Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO4) is the anticonvulsant of choice in preventing and treating eclamptic fits.
Magnesium sulphate is usually administered as a slow intravenous bolus of 4 to 6 grams and then as an infusion of 1 – 2 grams per hour to keep the serum Mg in the therapeutic range.
MgSO4 is a safe drug to use in the pregnant patient .However it has some drawbacks
MgSO4 may also increase the likelihood of hypotension during regional anaesthesia .
It blunts the response to vasoconstrictors.
At moderately high levels it inhibits the transmission at neuromuscular junction,leading to apnea.
The risk of Mg Toxicity increases with the presence of oliguria since magnesium depends the kidneys for excretion.
Normal plasma level (NB most magnesium is intracellular) | 1 |
Therapeutic range | 2 - 3 |
ECG changes | 3 – 5 |
Loss of deep tendon reflexes | 5 |
Muscle paralysis, Respiratory depression | 6 - 7.5 |
Cardiac arrest | 12 |
Comments
Post a Comment