What is Magnesium Sulfate: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan 13, 2021  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Magnesium Sulfate overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • magnesium sulfate Novaplus, PremierPro Rx Magnesium Sulfate

Generic Names:

  • Magnesium Sulfate

Uses:

  • Prevents seizures in pregnant women with severe eclampsia. Also supplies your body with magnesium, when needed, and treats muscle spasms caused by severe low levels of magnesium in the blood. Treats barium poisoning, brain swelling, and uncontrolled rapid heartbeat.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Anticonvulsant, Laxative, Hyperosmotic, Parenteral Mineral-Trace Mineral, Renal-Urologic Agent

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What form(s) does Magnesium Sulfate come in

  • Injectable

What are common Magnesium Sulfate doses?

  • Vial 2ML of 50%

  • Vial 10ML of 50%

  • Vial 20ML of 50%

  • Vial 50ML of 50%

  • Syringe 10ML of 50%

  • Flex Cont 50ML of 2GM/50ML

  • Flex Cont 50ML of 4GM/50ML

  • Flex Cont 100ML of 4GM/100ML

  • Bottle 100 Capsules

  • Bottle 1GM of

Common Magnesium Sulfate prescriptions

  • Magnesium Sulfate
    1000ml of 40gm/1000ml flex cont

  • Magnesium Sulfate
    100ml of 4gm/100ml flex cont

  • Magnesium Sulfate
    500ml of 20gm/500ml flex cont

  • Magnesium Sulfate
    50ml of 2gm/50ml flex cont

  • Magnesium Sulfate
    50ml of 4gm/50ml flex cont

  • Magnesium Sulfate
    10ml of 50% syringe

  • Magnesium Sulfate
    10ml of 50% vial

  • Magnesium Sulfate
    20ml of 50% vial

  • Magnesium Sulfate
    2ml of 50% vial

How to take Magnesium Sulfate

  • Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein or a muscle.

  • This medicine may need to be injected slowly, sometimes over several hours.

  • A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

  • A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

  • This medicine may need to be injected slowly, sometimes over several hours.

  • Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein or a muscle.

Magnesium Sulfate contraindications

  • You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to magnesium sulfate, or if you have heart damage or heart block (a problem with heart rhythm).

Magnesium Sulfate warnings

  • Talk to your doctor before you receive this medicine if you are breastfeeding.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney disease.

  • Lightheadedness or fainting

  • Trouble breathing

  • Weakness, or loss of feeling or muscle control

Magnesium Sulfate interactions

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using an antibiotic such as clindamycin, polymyxin B, streptomycin, tetracycline, or tobramycin, or a cardiac glycoside such as digoxin.

  • Tell your doctor if you are using any medicine that makes you sleepy. This includes sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.

Magnesium Sulfate side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Flushing or sweating

  • Weakness, or loss of feeling or muscle control

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Trouble breathing

  • Lightheadedness or fainting