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Magnesium Carbonate

    Synonyms: Carbonic acid, magnesium salt (1:1); carbonate magnesium; Destab; E504; hydromagnesite; magnesii subcarbonas levis; magnesii subcarbonas ponderosus

    Description:Magnesium carbonate occurs as light, white-colored friable masses or as a bulky, white-colored powder. It has a slightly earthy taste and is odorless but, since it has a high absorptive ability, magnesium carbonate can absorb odors

    Chemical Name: Magnesium carbonate anhydrous

    Adsorbent; antacid; tablet and capsule diluent.

    • As an excipient, magnesium carbonate is mainly used as a directly compressible tablet diluent in concentrations up to 45% w/w.

    • Heavy magnesium carbonate produces tablets with high crushing strength, low friability, and good disintegration properties.

    • However, magnesium carbonate can have varying effects on dissolution and stability.

    • Magnesium carbonate has been incorporated in microsphere formulations for the purpose of stabilizing encapsulated proteins.

    • It has also been coencapsulated in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microsphere formulations to neutralize acidity and enhance the immunogenicity of a contraceptive peptide vaccine.

    • Magnesium carbonate is also used to absorb liquids, such as flavors, in tableting processes.

    • Magnesium carbonate is additionally used as a food additive and therapeutically as an antacid.

    Incompatible with phenobarbital sodium, diazepam solution at a pH 5 5, some binary powder mixtures, lansoprazole, and formaldehyde. Acids will dissolve magnesium carbonate, with the liberation of carbon dioxide. Slight alkalinity is imparted to water. Magnesium carbonate was also found to increase the dissolution of acetazolamide formulations at a pH of 1.12; however, dissolution was retarded at a pH of 7.4.

    Magnesium carbonate is used as an excipient in oral solid-dosage pharmaceutical formulations and is generally regarded as an essentially nontoxic and nonirritant material. However, the use of magnesium salts, such as magnesium carbonate, is contraindicated in patients with renal impairment. In certain studies, magnesium carbonate has been shown to be an effective phosphate binder in short-term use for patients with chronic kidney disease, but the effects of long-term use require further study. The probable oral lethal dose in humans has been estimated at 0.5–5.0 g/kg bodyweight

    Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Magnesium carbonate may be irritant to the eyes; eye protection is recommended.

    Magnesium carbonate anhydrous; magnesium carbonate hydroxide; normal magnesium carbonate.