Protocols › Magnesium

Magnesium for migraine prevention

Goal: What trials of oral magnesium used to prevent migraine attacks in adults.

Each protocol describes what studies used, for one goal or for one group of people. It is not advice for you: talk to a doctor before you start a supplement.

Updated 10 Nov 2026
Dose

600 mg (24 mmol) of magnesium a day in a positive trial of 81 adults.[1] 10 mmol twice a day in a trial of 69 adults that found no benefit.[2]

Form

Trimagnesium dicitrate in the positive trial.[1] A 2018 review named 600 mg of magnesium dicitrate.[3]

How long

12 weeks in both trials.[1][2]

What studies found

US neurology and headache societies rate magnesium as probably effective (Level B).[4] A 2025 review found fewer attacks and 1.66 fewer migraine days a month.[5] In the 600 mg trial, attacks fell by 41.6%, against 15.8% with placebo.[1] A 2016 review of 10 oral trials with 789 people found lower frequency and intensity, but some trials were not well randomized.[6]

Ask a doctor first

The usual migraine dose is above the US upper limit of 350 mg a day from supplements. NIH ODS says to take it only under a health professional's supervision.[7] Diarrhea affected 18.6% of people on 600 mg a day.[1]

People with kidney disease, or who take a medicine every day, should ask a doctor or pharmacist first.[7]

References

  1. Prophylaxis of migraine with oral magnesium: results from a prospective, multi-center, placebo-controlled and double-blind randomized study. Peikert A, Wilimzig C, Köhne-Volland R Cephalalgia, 1996. PMID 8792038
  2. Magnesium in the prophylaxis of migraine--a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Pfaffenrath V, Wessely P, Meyer C, Isler HR, Evers S, Grotemeyer KH, et al. Cephalalgia, 1996. PMID 8902254
  3. Magnesium in Migraine Prophylaxis-Is There an Evidence-Based Rationale? A Systematic Review. von Luckner A, Riederer F Headache, 2018. PMID 29131326
  4. Evidence-based guideline update: NSAIDs and other complementary treatments for episodic migraine prevention in adults: report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society. Holland S, Silberstein SD, Freitag F, Dodick DW, Argoff C, Ashman E Neurology, 2012. PMID 22529203
  5. Effects of selected dietary supplements on migraine prophylaxis: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Talandashti MK, Shahinfar H, Delgarm P, Jazayeri S Neurol Sci, 2025. PMID 39404918
  6. Effects of Intravenous and Oral Magnesium on Reducing Migraine: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Chiu HY, Yeh TH, Huang YC, Chen PY Pain Physician, 2016. PMID 26752497
  7. Magnesium: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov