Nobody likes having a colonoscopy. Even though you’re put to sleep during the process, which is dreaded, most individuals believe the preparation is the worst part. The product your doctor advises you to consume to clear out your intestines before a treatment tastes terrible. Also, it makes you feel unpleasant! Magnesium citrate, a colon cleanser, is the main component of a colonoscopy preparation package.
Smaller amounts of magnesium citrate are also present in over-the-counter remedies for constipation. It includes stool softeners and laxatives. It is available at your neighborhood pharmacy or grocery store. The FDA voluntarily recalled some magnesium citrate products in July 2022. Let’s find out why it was recalled in this article.
What effects can magnesium citrate have on you?
Before diving into this topic, we first need to learn about magnesium citrate and its uses.
On occasion, constipation is treated temporarily with magnesium citrate. Saline laxatives are a group of drugs that include magnesium citrate. It functions by making the feces retain water. The feces become softer and have more bowel motions, which makes them easier to pass.
Using magnesium citrate may have effects like improving relaxation and the quality of sleep. Magnesium is an electrolyte especially vital for the muscles and nerve cells. And assisting in stress reduction.
This product is typically used along with other treatments before surgery or specific bowel procedures (such as colonoscopy or radiography). This product will help remove stools from the intestines. Additionally, it can be used to treat constipation.
A colonoscopy is a method that lets your doctor examine your entire colon (large intestine) on the inside. Magnesium citrate can be safely consumed up to the RDA. However, higher dosages can cause nausea, diarrhea, loose stools, and abdominal cramping.
Oral Solution of Magnesium Citrate
Magnesium citrate belongs to the class of medications known as saline laxatives. It typically causes bowel movements in 1/2 to 6 hours each and boosts occasional constipation (irregularity). Sodium (37 mg) and magnesium (280 mg) are present in one fluid ounce.
Major U.S. stores sell magnesium citrate saline laxative oral solutions. The item is offered in many generic brand names at CVS, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Walmart, typically in 10-ounce quantities. This medication is manufactured by Vi-Jon LLC, which is based in Tennessee.
Vi-Jon Laboratories is an American health and beauty care firm. It manufactures both private-label and brand-name goods. The company’s products are distributed to shops such as Kroger, Target, and Walgreens nationwide.
Magnesium Citrate Oral Solution Shortage
Magnesium citrate was voluntarily recalled by a laxative in 2022. It was microbial contamination that was creating adverse consumer reactions. The product was marketed to major merchants all around the country. The recall was started due to the discovery of a plant-infecting bacterium. It was initiated by Vi-Jon, LLC’s third-party microbial testing business.
Consuming the items increased the likelihood of developing invasive infections. Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens bring it on. (A gram-negative bacterium is known as Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens. It has previously been identified as a plant pathogen. As far as we know, just one other instance of a Gluconacetobacter species infection in a human being has been recorded. That instance was linked to severe immunodeficiency.)
Along with that, it also causes major, life-threatening health problems. This will affect people with compromised immune systems.
The mag-citrate recall affected oral solution flavors like cherry, grape, and lemon. The 10-ounce plastic bottle-containing product was shipped to wholesalers and retailers throughout the country. It includes CVS, Walgreens, Publix, Kroger, and Target.
The FDA advised customers who own the product not to use it and to return any leftovers to the store where it was purchased. Thus, magnesium citrate shortages occurred across the nation.
Contamination concerns have led to the recall of a laxative
Vi-Jon initially recalled one lot of CVS magnesium citrate oral solution with lemon flavor on June 21, 2022. This resulted from a Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens infection. The recall was later extended to cover all flavors. It affected large quantities of magnesium citrate oral solution.
The manufacturer, Vi-Jon, has recalled that one lot of magnesium laxatives was distributed at outlets across the country. According to the FDA, testing on the company’s 10 oz. Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Oral Solution Lemon Flavor revealed the presence of the bacterium.
The FDA warns that immunocompromised individuals who use the medicine may be at risk for infections that might be fatal. As we know, this medicine is mostly used to treat constipation.
According to the University of California, Davis, gluconacetobacter liquefaction is a naturally occurring organism. It is often associated with sugar, especially fruits, and alcohol. According to UC Davis, the bacteria performs the same “spoiling” activity. It will turn ethanol into acetic acid during alcohol fermentation. It also aids in fruit rotting.
The batch number for the problematic batch of CVS Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Oral Solution Lemon Flavor is 0556808. The attached product’s expiration date is 12/2023. The products should be put away by customers, who should then take them back to the shop where they bought them.
According to the FDA, the product is in a 10-ounce round or transparent plastic bottle. Vi-Jon claims to have informed the retailers at that time.
According to the FDA, this lot of the medicine was submitted to a third-party outside lab for testing. It happened after CVS requested it as a first production sample.
Vi-Jon, LLC, warned that immunocompromised people using this medicine may be more susceptible to infections. It could have life-threatening negative health effects. Vi-Jon, LLC, has not received any complaints about the recall as of 2022.
