Indications
Magnesium Chloride is a mineral salt. It is an ingredient of several hospital fluids:
- fluids given into a vein to replace water and body salts (electrolytes), and to correct low magnesium;
- dialysis fluids used for people whose kidneys have failed;
- sterile irrigation solutions used to wash tissues during surgery and other procedures.
How It Works
Magnesium is needed for healthy nerves and muscles, a steady heart rhythm, and many chemical reactions in the body. Magnesium Chloride supplies magnesium in a form that dissolves easily. In dialysis and irrigation fluids it keeps the fluid’s salt balance close to that of the body.
Dosage and Administration
These products are used in hospital and are given or set up by a doctor or nurse. The amount, the speed of a drip and the length of treatment depend on the person’s weight, condition and blood tests, as prescribed.
Irrigation and dialysis fluids are not for injection into a vein unless the label says so.
Interactions
- Other medicines or supplements that contain magnesium: risk of too much magnesium.
- Muscle relaxants used during surgery and some antibiotics (such as Gentamicin): magnesium can increase muscle weakness.
- Calcium given into a vein can reduce the effects of magnesium.
The hospital team checks all medicines being given.
Contraindications
- High magnesium in the blood
- Severe kidney failure (for drips into a vein; dialysis fluids are made for this situation)
- Heart block (a problem with the heart’s electrical signals)
- Myasthenia gravis (a condition causing muscle weakness), unless the doctor decides otherwise
Side Effects
Possible: flushing, a feeling of warmth, low blood pressure, nausea, and pain or irritation where the drip enters the vein.
Too much magnesium can cause drowsiness, muscle weakness, loss of reflexes, slow breathing and a slow heartbeat.
Tell the nurse or doctor at once if you notice weakness, trouble breathing, chest discomfort, a slow heartbeat, confusion, or pain and swelling at the drip site.
Pregnancy and Lactation
Magnesium solutions can be used in pregnancy and while breastfeeding when the doctor considers them needed. Blood magnesium levels are checked during treatment.
Precautions and Warnings
- Extra care and close monitoring are needed in kidney problems.
- Blood magnesium and other salts are checked during treatment.
- Do not use a solution that is cloudy, has particles, or comes in a damaged container.
Overdose
Too much magnesium causes low blood pressure, flushing, loss of reflexes, weakness and slow breathing. It is treated in hospital by stopping the drip and, if needed, giving calcium into a vein, fluids or dialysis.
Therapeutic Class
Electrolyte replacement (mineral salt).
Storage
Store below 30°C, away from light and out of the reach of children. Do not freeze.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.