Can I take magnesium with Lexapro? An Essential Guide

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, magnesium supplementation may improve depressive and anxious symptoms, especially when used alongside antidepressants. For those on escitalopram, a common question arises: Can I take magnesium with Lexapro?

Quick Summary

Combining Lexapro with magnesium is generally safe, with specific precautions for certain forms like citrate or salicylate. Adequate magnesium levels can help mitigate some rare Lexapro side effects, but expert consultation is vital before starting any supplement.

Key Points

General Safety: Combining Lexapro with most magnesium supplements like glycinate or oxide is generally considered safe for most individuals.
Citrate Caution: Excessive use of magnesium citrate, a laxative, can cause electrolyte imbalances that increase the rare risk of a serious heart rhythm issue associated with Lexapro.
Salicylate Interaction: Magnesium salicylate carries an increased risk of bleeding when combined with escitalopram and should be used only under strict medical supervision.
Hypomagnesemia Risk: Low magnesium levels can increase the risk of Lexapro side effects, including heart rhythm abnormalities, so maintaining adequate levels can be protective.
Adjunct Therapy: Evidence suggests magnesium supplementation may enhance the effects of antidepressants and improve depressive symptoms when used as an adjunct therapy.
Professional Guidance: Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement to discuss personalized risks and appropriate dosage.
Monitor for Side Effects: Watch for symptoms of heart rhythm changes, such as dizziness or palpitations, and report them to your doctor immediately.

Understanding the Roles: Lexapro and Magnesium

Before addressing the interaction between Lexapro and magnesium, it's essential to understand what each does for the body.

What is Lexapro (Escitalopram)?

Lexapro is the brand name for escitalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. SSRIs work by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood. By blocking the reabsorption of serotonin, Lexapro helps improve mood and reduce anxiety over time.

The Role of Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the human body. It's critical for muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and regulating blood pressure. From a mental health perspective, magnesium plays a crucial role in managing stress and anxiety, and deficiencies have been linked to depressive symptoms.

The Verdict: Can I Take Magnesium with Lexapro?

For most people, combining a standard magnesium supplement with Lexapro is generally safe, with no clinically significant interactions reported for common forms like magnesium glycinate or oxide. However, it is not a blanket recommendation, and several critical considerations exist, particularly regarding the specific form of magnesium used and the individual's overall health.

Potential Benefits of Combining

Several studies have explored the use of magnesium as an adjunct therapy for depression and anxiety. Research indicates that magnesium might enhance the efficacy of antidepressants. One possible reason is that magnesium plays a role in neurotransmitter function, and correcting a deficiency could help improve mood stabilization.

Key Considerations for Combinations

While many combinations are safe, some circumstances demand extra caution:

Existing Health Conditions: Individuals with kidney or heart disease should exercise extreme caution and always consult a doctor, as compromised kidney function can lead to an unsafe buildup of magnesium.
Heart Rhythm Concerns: Lexapro can, in rare cases, cause an irregular heart rhythm called QT prolongation. The risk of this side effect is significantly higher in people with low blood levels of magnesium or potassium. Therefore, ensuring adequate magnesium intake can be a protective measure for some, but it requires medical monitoring.
Specific Magnesium Forms: The type of magnesium supplement is crucial. Some forms present unique interaction risks with Lexapro. Always check the ingredients list carefully.

Types of Magnesium and Their Interaction Risk

Not all magnesium supplements are created equal. Different forms have varying absorption rates and potential side effects, which can influence how they interact with medication.


