Dosing and uses of MgCl or MgCl(2) (magnesium chloride)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
injectable solution
- 200mg/mL
tablet extended release
- 535mg (64mg elemental)
RDA (Elemental Magnesium)
Males: 400-420 mg PO qDay
18-30 (Females)
- 310 mg PO qDay
- Pregnancy: 350 mg PO qDay
- Lactation: 310 mg PO qDay
>30 years (Females)
- 320mg/day
- Pregnant women: 360 mg/day
- Lactating women: 320 mg/day
Hypomagnesemia
4 g (in 250 mL D5W) IV infusion; no more than 3 mL/min
Usual Range: 1- 40 g IV qDay
Use serum levels as guide to continue therapy
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
injectable solution
- 200mg/mL
tablet extended release
- 535mg (64mg elemental)
RDa
<6 months: 30 mg/day
6-12 months: 75 mg/day
1-3 years: 80 mg/day
3-8 years: 130 mg/day
8-13 years: 240 mg/day
13-18 years: 410 mg/day (men); 360 mg/day (women); 400 mg/day (pregnant women); 360 mg/day (lactating women)
MgCl or MgCl(2) (magnesium chloride) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Respiratory depression
Hypothermia
Flushing
Significant decrease in blood pressure
Stupor
Sweating
Warnings
Contraindications
Renal impairment
Significant myocardial disease
Comatose patients
Cautions
Administer with caution if flushing & sweating occurs
Keep Ca salt antidote for IV injection ready
Risk of developing respiratory paralysis if long tendon reflux is not present
Contains benzyl alcohol (toxic in children)
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: C
Lactation: Excreted in breast milk; use caution
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of MgCl or MgCl(2) (magnesium chloride)
Mechanism of action
Acts as cofactor in numerous enzymatic reactions involving protein synthesis and carbohydrate metabolism; depresses CNS, blocks peripheral neuromuscular transmission, produces anticonvulsant effects
Pharmacokinetics
Distribution: 50-60% (Bone ); 1-2% (extracellular fluid)
Protein binding: 30% (albumin)
Excretion: Urine (as magnesium)
Absorption: Inversely proportional to amount ingested (15-36% at thigh doses and 40-60% at controlled dietary levels)
Administration
IV Preparation
4 g diluted in 250 mL D5W
10 g multidose viaL
IV Administration
NMT 3 mL/min
