Magnesium Sulfate

• • Mechanism of Action
  • Normalises serum magnesium concentrations in the case of hypomagnesaemia.
  • Magnesium is involved in many physiologic processes including cardiac Na⁺ / K⁺ ATPase, and hypomagnesaemia can result in depolarisation and torsades de pointes.
  • Also stimulates calcium delivery to the sarcoplasmic reticulum and competes with calcium for binding to troponin C, resulting in vasodilation and reduced contractility.

Clinical Use

• • Indications
  • Hypomagnesaemia
  • Severe acute asthma
  • Torsades de pointes
  • Ecclampsia
• • Adverse Effects
  • Due to hypermagnesaemia:
  • Drowsiness
  • Muscle weakness / hyporeflexia
  • Vasodilation / hypotension
  • Blurred vision / diplopia