Question:
How long does Magnesium citrate continue to work after you have taken it?

My reason for this question is that I am to take the prep around 6pm the night before surgery, but hubby is flying in to be with me and his plane arrives at 7:30p.m., and if I still need to be by the toilet, I will need to find someone to pick him up or have him take a cab to the hotel. Thanks!    — Kathy J. (posted on January 7, 2002)

January 7, 2002
I think it would be best if you had someone else pick him up or you could quit eating earlier and do the prep earlier. The citrate isn't going to stay and keep going on and on but your timing seems a little close......
   — [Anonymous]

January 7, 2002
I took the stuff at about 4 pm and did not have any result until early the next morning. That was a good 10 hours... I was glad I was the third case of the day and I had several BM's after that initial one started. Everyone is different.
   — Pamela W.

January 11, 2002
I am a nurse and have seen that stuff work anywhere from 2-12 hrs. later. I took it myself as a prep before my surgery 12/11/01 around 3:00PM and by 5:30 I was hanging around REAL close to the bathroom! I would hate for you to be in a line of traffic at the airport or on the highway somewhere and that stuff kick in! I would advise you to have someone else pick up your hubby, better safe than sorry !!!! Good luck! :)
   — esthjb