Magnesium citrate laxative is made of ions from magnesium and citrate.  The magnesium ions are positively charged lone atoms, while the citrate ions are negatively charged six-carbon branched carbohydrates. The ions are bond together, but they separate when the magnesium citrate laxative comes in contact with water in the digestive system. Magnesium citrate laxative has two non-emergency uses. Higher intakes of magnesium citrate laxative are consumed to completely empty the bowel before diagnostic procedures such as a colonoscopy or a colonic radiography. Lower intakes of magnesium citrate laxative are swallowed to help with constipation.

Effects of Magnesium Citrate Laxative
High Intake	Prepares the colon for a colonic radiograph or a colonoscopy.
Low Intake	Assists with constipation.

Taking Magnesium Citrate Laxative for Diagnostic Procedures
A doctor may recommend magnesium citrate laxative to prepare the colon for a diagnostic procedure. The colon must be cleansed before a colonoscopy or a colonic radiography so that the images of the colon are clear and unobstructed.

During a colonoscopy, the patient lies on his left side. He may receive a sedative or pain medication. The doctor inserts an illuminated tube called a colonoscope through the anus, pass the rectum, and into the colon. The doctor inflates the patient’s colon with carbon dioxide to make it easier to see. A camera on the colonoscope films the lining of the colon so that the doctor can examine it. The physician sends the camera all the way to the start of the colon and then slowly brings it back out so that he/she sees every part of the colon twice. The doctor may also take tissue sample..

During a colonic radiography, the doctor gives the patient an enema with a substance that makes the lining of the colon stand out on an X-ray. The doctor then X-rays the patient’s colon and examines it.

Taking Magnesium Citrate Laxative for Constipation Support
At a low intake, magnesium citrate laxative can be a constipation remedy, working as an . osmotic laxative. When magnesium citrate dissolves, it makes the concentration of solutes inside the intestine higher than the concentration of solutes in the surrounding tissue. This in turn makes water from the surrounding tissue enter the inside of the intestine through osmosis. The magnesium citrate binds this water to the stool, making the stool softer and easier to eliminate.

H2Go  is a natural hyperosmotic agent, comprised of magnesium oxide.  H2Go helps bind sufficient quantities of water to the stool with a low magnesium intake, much less than other magnesium products. This allows the user to soften stools without taking excessive amounts of magnesium.

Magnesium citrate laxative is a magnesium salt with two important uses. Patients who are getting ready for a colonoscopy or a colonic radiography take magnesium citrate  to cleanse their colons. Magnesium citrate laxative is also a remedy for constipation.

References:

1. Magnesium Citrate Oral. WebMD
   http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-522-Magnesium+Citrate+Oral.aspx?drugid=522&drugname=Magnesium+Citrate+Oral
2. Colonoscopy. National Digesting Diseases Information Clearinghouse
   NIH
   http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colonoscopy/
3. Colonic Radiography by Double-Contrast Enema in the Elderly Patient with the Use of Trimebutine Meleate. Divisione di Geriatria, Presidio Ospedaliero Paladini Bua, Messiana
   PubMed
   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1587122