Magnesium Sulfate 50% Inj, 2ml
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. It's essential to follow the instructions carefully. This medication is administered either as an injection into a muscle or as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
If you need to store this medication at home, consult with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to determine the proper storage method.
Missing a Dose
If you miss a dose, contact your doctor to find out what steps to take next.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Report any unusual symptoms immediately, especially difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, or feeling very sleepy.
- Inform healthcare providers about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
- Avoid alcohol and other sedatives while receiving magnesium sulfate, as they can increase drowsiness and breathing problems.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Available Strengths:
- Magnesium Oxide 400mg Tablets
- Magnesium Sulfate 50% Inj, 10ml
- Magnesium 500mg Tablets
- Magnesium Sulfate 40mg/ml Inj, 50ml
- Magnesium Chloride 20% Inj, 50ml
- Magnesium Sulf 40mg/ml Inj, 100ml
- Magnesium Sulfate 50% Inj, 50ml
- Magnesium 200mg Tablets
- Magnesium Sulfate 50% Inj, 2ml
- Magnesium 300mg Capsules
- Magnesium Sulfate 40mg/ml Inj, 50ml
- Magnesium Sulfate 80mg/ml Inj, 50ml
- Magnesium 250mg Tablets
- Magnesium Sulfate 80mg/ml Inj
- Magn Sulf/d5w 10mg/ml Inj, 100ml
- Magnesium Oxide 250mg Tablets
- Magnesium Citrate Soln Lemon 296ml
- Magnesium Sulfate 50% Inj, 20ml
- Magnesium Su 40g/1000ml Inj, 1000ml
- Magnesium Sulfate 20gm/500ml Inj
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
Side Effects
Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek immediate medical attention:
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of high magnesium levels, including:
+ Confusion
+ Feeling sluggish
+ Slow movements
+ Shortness of breath
+ Upset stomach
+ Severe dizziness or fainting
Signs of low calcium levels, such as:
+ Muscle cramps or spasms
+ Numbness and tingling
+ Seizures
Other severe side effects, including:
+ Slow heartbeat
+ Flushing
+ Inability to move
+ Changes in vision
+ Feeling cold
+ Excessive sweating
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately, as they could be signs of a life-threatening muscle problem:
New or worsening muscle weakness
Difficulty chewing or swallowing
Breathing problems
Droopy eyelids
* Changes in vision, such as blurred vision or double vision
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to contact your doctor or seek medical help if you have any symptoms that bother you or persist.
Not all possible side effects are listed here. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, consult your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Difficulty breathing or slow breathing
- Feeling very sleepy or difficult to wake up
- Severe muscle weakness or inability to move limbs
- Blurred vision or double vision
- Slurred speech
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Severe flushing or sweating
- No urine output
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including any symptoms that occurred.
If you have a heart block or any other heart problems, as these conditions may affect the safety and efficacy of this medication.
* If you are currently taking nifedipine or terbutaline, as these medications may interact with this drug.
This list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to disclose all your medications, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, natural products, and vitamins, to your doctor and pharmacist. This information will help them assess potential interactions and ensure safe treatment.
To guarantee your safety, do not start, stop, or modify the dosage of any medication without first consulting your doctor. It is vital to verify that it is safe to take this medication in conjunction with all your other medications and health conditions.
Precautions & Cautions
Regular blood tests will be necessary, as directed by your doctor, to monitor your condition. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions for scheduling these tests and discuss any concerns or questions you may have.
This medication may contain aluminum, which can increase the risk of aluminum toxicity with long-term use. This risk is particularly higher if you have kidney problems or if you are a premature infant. It is crucial to discuss this potential risk with your doctor.
Do not take this medication if you have myasthenia gravis, as it can cause severe and potentially life-threatening breathing problems in people with this condition.
If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking this medication, you should contact your doctor immediately, as it may harm the unborn baby.
If you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor, as you will need to discuss the potential risks to your baby and determine the best course of action.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Flushing
- Drowsiness
- Hyporeflexia (decreased or absent deep tendon reflexes)
- Muscle weakness
- Respiratory depression (slow or shallow breathing)
- Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
- Cardiac arrest
What to Do:
Immediate medical attention is required. The antidote is intravenous calcium gluconate. Call 1-800-222-1222 (Poison Control Center) or seek emergency medical care immediately.
Drug Interactions
Contraindicated Interactions
- Calcium gluconate (relative contraindication in some cases, but used as antidote)
- Nifedipine (in pre-eclampsia, can cause severe hypotension and neuromuscular blockade)
Major Interactions
- Neuromuscular blockers (e.g., rocuronium, vecuronium): Potentiates and prolongs neuromuscular blockade, leading to increased risk of respiratory depression/paralysis.
- CNS depressants (e.g., opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, general anesthetics): Additive CNS depression, increased risk of respiratory depression and sedation.
