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Magnesium Sulfate
Magnesium blocks neuromuscular transmission and decreases acetylcholine release, preventing seizures in preeclampsia and eclampsia.
Magnesium Sulfate in 5% Dextrose Injection is indicated for prevention of eclampsia in preeclampsia and treatment/prevention of seizures in eclampsia. The drug blocks neuromuscular transmission and decreases acetylcholine release with a half-life of 4-5 hours and renal excretion. Major contraindications include heart block, myocardial damage, diabetic coma, and myasthenia gravis; significant interactions exist with neuromuscular blocking agents and CNS depressants. Careful monitoring is required in renal impairment and when used concomitantly with other medications affecting neuromuscular function.
At a glance
| Generic name | Magnesium Sulfate |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Pfizer |
| Drug class | Electrolyte; anticonvulsant |
| Target | Neuromuscular junction; motor nerve impulse; acetylcholine release |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1981 |
Mechanism of action
Magnesium prevents seizures in patients with preeclampsia and controls seizures in patients with eclampsia by blocking neuromuscular transmission and decreasing the amount of acetylcholine liberated at the end plate by the motor nerve impulse. Magnesium has a depressant effect on the central nervous system. Magnesium acts peripherally to produce vasodilation.
Approved indications
- Constipation
- Eclampsia in pregnancy
- Hypomagnesemia
- Incomplete passage of stool
- Mild pre-eclampsia
- Severe pre-eclampsia
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Feels foggy
- Feels edgy
- Fatigue
- Right lower lung subcentimeter pleural based nodular density
- Incidental PET CT- Right upper lung subcentimeter nodule associated with hypermetabolism
- Incidental PET CT- Nonspecific subpleural nodules
- Asymptomatic non-sustained ventricular tachycardia
- Catheter-related asymptomatic uncomplicated right upper extremity superficial venous thrombophlebiti
- Presyncopal episode, likely vasovagal response
- Drowsy
- Headache
Drug interactions
- Neuromuscular blocking agents (depolarizing: succinylcholine; non-depolarizing: atracurium, cisatracurium, pancuronium, rocuronium, vecuronium)
- Narcotics and/or Propofol
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Magnesium Sulfate CI brief — competitive landscape report
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- Pfizer portfolio CI