What is magnesium sulfate used for?

Magnesium sulfate is an electrolyte supplement that's typically given in the hospital as an injection by a healthcare provider. It can help raise your blood [magnesium](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-Consumer/) levels if it gets too low. Magnesium sulfate can also help prevent seizures that can happen if you're pregnant and have [severe preeclampsia-eclampsia](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/pregnancy/eclampsia-preeclampsia). There are several other uses of magnesium sulfate that aren't FDA approved, but are recommended by certain reputable, professional organizations based on clinical evidence (["off-label" use](https://www.fda.gov/patients/learn-about-expanded-access-and-other-treatment-options/understanding-unapproved-use-approved-drugs-label)). The [American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC)](https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000549) recommends magnesium sulfate as a first-choice medication for a severe, irregular heart rhythm called [torsades de pointes](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459388/). Additionally, the [Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines](https://ginasthma.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/GINA-Pocket-Guide-2021-V2-WMS.pdf) recommend magnesium sulfate as an option for severe asthma exacerbations that haven't improved enough with initial treatments.

What are common side effects with magnesium sulfate?

Magnesium sulfate is a generally well-tolerated medication and doesn't have many side effects. Some [possible side effects](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554553/#article-24644.s5) include flushing or a feeling of warmth during administration of the medication. If magnesium sulfate is given too quickly through the veins or too high of a dose is used, it could cause low blood pressure.

magnesium sulfate

Q: How does magnesium sulfate work?

Magnesium plays [several important roles](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554553/#article-24644.s3) to help you stay healthy. This electrolyte is important for muscle and nerve function, as well as for maintaining a normal heartbeat. Additionally, magnesium is required for hundreds of other processes in your body to work properly.

Q: How much magnesium sulfate will I receive?

The [dose](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e175d329-315f-4f3b-bb4c-06ad4e042967) for magnesium sulfate varies widely, depending on why you need the medication. Your or your child's provider will determine the right dose. People with kidney problems typically need lower doses than usual. This helps prevent [high magnesium levels](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549811/) that can occur when the kidneys don't work as well, since the [kidneys](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4455820/) help regulate the levels of this electrolyte in the body.

Generic Magnesium Sulfate

Used for Magnesium Deficiency, Preeclampsia

Magnesium sulfate is typically used in the hospital to treat or prevent low magnesium levels. It's also used to prevent and manage seizures in preeclampsia-eclampsia (a complication of pregnancy). Additionally, magnesium sulfate may be used for other conditions. It's a generally well-tolerated medication and usually given as an injection by a healthcare provider.

Reviewed by:

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP

Cydnee Ng, PharmD

Last reviewed on April 13, 2022

What is Magnesium sulfate?

Are you looking for information on magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia), or magnesium citrate instead?

Drug facts

Common Brands	None available
Drug Class	Electrolyte
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

None available

Drug Class

Electrolyte

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Common questions about Magnesium Sulfate

Magnesium Sulfate is an electrolyte supplement that's typically given in the hospital as an injection by a healthcare provider. It can help raise your blood magnesium levels if it gets too low. Magnesium Sulfate can also help prevent seizures that can happen if you're pregnant and have severe preeclampsia-eclampsia. There are several other uses of Magnesium Sulfate that aren't FDA approved, but are recommended by certain reputable, professional organizations based on clinical evidence ("off-label" use). The American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) recommends Magnesium Sulfate as a first-choice medication for a severe, irregular heart rhythm called torsades de pointes. Additionally, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines recommend Magnesium Sulfate as an option for severe asthma exacerbations that haven't improved enough with initial treatments.

Magnesium plays several important roles to help you stay healthy. This electrolyte is important for muscle and nerve function, as well as for maintaining a normal heartbeat. Additionally, magnesium is required for hundreds of other processes in your body to work properly.

The dose for Magnesium Sulfate varies widely, depending on why you need the medication. Your or your child's provider will determine the right dose. People with kidney problems typically need lower doses than usual. This helps prevent high magnesium levels that can occur when the kidneys don't work as well, since the kidneys help regulate the levels of this electrolyte in the body.

Magnesium Sulfate is a generally well-tolerated medication and doesn't have many side effects. Some possible side effects include flushing or a feeling of warmth during administration of the medication. If Magnesium Sulfate is given too quickly through the veins or too high of a dose is used, it could cause low blood pressure.

Magnesium sulfate dosage

Typical dosage for Magnesium sulfate

Interactions between Magnesium sulfate and other drugs

Magnesium sulfate may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Magnesium sulfate. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.