On July 14, 2022, the FDA received a notification. It states that Vi-Jon, LLC, has increased the recall to cover all consumer-level quantities of the product. The following goods have been added:
[“NDC” (National Drug Code), and “UPC” (Universal Product Code)]
| Affected Brand | NDC | UPC |
| Best Choice 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 63941-533-38 | 070038200499 |
| Care One 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 72476-001-38 | 341520313226 |
| Cariba 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 67860-166-38 | 646702057012 |
| Cruz Blanc 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | N/A | 308697403082 |
| CVS 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 63868-929-38 | 050428335178 |
| CVS 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 69842-983-38 | 050428305942 |
| Discount Drug Mart 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 53943-166-38 | 093351028205 |
| Equaline 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 41163-709-38 | 041163500679 |
| Equate 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate syrup | 49035-506-38 | 681131287142 |
| Exchange Select 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 55301-166-38 | 614299404205 |
| Family Wellness 10 oz lemon citrate | 55319-666-38 | 032251580826 |
| Good Sense 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 50804-166-38 | 846036007374 |
| Harris Teeter 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 72036-002-38 | 072036726124 |
| Heb 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 37808-769-38 | 041220510863 |
| Health Mart 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 62011-0380-1 | 052569142158 |
| Kroger 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 30142-899-38 | 041260001826 |
| Leader 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 70000-0424-1 | 096295135541 |
| Major 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 0904-6787-44 | 309046787440 |
| Meijer 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 41250-708-38 | 713733459457 |
| Premier Value 10 oz low sodium lemon citrate | 68016-696-38 | 840986035302 |
| Publix 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 56062-266-38 | 041415506732 |
| Quality Choice 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 63868-929-38 | 635515901254 |
| Rexall 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 55910-183-38 | 072785134188 |
| Rite Aid 10 oz lemon citrate | 11822-4330-2 | 011822433006 |
| Signature Care 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 21130-709-38 | 321130779155 |
| Sound Body 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 50594-166-38 | 072785114791 |
| Sunmark 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 70677-0051-1 | 010939908445 |
| Swan 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 0869-0166-38 | 072785134058 |
| Topcare 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 36800-709-38 | 036800455290 |
| Up&Up 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 11673-708-38 | 072785128835 |
| Up&Up 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 11673-666-38 | 072785128835 |
| Walgreens 10 oz lemon magnesium citrate | 0363-8166-38 | 311917201603 |
On July 26, 2022, the FDA received a notification stating that Vi-Jon, LLC, had increased the recall. This recall covers all consumer products in all flavors. The following items have been added to the recall:
| Affected Brand | NDC | UPC |
| Best Choice 10 oz cherry citrate | 63941-516-38 | 070038587903 |
| Best Choice 10 oz grape citrate | 63941-162-38 | 070038662204 |
| Care One 10 oz cherry citrate | 72476-002-38 | 341520000553 |
| CVS 10 oz cherry citrate | 69842-647-38 | 050428297339 |
| CVS 10 oz cherry citrate | 69842-647-38 | 00050428285152 |
| CVS 10 oz clear grape citrate | 69842-763-38 | 050428307458 |
| CVS 10 oz clear grape citrate | 69842-763-38 | 00050428325032 |
| Equaline 10 oz cherry citrate | 41163-769-38 | 041163500686 |
| Equate 10 oz cherry citrate syrup | 49035-593-38 | 681131287166 |
| Equate 10 oz grape magnesium citrate syrup | 49035-592-38 | 681131287159 |
| Family Wellness 10 oz cherry citrate | 55319-164-38 | 032251577888 |
| Good Sense 10 oz cherry citrate | 50804-164-38 | 846036007398 |
| Heb 10 oz cherry citrate | 37808-673-38 | 00041220510870 |
| Heb 10 oz grape magnesium citrate | 37808-695-38 | 00041220510887 |
| Health Mart 10 oz cherry citrate | 62011-0381-1 | 052569142165 |
| Kroger 10 oz grape citrate | 30142-806-38 | 041260008719 |
| Leader 10 oz cherry citrate | 70000-0575-1 | 096295141061 |
| Leader 10 oz grape magnesium citrate | 70000-0576-1 | 096295141054 |
| Meijer 10 oz cherry citrate | 41250-769-38 | 713733459440 |
| Premier Value 10 oz cherry citrate | 68016-701-38 | 840986035296 |
| Publix 10 oz cherry citrate | 56062-264-38 | 041415505735 |
| Quality Choice 10 oz cherry citrate | 63868-018-38 | 635515901117 |
| Rexall 10 oz cherry citrate | 55910-961-38 | 072785134164 |
| Rexall 10 oz grape magnesium citrate | 55910-615-38 | 072785134171 |
| Rite Aid 10 oz cherry citrate | 11822-4303-2 | 011822433037 |
| Signature Care 10 oz cherry citrate | 21130-165-38 | 321130789710 |
| Sunmark 10 oz cherry citrate | 70677-0053-1 | 010939910448 |
| Swan 10 oz cherry citrate | 0869-0164-38 | 308690693381 |
| Topcare 10 oz cherry citrate | 36800-164-38 | 036800455306 |
| Walgreens 10 oz cherry citrate | 0363-8164-38 | 311917201580 |
| Walgreens 10 oz grape mag citrate | 0363-7162-38 | 311917201597 |
Vi-Jon, LLC is looking into three reports of severe adverse reactions connected to the recall.
On August 4, 2022, Vi-Jon, LLC, updated an earlier list of Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Oral Solution flavors. They were voluntarily recalled to the consumer level and delivered in the US, Canada, and Panama. This applies to all lots of the 10 FL OZ (296 mL) Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Oral Solution, Cherry Flavor, and Grape Flavor. They are within their expiration dates.
Conclusion
If you have been told to utilize magnesium citrate to prepare for a colonoscopy due to an FDA recall, please follow the instructions below: 1. Substitute two Dulcolax pills for the magnesium citrate. 2. Complete the instructions in the prep brochure for MiraLAX. 3. If things are still unclear, choose either: Add another four doses of MiraLAX or two more Dulcolax pills to 32 ounces of clear drink.
According to the FDA, Vi-Jon, LLC, contacted customers through phone and email. They informed all of them of the recall. It also arranged for the return of any recalled goods.