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Name: Magnesium sulfate
Pregnancy Category A
Drug classes
- Electrolyte
- Anticonvulsant
- Laxative
Therapeutic actions
Cofactor of many enzyme systems involved in neurochemical transmission
and
muscular excitability; prevents or controls convulsions by blocking
neuromuscular transmission; attracts/retains water in the intestinal
lumen and distends the bowel to promote mass movement and relieve
constipation.
Indications
- Hypomagnesemia, replacement therapy (IV)
- Toxemia/eclampsia/nephritis (IV, IM)
- Short-term treatment of constipation (PO)
- Evacuation of the colon for rectal and bowel examinations (PO)
- Unlabeled use: inhibition of premature labor (parenteral)
Contraindications/cautions
Contraindicated in the presence of allergy to magnesium products;
heart
block, myocardial damage; abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or other
symptoms of appendicitis; acute surgical abdomen, fecal impaction,
intestinal and biliary tract obstruction, hepatitis. Do not give
during 2
h preceding delivery because of risk of magnesium toxicity in the
neonate.
Use caution in the presence of renal insufficiency.
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Adverse effects
- CNS: Weakness, dizziness, fainting, sweating (PO)
- GI: Excessive bowel activity, perianal irritation (PO)
- CV: Palpitations (PO)
- Metabolic: Magnesium intoxication (flushing, sweating, hypotension,
depressed relfexes, flaccid paralysis,hypothermia, circulatory
collapse,
cardiac and CNS depression-parenteral); hypocalcemia with tetany
(secondary to treatment of eclampsia-parenteral)
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