Magnesium Form	Common Use	Interaction Risk with Lexapro	Notes and Precautions
Magnesium Glycinate	Sleep, anxiety, and muscle relaxation.	Minimal. No significant interactions reported.	Considered one of the safest and most bioavailable forms for general supplementation.
Magnesium Oxide	Heartburn, constipation (less absorbed).	Minimal. No significant interactions reported.	Poorly absorbed by the body, so less effective for systemic benefits like mood support.
Magnesium Citrate	Laxative for constipation or bowel prep.	Moderate to High. Excessive use can cause electrolyte imbalances (hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia) that increase the risk of heart rhythm abnormalities with Lexapro.	Use caution, especially with bowel-cleansing doses. Consult a doctor.
Magnesium Salicylate	Pain relief, inflammation.	Moderate to High. Salicylates can increase the risk of bleeding when combined with escitalopram.	Use is typically not recommended due to bleeding risk. A doctor's approval is necessary.
Magnesium Threonate	Cognitive enhancement and brain health.	Minimal. No significant interactions reported.	High bioavailability, especially for brain tissue. Considered safe for general supplementation.

Important Precautions When Combining

Before deciding to take a magnesium supplement, it is crucial to speak with your prescribing physician. They can assess your individual health profile and determine if supplementation is appropriate for you. Here are some general precautions:

Consult Your Healthcare Provider: This is the most critical step. Discuss the type and dosage of magnesium you are considering. Your doctor can run tests to check your baseline magnesium levels.
Monitor for Symptoms: Watch for any unusual side effects, especially if using a laxative form like magnesium citrate. Report any new or worsening symptoms like dizziness, heart palpitations, or fainting immediately.
Avoid Excessive Doses: High doses of magnesium, especially in poorly absorbed forms, can cause gastrointestinal upset. Stick to a reasonable daily dosage as recommended by your doctor or a pharmacist.
Never Self-Prescribe: While some research suggests benefits, magnesium is not a replacement for Lexapro or any other prescribed medication. Never adjust your medication dosage or stop taking it without medical supervision.

Conclusion

While many people can safely take magnesium with Lexapro, the combination requires careful consideration of the specific magnesium form and individual health factors. Common and highly absorbable forms like magnesium glycinate pose a minimal risk of interaction for most people. However, caution is warranted with laxative forms like magnesium citrate and blood-thinning forms like magnesium salicylate. For many, correcting a magnesium deficiency may provide an added benefit to their mental health treatment. Ultimately, the safest approach involves a thorough discussion with your doctor, who can provide personalized guidance and monitor your progress. For more information on medication and supplements, consult resources from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, based on current information, taking magnesium glycinate with Lexapro is generally considered safe for most individuals. It is one of the more bioavailable forms of magnesium and has not been reported to have significant interactions with escitalopram. Always confirm with your doctor first.

Magnesium citrate should be taken with caution alongside Lexapro. Excessive use of this laxative form can lead to electrolyte imbalances that increase the rare risk of an irregular heart rhythm (QT prolongation) associated with Lexapro. Consult your doctor before use.

While Lexapro itself is not known to cause magnesium depletion, low blood levels of magnesium are a known risk factor for some of Lexapro's rare side effects, including heart rhythm abnormalities. For this reason, some people on Lexapro may benefit from supplementation.

There is some evidence suggesting that magnesium can help reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms, and it may be beneficial as an adjunct therapy to antidepressants like Lexapro. However, it is not a cure and should only be used as a supplement under a doctor's guidance.

Symptoms of low magnesium (hypomagnesemia) can include weakness, tiredness, drowsiness, confusion, tingling, numbness, and muscle cramps. These can also be symptoms of other conditions, so it's important to have a doctor check your blood levels.

Lexapro can cause a rare but serious heart rhythm issue, and this risk is increased if blood magnesium or potassium levels are too low. While correcting a deficiency with magnesium can be helpful, excessive use of laxative forms like magnesium citrate can cause electrolyte imbalances that raise this risk.

Yes, you should always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, including magnesium, while on Lexapro. They can assess your individual health status, rule out contraindications like kidney disease, and recommend the correct form and dosage.

Magnesium oxide is not known to have a significant interaction with Lexapro, though it is poorly absorbed. Magnesium threonate also has no reported interactions and may offer additional cognitive benefits. As always, a doctor should be consulted for personalized advice.