What are the clinical uses of magnesium sulfate? What are their functions?

Magnesium is the central element of chlorophyll and is an essential element in photosynthesis. Magnesium is an activator of many enzymes and can promote carbohydrate metabolism, nucleic acid synthesis, phosphate conversion, etc. So what are the functions of magnesium sulfate?

① Anticonvulsant

10 ml of 10% magnesium sulfate is injected deep into the muscle or diluted with 5% glucose to a 2% to 2.5% solution and slowly dripped.

At this time, magnesium sulfate can inhibit the central nervous system, relax skeletal muscles, and have sedative, antispasmodic and intracranial pressure reducing effects. It is often used to treat convulsions, eclampsia, uremia, tetanus and hypertensive encephalopathy.

However, it should be noted that direct intravenous injection or large-dose intramuscular injection of magnesium sulfate is very dangerous. Generally, a maximum of 15 ml of 25% magnesium sulfate can be used each time. When using, pay attention to observe the patient's breathing and blood pressure. Sluggish knee reflex is an important sign of adequate magnesium ion intake.

② Helps with bowel movements

Oral magnesium sulfate is poorly absorbed in the intestines and has a good cathartic function, so it is also called Epsom salt.

After the oral magnesium sulfate aqueous solution reaches the intestinal cavity, it has a certain osmotic pressure, which prevents the water in the intestine from being absorbed by the intestinal wall.

The intestines retain a large amount of water, which can mechanically stimulate intestinal peristalsis and cause defecation. Therefore, magnesium sulfate can be used to treat constipation and abnormal fermentation in the intestines; when used in conjunction with anthelmintics, it can make it easier to expel intestinal worms. 5 to 20 grams of magnesium sulfate can be dissolved in 100 to 400 ml of warm water each time and taken orally once in the morning.

③ Stone removal

Magnesium sulfate can stimulate the duodenal mucosa, reflexively causing relaxation of the common bile duct sphincter and contraction of the gallbladder, thereby promoting gallbladder emptying and having a cholestatic effect. It can be used to treat cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, 2 to 5 grams each time, 3 times a day, orally before or between meals.

④Lowering blood pressure

Effect on the cardiovascular system: when administered by injection, excess magnesium ions can directly dilate the peripheral vascular smooth muscle, causing sympathetic ganglion transmission disorders, thereby vasodilation and lowering blood pressure.

1g, 10% solution, 10 ml per intramuscular injection;

Intravenous drip, 1-2.5 g at a time. Dilute 10 ml of 25% solution with 5% glucose to 1% concentration and inject slowly.

⑤ Asthma treatment

Magnesium sulfate relaxes bronchial smooth muscle by inhibiting cellular calcium uptake, helping to relieve symptoms in severe asthma.

Drug dosage: 25-40 mg/(kg·d) (maximum 2 g/d), divided into 1-2 times, add 20 ml of 10% glucose solution and slowly drip intravenously (more than 20 minutes), use for 1-3 days as appropriate.

⑥Treatment of premature birth

Magnesium ions can directly inhibit uterine smooth muscle and treat premature birth. Magnesium sulfate is injected intravenously and dripped. The first time, 4 grams is dissolved in 20 ml of 25% glucose and injected slowly within 5 minutes. Later, 60 ml of 25% magnesium sulfate is added to 1000 ml of 5% glucose and dripped intravenously, 2 grams per hour, until 2 hours after uterine contractions stop.

However, continuous medication should not be used for too long. Studies have shown that "newborns exposed to magnesium for more than 1 week can be observed to have significantly more bone abnormalities than newborns exposed to magnesium for only 3 days." This may be due to excessive fetal blood magnesium and the resulting hypocalcemia.

⑦ Hypomagnesemia

Magnesium has many physiological functions similar to those of potassium. Since the clinical manifestations of magnesium deficiency are similar to those of potassium deficiency, magnesium deficiency is often easily overlooked. When potassium deficiency occurs and symptoms do not improve after potassium supplementation, the possibility of magnesium deficiency should be considered first, so that hypomagnesemia can be corrected in time. Therefore, patients receiving long-term infusions should pay attention to magnesium supplementation while supplementing potassium. Adding 1 gram of magnesium sulfate to the daily infusion can prevent the occurrence of hypomagnesemia.

⑧ Anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling

Magnesium sulfate has the effect of reducing inflammation and swelling, so applying a hot compress of 50% magnesium sulfate solution to the affected area can reduce swelling.