INN monograph
Magnesium Sulphate injection
Vitamin / mineral / nutritional supplement · POM
Verified · Updated 01 Aug 2026 · Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; Professional class pharmacology (Vitamin / mineral / nutritional supplement)
Kenya market
Wholesale / list prices where loaded
Risk first
Contraindications
- Hypervitaminosis risk states (hypercalcaemia for vitamin D/A).
- Iron: avoid in iron overload.
- Potassium: severe hyperkalaemia / untreated Addison's.
Precautions
- Treat confirmed deficiency with monitored repletion.
- Avoid megadoses without indication.
- Iron: keep away from children (overdose lethal).
Point of care
Dosing
Adult
Seizures in eclampsia: a variety of doses have been employed. It can be given IM as heptahydrate at a dose of up to 5gm. Also adminis- tered by IV inf in glucose 5% in dosage not exceeding 30 to 40gm daily [dose reduced in cases of renal failure]. Hypomagnesaemia [severe]: IV inf in glucose 5% in dosage not exceeding 35 to 75 mmol on the first day followed by 25mmol daily [max 160mmol].
Paediatric
See label paediatric section if present; otherwise use paediatric formulary — do not extrapolate adult doses.
Renal
Fat-soluble vitamins and potassium need care in advanced CKD.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic
Vitamin A toxicity hepatic; niacin hepatotoxicity at high dose.
Safety
Drug interactions
- Prefer food-first then targeted replacement.
- Document laboratory indication for high-dose therapy.
- Public health: vitamin A, iron, folate programmes per MoH guidance.
Safety
Adverse effects
- Allergic reactions
- hypermagnesaemia [symptoms of which are nausea, vomiting
- flushing, thirst, hypotension due to peripheral vasodilatation, drowsiness, confusion, arrhythmias, loss of tendon reflexes due to neuromuscular blocking agents, coma, cardiac arrest, muscle weakness, respiratory depression
Use
Indications
- Magnesium deficiency and hypomag- nesaemia
- seizures in eclampsia
- convulsion in acute uraemia
- premature labour
- myocardial infarction Clinical selection for Magnesium Sulphate injection should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
- Class context: Vitamin / mineral / nutritional supplement.
- Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Pharmacology
Mode of action
Magnesium has an important role in maintaining the ion balance in muscles.
Full mechanism text
Magnesium has an important role in maintaining the ion balance in muscles. Vitamins and minerals act as cofactors, antioxidants, structural elements or hormone precursors (e.g. vitamin D endocrine axis). Pharmacological high-dose effects differ from nutritional repletion.
ADME
Pharmacokinetics & PD
| Onset | Days–weeks for repletion |
|---|---|
| Duration | Depends on stores and ongoing intake |
| Route | ORAL / IM / IV (selected) |
| Absorption | depends on GI integrity, food matrix and binders (e.g. calcium/iron interactions). Fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K) accumulate; water-soluble generally renally cleared. |
Kenya
Brands & prices
| Brand | Company | Pack | KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magatas, Tasa | Independent / Registered Supplier | Standard Commercial Pack | 770.00 |
| Magneon | Neon Laboratories Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Magnesium Sulphate, by Kilitch | Kilitch Drugs | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Magnesium Sulphate, by Medisel | Distributed by Medisel (K) Limited | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Magnesium Sulphate, Martindale | Martindale Pharmaceuticals | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Nalepsin | Beximco Pharma | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
Special populations
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Folic acid preconception/first trimester critical. Iron/folate common in ANC. Avoid excess vitamin A.
Lactation
Maternal repletion often appropriate; avoid megadoses.
Diet
Food & alcohol
- Food
- Food
Trust
Sources & disclaimer
Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; Professional class pharmacology (Vitamin / mineral / nutritional supplement)
Last reviewed: 01 Aug 2026
Decision support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment, product SmPC, or Kenya STG/EML.