• Hypomagnesemia:
    • Mild: IM 1g every 6 hours *4 doses
    • Severe asymptomatic: IV 4-8g at ≤1 g/hour
    • Severe symptomatic: IV 4-8 g at ≤4g over 4-5 min
  • Toxaemia of pregnancy; to prevent seizures associated with pre-eclampsia and for control of seizures with eclampsia:
    • IV 1-2g/hour for at least 24 hours
    • Initially IV 4-6g OD *5/7. Max 40g/24 hours
    • If no IV access, give IM 5g IM *1 to each buttock, then IM 5g to alternate buttocks every 4 hours PRN
  • Torsades de pointes:
    • Without cardiac arrest: Slow IV 1-2g (diluted in 50-100mL D5W) over 5-60 minutes, then 0.5-1g/hour
    • With cardiac arrest: Slow IV 1-2g (diluted in 10mL D5W) over 5-20 minutes
  • Ventricular arrhythmias (Off-label):
    • LD: IV 2-6 g *1 then 3-20mg/min *5-48 hours
  • Adjunct treatment in severe asthma exacerbation (Off-label):
    • IV 2g *1
  • As a tocolytic to stop preterm labor (Off-label):
    • LD: IV 4-6g over 20 minutes
    • Maintenance: IV 2-4 g/hour *12-24 hours as tolerated after contractions cease
    • Max: 5-7 days due to risk of hypocalcemia causing neonates with skeletal abnormalities related to osteopenia

Injection: 500mg/mL

  • In severe cases, half of the dose may be infused over first 15-20 minutes
  • For IM administration, dilute to maximum concentration of 200mg/mL before injection

Antiarrhythmics; Electrolytes

It can act as a smooth muscle relaxant, possibly by blocking calcium-mediated contraction, decreasing acetylcholine release from neuromuscular junctions and reducing histamine-induced airway spasm.

  • Depressed reflexes
  • Hypotension
  • Flushing
  • Drowsiness
  • Impaired cardiac function
  • Diaphoresis
  • Hypocalcemia
  • Hypophosphatemia
  • Hyperkalemia
  • Vision changes
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Myocardial damage
  • Diabetic coma
  • Heart block
  • Hypermagnesemia
  • Hypercalcemia
  • Administration during 2 hours preceding delivery for mothers with toxemia of pregnancy

None restricted

                          Drug Status

Availability Prescription only
Pregnancy Category D unless indicated
Breastfeeding Safe to use
Schedule Not controlled
BRAND NAME STRENGTH FORMULATION PACK SIZE MANUFACTURER DISTRIBUTOR
Magmed 50% w/v Injection 10mL Medisel Kenya Medisel Kenya
Magneon 50% w/v Injection 10mL Neon Labs Ripple Pharma
Magnesium Sulphate 50% w/v Injection 10mL Aurum Pharma Laborex Kenya
Magnosulf 50% w/v Injection 10mL Vital Healthcare Reddys Pharma
Nalepsin 4% w/v Injection 100mL Beximco Pharma Madawa Pharma