Magnesium Sulfate

Question 1

Generic name and brand name of Magnesium Sulfate is….

Answer 1

Magnesium Sulfate. Or “Mag Sulfate” for short.

Question 2

Drug class of Mag Sulfate

Answer 2

Electrolyte, anti-inflammatory

Question 3

Mag Sulfate’s mechanism of action.

Answer 3

Blocks peripheral neuromuscular transmission by reducing acetylcholine release at the myoneural junction. Manages seizures in toxemia of pregnancy. Induces uterine relaxation. Can cause bronchodilation after beta-agonist have been administered. Stabilized cardiac myocyte in torsades.

Question 4

Indications for Mag Sulfate.

Answer 4

Seizures of eclampsia (toxemia of pregnancy), torsades de pointes, hypomagnesaemia, ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia that is refractory to amiodarone, life-threatening dysrhythmias due to digitalis toxicity. Bronchoconstriction that is refractory to Beta 2 agonist treatment

Question 5

Contraindications for Mag Sulfate

Answer 5

Heart blocks, Myocardial damage

Question 6

Adverse effects for Mag Sulfate:

Answer 6

Drowsiness, CNS depression, respiratory depression, respiratory tract paralysis, abnormal ECG, Atrioventricular blocks, hypotension, vasodilation, hyporeflexia (weakened reflexes).

Question 7

Precautions for Mag Sulfate

Answer 7

May enhance the effects of other CNS Depressants. Changes in cardiac function seen with cardiac glycosides

Question 8

Mag sulfate dosage for eclamptic seizure. __ to __ grams over ___ mins.

Answer 8

Eclamptic seizure = 1 to 4 grams over 3 mins

Question 9

Mag Sulfate dosage for Torsades. ___ to ___ grams IV . Infusion rate __ to ___ mins depending on stability.

Answer 9

Torsades = 1 to 2 grams IV (infusion rate 5 to

20 minutes depending on stability)

Question 10

Mag Sulfate dosage for Pediatric torsades, hypomagnesaemia, and asthma: ___ to ___ mg/kg with a max of _____grams

Answer 10

25 to 50 mg/kg max of 2 grams