INDICATIONS:

 

• Torsades de Pointes, especially in the setting of tricyclic antidepressant overdose not resolved by sodium bicarbonate and Amiodarone.
• Digitalis induced ventricular arrhythmias.
• As an anticonvulsant in eclampsia.
• Suspected hypomagnesaemia

 

ADMINISTRATION:

 

• IV Push in cardiac arrest. IO
• Over 1-2 minutes when patient is not in arrest.

 

DOSAGE:

 

• ADULT:

 

• • Reactive Airway Disease:

• • • 2 grams (4 mL) IV/IO over 2-3 minutes

• • Eclampsia/Preeclampsia:
    • 4 grams  (8 mL) IV over  2-3 minutes:
    • 8 grams (16 mL) IM if an IV is unobtainable
    • 4 grams in each dorsogluteal muscle (upper buttock)

 

•  PEDIATRIC:

 

• • Not Approved

 

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS:

 

• Essential for the activity of many enzymes
• Plays an important role in neurotransmission and muscular excitability
• Overall is a CNS and muscular depressant

 

RELATIVE CONTRAINDICATIONS:

 

SIDE EFFECTS:

 

• Hypomagnesaemia
• Hypocalcaemia
• Anuria
• Heart block
• Active labor

 

SPECIAL NOTES / RESTRICTIONS:

 

• Bradycardia, Hypotension, Hyporeflexia, Diaphoresis and Drowsiness, Decreased respirator rate, Flaccid Paralysis
• Magnesium insufficiency should be suspected in patients who use diuretics and in patients with poor dietary habits, poor nutrition, or poor dietary intake (may be seen in chronic alcohol abuse).