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Minerals & electrolytes

Magnesium Orotate

Magnesium Orotate

A magnesium salt bound to orotic acid. It is not an established nootropic: the sources reviewed do not establish a cognitive benefit for this salt.

Mineral SaltInsufficient EvidenceForm Dependent EvidenceGi Side EffectsKidney CautionMedication Interaction RiskDose Sensitive
Updated August 2026/4 min read/5 citations
Reviewed by the NootropicsIndex editorial team.Method: prioritize cited human research and official safety or regulatory sources; compare retailer-listed prices without endorsing products.Affiliate disclosure
Supplement form

Magnesium Orotate is a form of Magnesium

View all Magnesium productsMagnesium AspartateMagnesium CarbonateMagnesium ChlorideMagnesium CitrateMagnesium GluconateMagnesium GlycinateMagnesium HydroxideMagnesium LactateMagnesium L-ThreonateMagnesium MalateMagnesium OxideMagnesium PidolateMagnesium SulfateMagnesium Taurate
01

What is it?

What it is

1

Magnesium orotate is a magnesium salt of orotic acid. It is a distinct magnesium form, not a generic name for magnesium supplements as a whole.

Form-specific evidence gap3
A human study that included magnesium orotate also included probiotics and coenzyme Q10. It therefore cannot show a form-specific effect from magnesium orotate alone.
02

Names, aliases and forms

Molecular FormulaC10H6MgN4O8
Cas Number34717-03-8
Common NameOrotate magnesium
03

Mechanisms of action

Why a magnesium claim is not enough

2

Evidence involving dietary magnesium, magnesium status, or another magnesium salt is not direct proof for magnesium orotate. Claims need evidence for the specific form and outcome.

04

Potential effects and evidence map

The sources reviewed do not establish magnesium orotate for focus, memory, or other nootropic outcomes. A 2024 review found the limited randomized evidence on magnesium supplements insufficient for cognitive conclusions. A human study involving magnesium orotate used several active components, so it cannot identify a magnesium-orotate-specific effect.

Effect domainMagnitudeGrade
Focus / attention2
UnknownConfidence: Medium

Evidence is insufficient to establish a magnesium-orotate-specific effect for focus or attention.

Note The sources reviewed include a broad magnesium cognition review, which is not direct evidence for this form.

0/5
E
Mood / wellbeing3
UnknownConfidence: High

A multicomponent human study cannot establish a magnesium-orotate-specific mood or wellbeing effect.

Note The intervention also included probiotics and coenzyme Q10.

0/5
E
05

Typical dosages and timing

Cognitive use2Not established

No magnesium-orotate dose is established for cognitive outcomes. The limited broader magnesium evidence does not provide a form-specific nootropic regimen.

06

Timing & effect horizon

Effect horizonUnknown
Unknown
Cognitive timing is unknown2

No magnesium-orotate-specific cognitive onset, peak, or duration estimate is established by the evidence reviewed here.

07

Safety, side effects and risk profile

Kidney-function caution4
Impaired kidney function can reduce magnesium removal and increase toxicity risk. Seek clinician or pharmacist guidance before adding a magnesium product when kidney function is impaired.
EU high-dose safety assessment5
In 2025, EFSA did not establish safety for magnesium orotate dihydrate at the proposed adult EU food-supplement use of up to 6.1 g/day, equivalent to about 400 mg magnesium and 5 g orotic acid. This is a source- and proposed-use-level safety conclusion, not a statement of legal status in every market or at every dose.
GI discomfort4
Confidence: High

High supplemental or medication magnesium can cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping.

Note Risk is dose- and product-dependent.

3/5
B
Liver / kidney caution4
Confidence: High

Magnesium toxicity risk rises with impaired kidney function because magnesium removal is reduced or lost.

Note This is a renal-function caution, not a liver-specific claim.

3/5
B
Interaction risk4
Confidence: High

Magnesium can reduce absorption of oral bisphosphonates and form complexes with tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics.

Note Medication timing requires product- and medicine-specific advice.

3/5
B
Dose-related concern4

High magnesium intakes from supplements or medicines can cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping. Stop and seek advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.

08

Interactions and cautions

Ask before combining4

Magnesium can reduce oral bisphosphonate absorption and can bind tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics. Confirm spacing with a pharmacist or prescriber rather than applying one universal schedule.

09

How it compares

Compared with magnesium generally1

Magnesium orotate combines magnesium with orotic acid. Research or recommendations for a different magnesium salt do not automatically apply to this form, especially for nootropic outcomes.

10

Practical buying and quality notes

  • When listings are available, compare the elemental magnesium declared on each Supplement Facts panel, not only the weight of the magnesium-orotate compound. Also compare form, serving size, and other active ingredients.4
11

FAQ

Is magnesium orotate a proven nootropic?

3

No. The evidence reviewed here does not establish magnesium orotate for cognitive outcomes, and a study using magnesium orotate alongside other active components cannot determine an effect from this salt alone.

12

References

  1. PubChem. Magnesium Orotate (CID 3036905).
  2. Chen F, Wang J, Cheng Y, et al. Magnesium and Cognitive Health in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Advances in Nutrition. 2024;15(8):100272.
  3. Strodl E, Bambling M, Parnam S, et al. Probiotics and magnesium orotate for the treatment of major depressive disorder: a randomised double blind controlled trial. Scientific Reports. 2024;14:20841.
  4. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Magnesium: Health Professional Fact Sheet.
  5. EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA). Safety of magnesium orotate dihydrate as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 and bioavailability of magnesium from this source in the context of Directive 2002/46/EC. EFSA Journal. 2025;23:e9528.
Note

This page is informational and summarizes available evidence. It is not medical advice, a recommendation, or a substitute for guidance from a qualified clinician.