- Calcium channel blockers (e.g., verapamil, diltiazem): Increased risk of hypotension and bradycardia.
- Digoxin: Increased risk of cardiac conduction abnormalities (though magnesium can be used to treat digoxin-induced arrhythmias).
Moderate Interactions
- Diuretics (loop and thiazide): May increase renal excretion of magnesium, potentially leading to hypomagnesemia (though magnesium sulfate is given for hypomagnesemia).
- Aminoglycosides: May potentiate neuromuscular blockade.
- Tetracyclines/Quinolones (oral forms): Reduced absorption if given concurrently (not relevant for IV/IM magnesium sulfate).
Minor Interactions
- Not available
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To establish baseline and guide initial dosing, especially in hypomagnesemia.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: Magnesium is renally excreted; impaired renal function increases risk of toxicity.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: Magnesium can cause hypotension.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: Loss of DTRs is an early sign of magnesium toxicity.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a serious sign of magnesium toxicity.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: Adequate urine output is essential for magnesium excretion.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Every 4-6 hours during continuous infusion, or as clinically indicated.
Target: Therapeutic range varies by indication (e.g., 4-7 mEq/L for eclampsia).
Action Threshold: If > 7 mEq/L, consider reducing or holding dose. If > 10 mEq/L, anticipate toxicity and prepare for intervention.
Frequency: Hourly during continuous infusion, or every 1-4 hours depending on patient stability.
Target: Present (2+)
Action Threshold: Absent DTRs indicate toxicity; hold dose and consider calcium gluconate.
Frequency: Hourly during continuous infusion, or every 1-4 hours depending on patient stability.
Target: > 12 breaths/min
Action Threshold: < 12 breaths/min indicates toxicity; hold dose and consider calcium gluconate.
Frequency: Hourly during continuous infusion, or every 1-4 hours depending on patient stability.
Target: Within patient's normal range, or target for condition (e.g., pre-eclampsia).
Action Threshold: Significant hypotension; consider reducing or holding dose.
Frequency: Hourly (minimum 25-30 mL/hour) during continuous infusion.
Target: > 25-30 mL/hour
Action Threshold: < 25-30 mL/hour indicates impaired excretion and increased risk of toxicity; hold dose.
Frequency: As clinically indicated, especially with high doses or renal impairment.
Target: Normal rhythm, PR/QRS/QT intervals.
Action Threshold: Prolonged PR/QRS/QT, heart block, bradycardia.
Symptom Monitoring
- Flushing
- Sweating
- Drowsiness
- Muscle weakness
- Slurred speech
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
- Respiratory depression
- Loss of deep tendon reflexes
- Cardiac arrest
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Category D. Used for the prevention and control of seizures in severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Also used as a tocolytic (off-label) to suppress pre-term labor, though prolonged use (>5-7 days) for this indication is associated with fetal bone abnormalities (osteopenia, fractures). Benefits must outweigh risks.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
L3 (Moderately Safe). Magnesium is naturally present in breast milk. While maternal magnesium sulfate administration increases milk magnesium levels, the amount ingested by the infant is generally considered low and unlikely to cause adverse effects in healthy, full-term infants. Monitor infant for signs of sedation or diarrhea.
Pediatric Use
Dosing is weight-based and varies by indication. Close monitoring of serum magnesium levels, vital signs, and reflexes is crucial due to the narrow therapeutic index and potential for toxicity, especially in neonates and infants with immature renal function.
Geriatric Use
Use with caution due to potential for age-related decline in renal function, which increases the risk of magnesium accumulation and toxicity. Start with lower doses and monitor closely for signs of toxicity (e.g., hypotension, CNS depression, respiratory depression, loss of reflexes).
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Always have calcium gluconate (10% solution, 10 mL IV over 3-5 minutes) readily available as an antidote for magnesium toxicity.
- Monitor deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) as a key indicator of magnesium toxicity; loss of DTRs precedes respiratory depression.
- Ensure adequate urine output (at least 25-30 mL/hour) before and during magnesium administration, as renal excretion is the primary elimination route.
- Magnesium sulfate can cause a sensation of warmth or flushing upon rapid IV administration.
- In pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, magnesium sulfate is given for seizure prophylaxis/treatment, not primarily for blood pressure control (though it has some vasodilatory effects).
- Avoid concomitant use with other CNS depressants or neuromuscular blockers unless absolutely necessary and with extreme caution and close monitoring.
Alternative Therapies
- For eclampsia/pre-eclampsia: Other anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin, benzodiazepines) are less preferred but may be used if magnesium is contraindicated or ineffective.
- For hypomagnesemia: Oral magnesium supplements for less severe cases.
- For acute severe asthma: Beta-agonists, corticosteroids, anticholinergics.
- For Torsades de Pointes: Isoproterenol, overdrive pacing (if magnesium is ineffective or contraindicated).