Magnesium Sulphate Injection

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How does it work?

Magnesium is essential for the formation of strong bones and healthy teeth, the transmission of nerve signals and the contraction of muscles. It activates several enzymes and is important in the conversion of blood sugar into energy. It also helps regulate the body's temperature. Magnesium occurs naturally in green, leafy vegetables, nuts wholemeal cereals, soya beans and seafoods. Drinking water in hard water areas is also a source of magnesium. Supplements are only necessary for magnesium deficiency associated with impairment of absorption from the intestines such as repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, advanced kidney disease, severe alcoholism or prolonged treatment with certain diuretic medicines. It is also to treat abnormal heart rhythms, especially in situations when the levels of potassium are low. In this situation, the levels of magnesium are often also low. Adding magnesium can correct the abnormal heart rhythms by resetting the normal electrical activity in the heart. Magnesium sulphate may be given for the treatment of high blood pressure and fits (convulsions) in the later stages of pregnancy (eclampsia). It reduces the electrical excitability of the brain and thereby reduces the chance of fitting.

What is it used for?

- Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias)
- Low blood magnesium levels (hypomagnesaemia), eg resulting from malabsorption, chronic alcoholism, malnutrition or severe diarrhoea
- The occurrence of convulsions during pregnancy due to high blood pressure

Use with caution in

- Decreased kidney function

Not to be used in

- Defect of the heart's electrical message pathways resulting in decreased function of the heart (heart block)
- Severe damage to the muscular wall of the heart (myocardium)
- Significantly decreased kidney function

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- There is no information available regarding the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Thirst
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Slow, shallow breathing (respiratory depression)
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Muscle weakness
- Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- High blood magnesium level (hypermagnesaemia)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

Magnesium sulphate may cause a reduction in blood pressure when taken together with calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine. There may be an increase in the effects of neuromuscular blocking agents when given together with magnesium sulphate. When magnesium sulphate is given together with the following medicines there may be a risk of respiratory depression: high dose barbiturates opioids sleeping medicines aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g. gentamicin) Magnesium sulphate should be administered with caution to patients receiving digoxin. Some muscle relaxants may have their effect increased when used at the same time as magnesium.

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