      Document 0027
 DOCN  DRG0027
 UNIQUE IDENTIFIER        DRG-0220
 NAME OF SUBSTANCE        Magnesium sulfate [USAN 1996]
 REGISTRY NUMBER          10034-99-8
 STANDARD CHEMICAL NAME   Sulfuric acid magnesium salt (1:1),
                          heptahydrate [USAN 1996]
 SYNONYMS                 Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate [Merch Index
                          1989]
 SYNONYMS                 Epsom salts [Merck Index 1989]
 SYNONYMS                 Mg 5-Sulfat [Merck Index 1989]
 SYNONYMS                 Bitter salts [Merck Index 1989]
 SYNONYMS                 Epsomite [Merck Index 1989]
 PROTOCOL ID NUMBERS      FDA 020J
 SECONDARY SOURCE ID      DRG
 PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION   MODE OF ACTION: Parenterally in doses
                          sufficient to produce hypermagnesemia
                          (magnesium conc. > 2.5 mEq/L), magnesium
                          sulfate may depress the CNS and block
                          peripheral neuromuscular transmission
                          producing anticonvulsant effects. Excess
                          magnesium appears to decrease the amount of
                          acetylcholine liberated by the motor nerve
                          impulse. Magnesium acts peripherally
                          producing vasodilation. Magnesium readily
                          crosses the placenta and is distributed into
                          milk. Magnesium sulfate is excreted by the
                          kidney. Used parenterally mainly as an
                          anticonvulsant in severe preeclampsia or
                          eclampsia, or in controlling epilepsy
                          seizures, to counteract acute magnesium
                          deficiency, and to counteract effects of
                          barium poisoning. [AHFS Drug Information
                          1995]
 DISEASES STUDIED/TREATED Alleviation or elimination of hypocalcemia
                          and hypomagnesemia associated with foscarnet
                          infusion [FDA 020J]
 CLASSIFICATION CODE      Electrolyte replenisher [USAN 1996]
 CLASSIFICATION CODE      Anticonvulsant [USAN 1996]
 CLASSIFICATION CODE      Laxative [USAN 1996]
 OTHER MAJOR USES         Treatment of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia
                          [AHFS Drug Information 1995]
 SUBSTANCE INTERACTIONS   Concomitant administrations with CNS
                          depressants such as barbiturates, opiates, or
                          general anesthetics must be done with careful
                          adjustment of these agents to prevent
                          additive central depressant effects.
                          Concomitant administration of neuromuscular
                          blocking agents should be done with caution.
                          Magnesium sulfate should be administered with
                          extreme caution in digitalized patients
                          because serious changes in cardia conduction,
                          which can result in heart block, may occur if
                          calcium administration is required to treat
                          magnesium toxicity. [AHFS Drug Information
                          1995]
 ADVERSE EFFECTS          Signs of magnesium intoxication which may
                          begin at serum concentrations of 4 mEq/L,
                          include flushing, sweating, hypotension,
                          depression of reflexes, flaccid paralysis,
                          hypothermia, and circulatory collapse.
                          Complete heart bockadge can occur at high
                          concentrations (10 mEq/L). [AHFS Drug
                          Information 1995]
 CONTRAINDICATIONS        Should be administered with caution to
                          patients with impaired renal functions.
                          Magnesium sulfate is contraindicated in
                          patients with heart blockage or myocardial
                          damage. [AHFS Drug Information 1995]
 CHEMICAL/PHYSICAL DATA   MOLECULAR FORMULA: MgSO4.7H20 [USAN 1996]
 CHEMICAL/PHYSICAL DATA   MOLECULAR WEIGHT: 246.47 [USAN 1996]
 CHEMICAL/PHYSICAL DATA   SOLUBILITY: Soluble in water; slightly
                          soluble in alcohol [Merck Index 1989]
 CHEMICAL/PHYSICAL DATA   PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Efflorescent crystals
                          or powder; bitter, saline, cooling taste
                          [Merck Index 1989]
 CHEMICAL/PHYSICAL DATA   PHYSICAL COMMENT: pH 6-7 [Merck Index 1989]
 SUBSTANCE DELIVERY DATA  MODE OF DELIVERY: Intravenous. [AHFS Drug
                          Information 1995]
 MANUFACTURERS            Astra USA Incorporated
 REFERENCES               Stroud S, Salvato P, Thompson C. Magnesium
                          level and peripheral neuropathy. Int Conf
                          AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):202 (abstract no.
                          PB0235).
 ENTRY MONTH              9504
 LAST REVISION DATE       951213
 

SOURCE: National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.  Distributed by AEGIS.
