![]() Drugs that are used in the management of toxicity such as calcium gluconate should always be available in areas where magnesium sulfate is given.įor health professionals, the medication should be counter-checked with the order of the physician to prevent medication errors which may lead to magnesium sulfate toxicity. Preventionīlood monitoring should be performed to patients who are receiving magnesium sulfate to ensure that their serum magnesium level is within the normal range. The serum magnesium level will be continuously monitored until it returns to the normal level. Other medications that may be given include furosemide which will promote the excretion of magnesium in the urine. ![]() Calcium is known to antagonize the effect of magnesium and the administration of this drug may cause a marked improvement in the symptoms. When a patient exhibits respiratory depression or cardiac problems, calcium gluconate will be given to the patient. Mild to moderate symptoms may be managed by stopping the administration of magnesium sulfate. If a patient manifest with the initial symptoms of toxicity, a lab test should be done to measure the level of magnesium. Īn overdose in magnesium sulfate rarely happens at home because this drug is only administered at a hospital. There are instances where patient with this serum magnesium level experiences complete heart block and myocardial infarction. ![]() When the patient’s serum magnesium level reaches 10mEq/L, it may cause a paralysis of the respiratory system and bradycardia or a decrease in heart rate. Further increase in magnesium level may lead to facial paresthesia and muscle weakness. Other symptoms that may be present are nausea, vomiting and flushing of the skin. The blood pressure will also decrease at this point. This is due to the blocking of the transmission in the neuromuscular receptors. One of the initial magnesium sulfate toxicity symptoms is a decrease in the reflexes of the person. Decreased renal function increases the risk for magnesium sulfate toxicity because of the failure of the body to clear the drug from the system. If the level reaches more than 12mEq/L, it may be fatal to the patient. As the level approaches 10mEq/L, more serious complications will be seen in the patients. Initial symptoms will appear as the serum level reaches 4mEq/L. As the amount of magnesium in the body increases, symptoms of magnesium toxicity will begin to manifest. The normal level of magnesium in the body is about 1.5-2.5mEq/L. Side effects of taking magnesium sulfate may include weakness, poor reflexes, difficulty in breathing, low blood pressure, sweating, and headache. The low level of calcium in the system promotes relaxation of the uterine muscle. It is thought that magnesium lowers the amount of calcium, which is the mineral that is primarily necessary for muscle contraction. If an individual has a low level of magnesium because of conditions such as theophylline toxicity or digitalis toxicity, magnesium sulfate is given to increase the magnesium level.Īside from this indication, magnesium sulfate is also use to prevent preterm labor. Magnesium is a mineral that is required by the body for optimal functioning.
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