2. Introduction
Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for preventing and treating
convulsion in severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.
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3. Facts On Magnesium Sulfate
• AKA Epsom salt
• 1gm of salt= 98mg elements of magnesium
• Is an inorganic salt with formula MgSO4
• Is in the WHO model list of Essential Medicine
• Highly water soluble
• Solubility inhibited by lipids
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4. Physiological Roles
• Acts as mediator for Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase system.
• Helps in oxidative phosphorylation, glucose utilization and protein
synthesis
• Generation of cAMP via adenyl cyclase.
• Control release and action of parathyroid hormone thus regulates Ca2+
metabolism
• Synthesis of DNA,RNA and protein
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5. Cardiovascular Effects
• Direct depressant on myocardial and vascular smooth muscle.
• Reduce systolic BP but no changes in DBP.
• Inhibit release of catecholamines from adrenal medulla.
• Act as anti arrhythmic and slows HR.
• Reduce cardiac output and vascular tone causing hypotension
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6. Nervous System Effects
• Reduce release of Ach at Neuromuscular junction by antagonizing Ca2+
ions.
• Reduce excitability of nerves.
• Act as an anti convulsant by blocking Ca2+ channel.
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7. Routes
• Iv
• Im as anticonvulsants
• Orally -as laxative
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8. Uses In Gynae/Obs
• Severe pre-eclampsia
• Eclampsia
• Preterm labour (as tocolytic agent)
• Prevention of cerebral palsy in preterm babies (due to its
neuroprotective action)
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9. Other uses
• In hypomagnesia
• Treatment of severe asthma exacerbation
• Constipation
• Barium poisoning
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10. Mode Of Action
• Decrease acetylcholine(Ach) release from nerve endings and reduce
motor end plate sensitivity to Ach.
• Blocks calcium channel
• Cause vasodilation, increase cerebral, uterine and renal blood flow
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12. Advantages of MgSO4
• Relatively safe drug and DOC
• Can be given IV/IM
• In appropriate dose, it doesn’t affect fetus
• In appropriate dose, it doesn’t sedate patient
• Inexpensive and is on essential drug list
• It is metabolized by kidney, hence doesn’t cause hepatic problems
that are often associated with severe pre-eclampsia
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14. Administration
• MgSO4 is the drug of choice in all circumstances – it should
always be available at both health centre and hospital levels
• Give diazepam 10 mg (2 ml) over 2 minutes if
• There is MgSO4 toxicity
• MgSO4 is not available
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15. In Health Centre
Loading dose:
• Wash hand properly and dry well
• Tell women that she may feel warmth while the medicine is given.
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16. Give 4 g of 20% MgSO4 solution
IV slowly over 5-15 min.
• Take one 20ml sterile syringe
• Draw 8ml(4g) of MgSO4 50% into
syringe.
• Add/dissolve with 12ml of sterile
water for injection to make a
solution of 20%.
• Observe for any complications
while giving.
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17. • Follow promptly with 10g of 50% mgso4
• Give 5 g in each buttock as deep IM with 1ml
of 2% lignocaine.
• Take two 10 ml syringe
• Draw 5g of MgSO4 (50%) i.e. 10ml in each
syringe with 1ml of 2% lignocaine.
• Inject 1st syringe by deep IM injection into 1
buttock(5g of mgso4) .
• Inject second syringe by deep IM into another
buttock(5g mgso4)
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18. • Place needle and syringe in puncture proof container
• Remove gloves and discard properly
• Wash hand thoroughly with soap and water
• If convulsant reoccur after 15minutes, give 2g of mgso4(4ml) IV over
five minutes.
• Rationale:
Pre-eclampsia can quickly develop into eclampsia
Shaking during transport is a convulsion stimulus
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19. In Hospitals
• Loading dose-same as above
• Maintenance dose:
5 g of Mgso4 with 1ml of 2%
lidocaine in the same syringe by deep
IM every 4 hrs. in alternate buttock
If no signs of toxicity, give next IM dose
after 4 hours.
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20. • Maintaining IV dose:
Continue treatment for 24 hours after childbirth or the
last convulsion, whichever occur last.
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22. Monitoring Signs Of Toxicity
• Count Respiration rate for 1 minute every hour, should be ≥ 16
• Check Patellar reflex q. 4 hours, should be present
• Measure Urine output, should be ≥30ml/hr.
• Measure BP
• Measure serum magnesium level (1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL)
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24. NOTE
Repeat dose of MgSO4 should be withheld or delayed if Signs of
toxicity are seen.
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25. Antidote
• Keep antidote ready.
• In case of respiratory arrest:
Assist ventilation(bag & mask ,anesthesia ,
intubation)
Give Calcium Gluconate 1g(10ml of 10%
solution) IV slowly over 3 minutes, until
respiration begins to counteract effects of
MgSO4
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26. Side Effects
It is relatively safe drug
• Diminished knee jerk
• Respiratory failure
• Flushing
• Sweating
• Hypotension
• GI disturbances
• Hypothermia
• Circulatory collapse, cardiac and CNS depression
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27. Contraindications of MgSO4
• Renal function impairment
• Heart block, myocardial damage
• Myasthenia gravis
• Drug interaction: with Nifedipine
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28. Nursing Consideration
• Assess vital signs with in 15min after IV dose
• Monitor serum magnesium level if used during labor, contractions and
intensity
• Assess urine output and notify physician if ≤30ml/hour
• Examine patellar reflex.
• Use seizure precautions
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29. Attention !!!
• Administration can be very painful, so administer it deep IM in
gluteal region using 3-inch-long 20G needle
• 1ml of 2% xylocaine is added to reduce pain
• Each injection should be preceded by aspiration to ensure tip is not in
blood vessel.
• Massaging buttocks after injection will help disperse magnesium in
tissue.
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30. 1. Is Magnesium sulphate dangerous?
• After administration, about 30% of plasma magnesium is protein
bound.
• Magnesium is almost exclusively excreted in the urine, with 90% of the
dose excreted during the first 24 hours after an intravenous infusion of
MgSO4. Hence the need to monitor urine output in patients receiving
the drug.
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31. 2. Is Magnesium sulphate dangerous in
pregnancy ?
• MgSO4 toxicity is rare when it is carefully administered and
monitored.
• Studies show that the benefits of MgSO4 may outweigh the risks to
her and to her baby.
The answer to this question is NO!
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32. Why is Eclampsia still a major cause of
maternal deaths in Nepal?
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Speaker’s notes:
You need both 20% and 50% solutions on the ward.
Speaker’s Notes:
SLIDE
Fear of the side-effects of MgSO4 is the major factor in the many PIH related maternal deaths in this country. This fear is unfounded.
Speaker’s notes:
SLIDE
DHMTs in Malawi must orient all delivery room staff in the use of MgSO4 in the management of PIH.
Speaker’s notes:
SLIDE
Despite all the available data that MgSO4 provides a better outcome in the management of severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, and despite the fact that it is a cheaper drug, women in Malawi continue to die from eclampsia because that drug is not used.
Clinical Officers being team leaders in maternity care, should be at the fore front to institutionalise the use of MgSO4 in Malawi.