Medical uses of magnesium sulfate

Magnesium sulfate is a chemical compound, a salt with the formula MgSO4, consisting of magnesium cations Mg2+ (20.19% by mass) and sulfate anions SO2−4. It is a white crystalline solid, soluble in water but not in ethanol.

Medical uses

Magnesium sulfate is used in medicine for several purposes.

Eclampsia and pre-eclampsia

Magnesium sulfate is used in the treatment of eclampsia and pre-eclampsia, serious complications of pregnancy. Eclampsia, which follows pre-eclampsia, is characterized by seizures and is one of the top causes of maternal and infant illness and death worldwide. Magnesium sulfate acts as an anticonvulsant to prevent these seizures.

Asthma

In acute severe asthma, magnesium sulfate is administered intravenously to help decrease inflammation and relax the muscles of the bronchial tubes, improving breathing.

Arrhythmia

Magnesium sulfate can be used to treat certain types of cardiac arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeats. It is particularly effective in treating torsades de pointes, a specific type of arrhythmia.

Hypomagnesemia

In cases of hypomagnesemia, or low magnesium levels in the blood, magnesium sulfate can be administered to increase levels.

Tocolytic agent

Magnesium sulfate is also used as a tocolytic agent, a medication used to suppress premature labor by relaxing the smooth muscles of the uterus.

Side effects

Like all medications, magnesium sulfate can cause side effects. These may include flushing, sweating, hypotension, depressed reflexes, flaccid paralysis, hypothermia, circulatory collapse, cardiac and central nervous system depression, and respiratory paralysis.

See also

• Magnesium deficiency (medicine)
• Hypermagnesemia
• Hypomagnesemia