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Magnesium Sulfate

Class:
  • Electrolyte
  • Anticonvulsant
  • Smooth Muscle Relaxer
Route: IV or intraosseous piggyback over 6 - 10 minutes

Adult Dose:

Mix 2 grams of magnesium sulfate into a 250 ml bag of saline and infuse piggyback wide open via microdrip tubing

  • Standing order
    • Pulseless Torsades de Pointes
    • Perfusing Torsades do Pointes following successful cardioversion
    • Refractory bronchospasm (BioTel authorization required if dialysis patient)
  • BioTel authorization required
    • Eclamptic seizure refractory to diazepam or midazolam
Pediatric Dose: Not administered to pediatric patients
Drug Action:
  • Reverses magnesium deficiency
  • Calcium-channel blocker
  • Increases intracellular potassium
  • Central nervous system depressant
  • Relaxes smooth muscle
Onset: Immediate following IV infusion
Duration: 30 minutes
Indications:

Inform BioTel prior to administration when

  • hypomagnesmia is suspected
  • patients are on digitalis preparations

Continually monitor blood pressure, respirations, ECG, LOC, and muscle strength

Precautions:
  • Diaphoresis
  • Facial flushing
  • Hypotension
  • Depressed reflexes
  • Hypothermia
  • Bradycardia
  • Circulatory collapse
  • Respiratory depression
  • Muscle weakness/paralysis
  • CNS depression
Side Effects:
  • Shock or systolic blood pressure < 110mmHg
  • Heart block
  • Respiratory depression
  • Chronic kidney disease/dialysis
Contraindications: Calcium Chloride

 

 

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