Can You Take Vitamin B12 and Magnesium Together?

Vitamin B12 and magnesium are essential nutrients needed for energy and the health of your nervous system. It is safe to take vitamin B12 and magnesium supplements together at the usual doses.

Vitamin B12 and magnesium play a role in creating energy in your body:

• Vitamin B12 is necessary for the formation of healthy red blood cells, which provide oxygen throughout the body. If you have a B12 deficiency, you may feel tired or lack energy.
• Magnesium plays an important role in creating cellular energy in almost all bodily processes.

For these reasons, vitamin B12 and magnesium are sometimes recommended as physical activity stimulants or energy enhancers. However, unless you are deficient in any of these elements, it is unlikely that you will experience a significant change in your energy levels.

Vitamin B12 and magnesium are necessary for the development and proper functioning of your nervous system:

• Vitamin B12 helps maintain a healthy nervous system. It helps send nerve signals throughout your body. It also helps protect the brain from unwanted toxins and damage. Low vitamin B12 levels are commonly seen in many nervous system disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and nerve damage (neuropathy).
• Magnesium is necessary for signals to be transmitted throughout your nervous system. Magnesium is sometimes recommended to prevent or treat migraines and to treat neuropathic (nervous) pain.

You can obtain vitamin B12 and magnesium through your diet, preferably:

• Vitamin B12 can be found in animal products, such as fish, chicken, eggs and dairy products. People who do not consume animal products may need fortified foods or supplements.
• Magnesium can be found in green leafy vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds.

If you are deficient in these nutrients, ask a healthcare professional if supplementation is recommended and what form and dosage is best for you.

Vitamin B12 is available in pill, liquid, chewable tablet, or lozenge form. Magnesium is available in pill and liquid form and in several forms, including magnesium oxide, magnesium citrate, and magnesium chloride.

Vitamin B12 and magnesium are available as supplements alone or in combination with other minerals and vitamins (like a multivitamin).

Dosage

The dosage of vitamin B12 and magnesium varies depending on why you are taking the supplements.

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin B12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms. The RDA is 2.6 micrograms if you are pregnant and 2.8 micrograms if you are breastfeeding.

The RDAs for magnesium are as follows:

• Adult men aged 19 to 30: 400 milligrams
• Adult women aged 19 to 30: 310 milligrams
• Pregnant 19-30 year olds: 350 milligrams
• 19-30 year olds who are breastfeeding: 310 milligrams
• Adult men aged 31 to 50: 420 milligrams
• Adult women aged 31 to 50: 320 milligrams
• Pregnant 31-50 year olds: 360 milligrams
• 31-50 year olds who are breastfeeding: 320 milligrams
• Adult men aged 51 and over: 420 milligrams
• Adult women aged 51 and over: 320 milligrams

Yes, it is safe to take vitamin B12 and magnesium together.

Vitamin B12 has no maximum dose you can take. Your body naturally gets rid of excess vitamin B12 through urine (urine).

Very high doses of magnesium can cause side effects like low blood pressure, vomiting, fatigue, and muscle weakness. The tolerable upper limit of magnesium from supplements is 350 milligrams for adults. Doses greater than 350 milligrams increase the risk of side effects.

Potential drug interactions

Vitamin B12 may interact with the following medications:

• Medications for heartburn and acid reflux: Medications used to treat acid reflux and heartburn may affect how your body absorbs vitamin B12. This can lower your vitamin B12 levels. Examples of these medications include Prilosec (omeprazole) and Pepcid (famotidine).
• Metformin: Metformin, a medication used to prevent and treat diabetes, may reduce your body’s ability to absorb and use vitamin B12.

Magnesium can interact with:

• Osteoporosis medications: Magnesium may reduce your body’s ability to absorb bisphosphonates, medications used to treat osteoporosis. An example is Fosamax (alendronate). If you are taking a bisphosphonate and magnesium, separate the doses by at least two hours.
• Antibiotics: Magnesium may affect certain antibiotics, such as Cipro (ciprofloxacin) and Vibramycin (doxycycline). You should take antibiotics at least two hours before or four to six hours after taking magnesium.

Heartburn, acid reflux, and diuretic medications can also reduce magnesium levels. Although they do not interact with the supplement, they can affect the amount of magnesium remaining in your body. Examples of diuretics include Lasix (furosemide), Aldactone (spironolactone), and Bumex (bumetanide).