Struggling to Find Magnesium Chloride? You Have Options

Whether you need Magnesium Chloride for a diagnosed magnesium deficiency, muscle cramps, or heart health, running into "out of stock" messages can be incredibly frustrating. The good news? With the right approach, you can often find Magnesium Chloride faster than you think.

In this guide, we'll walk you through three proven strategies to locate Magnesium Chloride in stock — plus what to do if you still come up empty.

Tip #1: Use Medfinder to Search Pharmacies in Real Time

The single most efficient way to find Magnesium Chloride near you is to use Medfinder. Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, Medfinder lets you search for medication availability across pharmacies in your area from one simple tool.

Here's how it works:

1. Go to medfinder.com
2. Search for "Magnesium Chloride"
3. Enter your zip code
4. See which nearby pharmacies have it in stock

This saves you hours of phone calls and driving around. It's especially helpful during shortage periods when availability changes quickly.

Tip #2: Try Independent and Compounding Pharmacies

If the big chain pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid are all out of stock, don't give up. Independent pharmacies often use different wholesale distributors than the major chains. This means they may have access to Magnesium Chloride stock that chain pharmacies don't.

Here's why independent pharmacies can be a great option:

• They work with multiple distributors, not just one
• They can often special-order medications directly
• They may have relationships with compounding suppliers
• Their pharmacists tend to have more time to help you problem-solve

Compounding pharmacies are another excellent resource. If a specific Magnesium Chloride product is unavailable, a compounding pharmacy can sometimes prepare a custom formulation using pharmaceutical-grade magnesium chloride powder. Ask your doctor if a compounded version would work for you.

Tip #3: Time Your Visits and Shop Off-Peak

Pharmacies typically receive new shipments on specific days of the week — often Tuesday through Thursday. If you can, time your pharmacy visits to coincide with restocking days. Call ahead and ask when they expect their next delivery.

Additional timing tips:

• Morning visits give you the best chance of catching freshly stocked shelves
• Ask your pharmacist to hold a bottle when the next shipment arrives
• Set up auto-refills if your pharmacy offers this — it puts you at the front of the line
• Don't wait until you're out — try to refill when you have a 7-10 day supply left

Bonus: Check Online Retailers

Since oral Magnesium Chloride is available over the counter, you can also purchase it from online retailers. Here are some reliable options:

• Amazon — Wide selection of Slow-Mag and generic Magnesium Chloride tablets
• Walmart.com — Often has competitive pricing around $10-$15 per bottle
• Vitacost and iHerb — Specialty supplement retailers with multiple brands
• Pharmacy websites — CVS.com and Walgreens.com sometimes have online stock even when local stores don't

When buying online, look for products labeled "Magnesium Chloride" specifically (not magnesium oxide or magnesium citrate) unless your doctor has approved a different form. Prices typically range from $8 to $25 for a 60-count bottle of tablets.

What If You Still Can't Find Magnesium Chloride?

If you've tried all the above and still can't locate Magnesium Chloride, here are your next steps:

Talk to Your Doctor About Alternatives

Several other forms of magnesium may work for your condition. Magnesium Citrate, Magnesium Oxide, Magnesium Glycinate, and Magnesium Sulfate are all available alternatives with different absorption rates and benefits. Your doctor can help determine which is the best fit.

Ask About Prescription Options

If you've been taking OTC Magnesium Chloride and it's hard to find, your doctor may be able to write a prescription for a specific formulation that your pharmacy can order through its prescription drug supply chain.

Contact the Manufacturer

For brand-name products like Slow-Mag, you can contact the manufacturer directly to ask about current availability and where to find their product.

Check Hospital Outpatient Pharmacies

If you need the injectable form, hospital outpatient pharmacies sometimes have stock that retail pharmacies don't, since they order through different supply channels.

Final Thoughts

Finding Magnesium Chloride in 2026 may require a little extra effort, but you have more tools at your disposal than ever before. Start with Medfinder to check real-time availability, branch out to independent pharmacies, and consider online options for the OTC form.

If you're curious about why the shortage is happening in the first place, read our deep dive: Why is Magnesium Chloride so hard to find?. And if cost is a barrier, check out our guide on saving money on Magnesium Chloride.