Examples
Magnesium sulfate is most commonly used for the treatment
of
preeclampsia during pregnancy. Use of magnesium for
the treatment of
preterm labor or preeclampsia is an
unlabeled use of the medicine.
Magnesium
sulfate is sometimes used as a
tocolytic medicine to slow uterine contractions during
preterm labor. But studies show it does not stop preterm labor and it may cause
complications for both mother and baby.1
Magnesium sulfate is usually given through a vein (intravenously) until contractions have slowed and the
mother's
cervix has stopped thinning (effacing) or opening
(dilating).
How It Works
This medicine is thought to affect the
action of calcium in the body, and calcium must be present for the muscles of
the uterus to contract.
Why It Is Used
Magnesium sulfate may be used to
stop preterm labor when:
- Labor needs to be delayed for 24 to 48 hours
to:
- Let
corticosteroids given to the mother help fetal lungs
mature.
- Provide time to move a mother to a hospital that offers
neonatal intensive care, if her local hospital does not.
- Regular contractions of the uterus have thinned
(effaced) the
cervix and opened (dilated) it less than
4 cm, and the mother's
amniotic sac has not broken.
- The mother is
healthy.
- The fetus is alive and not in
distress.
- Another tocolytic medicine has not slowed uterine
contractions.
- Treatment with other tocolytic medicines has been stopped because
of side effects.
If preterm
labor is likely to lead to preterm delivery, magnesium sulfate may be used to reduce the risk of
cerebral palsy in the premature newborn.2More research is needed to find out how well this works.3
How Well It Works
Studies have shown that magnesium
sulfate is unlikely to stop preterm labor.4 It may
also cause complications for mother and baby.1
Side Effects
Common side effects of this medicine include:
- Muscle weakness and lack of energy.
- Blurry vision.
- Slurred speech.
- Headache.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Flushing.
- Stuffy nose.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug
Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
In rare cases, symptoms of magnesium toxicity (nausea, muscle weakness, loss of reflexes) occur during magnesium sulfate treatment. The medicine calcium gluconate is given to treat the problem.
Magnesium sulfate:
- Affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) of the mother. Part of normal care when intravenous magnesium sulfate is given includes checking the mother's reflexes. If too much magnesium sulfate is given, the mother's reflexes will be slowed. Reflexes are usually checked about every 2 to 4 hours while the mother is on this medicine.
- Affects the fetus's central nervous system. If this medicine has been given to the mother in large doses and the baby is born before the drug has had time to clear the mother's body, the baby may have temporary problems with breathing right after birth. These problems are quickly reversed with medicine.
- Leaves the mother's body in her urine. The amount of urine she produces is closely monitored to ensure that this medicine does not build up in her bloodstream.
Mothers on magnesium sulfate are closely monitored. Blood pressure and pulse are checked about every 30 minutes for at least the first few hours of treatment.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
- Grimes DA, Nanda K (2006). Magnesium sulfate
tocolysis: Time to quit. Obstetrics and Gynecology,
108(4): 986–989.
- Rouse DJ, et al. (2008). A randomized, controlled
trial of magnesium sulfate for the prevention of cerebral palsy.
New England Journal of Medicine, 359(9):
895–905.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2010). Magnesium sulfate before anticipated preterm birth for neuroprotection. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 455. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 115(3): 669–671.
- Haas DM (2010). Preterm birth, search date June 2009.
Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence:
http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | William Gilbert, MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine |
|---|
| Last Revised | January 10, 2011 |
|---|
Last Revised:
January 10, 2011
Grimes DA, Nanda K (2006). Magnesium sulfate
tocolysis: Time to quit. Obstetrics and Gynecology,
108(4): 986–989.
Rouse DJ, et al. (2008). A randomized, controlled
trial of magnesium sulfate for the prevention of cerebral palsy.
New England Journal of Medicine, 359(9):
895–905.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2010). Magnesium sulfate before anticipated preterm birth for neuroprotection. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 455. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 115(3): 669–671.
Haas DM (2010). Preterm birth, search date June 2009.
Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence:
http://www.clinicalevidence.com.