Magnesium Sulphate - Indications, Dosage, Side Effects and Precautions

Information about Magnesium Sulphate

Generic Name : Magnesium Sulphate
Up-to-date prescription details regarding Magnesium Sulphate are provided here.

Pronunciation : Mag-ne-sium sul-pha-te

Learn the correct pronunciation of the Magnesium Sulphate, understand it's uses, recommended dosages, its indications, how to take, when to take, when not to take, side effects, special precautions, warnings and its and its storage instructions.

You will also find a list of the medication's International and Indian brand or trade names, as well as its pricing information. For verification of the information presented on this page or for additional clarifications, it's advisable to consult your doctor.

Therapeutic Classification : Laxatives

Trade Names/Brand Names of Magnesium Sulphate

India :

Overview of Magnesium Sulphate

• Magnesium sulphate is important for muscles and nerves.
• It is also used as a laxative for constipation and to prevent and treat seizures in pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.

Why is Magnesium Sulphate Prescribed? (Indications)

Magnesium sulphate is used to treat several conditions which include:

• Magnesium deficiency
• Constipation and preparation of the bowel before surgical procedures and colonoscopy for its laxative action which it brings about by increasing the water content of the intestines and stimulating intestinal movement. The laxative effect of magnesium sulphate is also useful in barium poisoning to reduce the absorption of barium from the digestive tract.
• Torsades de pointes, an abnormal heart rhythm
• Cerebral edema (fluid accumulation in the brain)
• Pre-eclampsia or eclampsia, conditions of high blood pressure during pregnancy that are associated with seizures. Magnesium sulphate helps to prevent and treat the seizures.
• Locally for boils and carbuncles on the skin.

When should Magnesium Sulphate not be taken? (Contraindications)

Magnesium sulphate is contraindicated in patients with:

• Allergy to the drug
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease like heart block or heart muscle damage, or patients on digoxin treatment
• Myasthenia gravis
• Severe nausea, vomiting, perforation of bowel, bowel obstruction, sudden changes in bowel habits (for magnesium sulphate laxative)

What is the dosage of Magnesium Sulphate?

• The dosage and route of administration varies according to the condition for which magnesium sulphate is used, and the route of administration.

• The maintenance dose should be adjusted according to the response noted.

How should Magnesium Sulphate be taken?

• Depending on the dosage form, magnesium sulphate is taken orally, injected into the muscle or a vein, or applied on the skin.

What are the side effects of Magnesium Sulphate?

Digestive tract: Mild cramps, after constipation after taking laxative, diarrhea, stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, paralytic ileus
Nervous system: Confusion, dizziness or lightheadedness, sleepiness, slurred speech, double vision, muscle weakness
Cardiovascular system: Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure
Skin: Skin infection after local application
Others: Allergic reaction

What are the other precautions for Magnesium Sulphate?

• Take magnesium sulphate only as advised by the physician.

What are the Drug Interactions of Magnesium Sulphate?

• Magnesium sulphate when it is combined with drugs that include tetracycline antibiotics like demeclocycline, doxycycline and minocycline, and biphosphonates decreases their absorption from the digestive tract.
• Magnesium sulphate causes additional neuromuscular blocking effect with drugs like aminoglycosides, and nifedipine and nimodipine.

• Magnesium sulphate may increase drowsiness caused by other drugs with sedative effects.
• It should not be used in patients taking digoxin for heart disease.

What are the storage conditions for Magnesium Sulphate?

• Magnesium sulphate should be stored at room temperature of 20°C to 25°C.