorant or for the relief of canker sores (aphthous ulcers). |
CAS Number: | 1309-42-8 |
Molecular Weight: | 58.32 |
DrugBank Indication: | Magnesium hydroxide can be used as an antacid or a laxative depending on the administered dose. As an antacid, it is used for the temporary relief of heartburn, upset stomach, sour stomach or acid indigestion. As a laxative, it is used for the relief of occasional constipation by promoting bowel movements for 30 minutes and up to 6 hours. |
DrugBank Pharmacology: | As an antacid, magnesium hydroxide suspension neutralizes gastric acid by reacting with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to form magnesium chloride and water. It is practically insoluble in water and does not have any effect until it reacts with the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. There, it decreases the direct acid irritant effect and increases the pH in the stomach leading to inactivation of pepsin. Magnesium hydroxide enhances the integrity of the mucosal barrier of the stomach as well as improving the tone of both the gastric and esophageal sphincters. As a laxative, the magnesium hydroxide works by increasing the osmotic effect in the intestinal tract and drawing water in. This creates distension of the colon which results in an increase in peristaltic movement and bowel evacuation. |
DrugBank MoA: | The suspension of magnesium hydroxide is ingested and enters the stomach. According to the amount ingested, the magnesium hydroxide will either act as an antacid or a laxative. Through the ingestion of 0.5-1.5 grams (in adults) the magnesium hydroxide will act by simple acid neutralization in the stomach. The hydroxide ions from the magnesium hydroxide suspension will combine with the acidic H+ ions of the hydrochloric acid made by the stomachs parietal cells. This neutralization reaction will result in the formation of magnesium chloride and water. Through the ingestion of 2-5 grams (in adults) the magnesium hydroxide acts as a laxative in the colon. The majority of the suspension is not absorbed in the intestinal tract and will create an osmotic effect to draw water into the gut from surrounding tissues. With this increase of water in the intestines, the feces will soften and the intraluminal volume of the feces will increase. These effects still stimulate intestinal motility and induce the urge to defecate. Magnesium hydroxide will also release cholecystokinin (CKK) in the intestines which will accumulate water and electrolytes in the lumen and furthermore increase intestinal motility. |
Targets: | -- |
Inclusion Criteria: | Therapeutic strategy associated |

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