INDICATIONS AND USAGE: Magnesium sulfate in 5% dextrose injection, USP is indicated for the prevention and control of seizures in pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, respectively.

When used judiciously it effectively prevents and controls the convulsions of eclampsia without producing deleterious depression of the central nervous system of the mother or infant.

However, other effective drugs are available for this purpose.

WARNINGS: FETAL HARM: Continuous administration of magnesium sulfate beyond 5 to 7 days to pregnant women can lead to hypocalcemia and bone abnormalities in the developing fetus.

These bone abnormalities include skeletal demineralization and osteopenia.

In addition, cases of neonatal fracture have been reported.

The shortest duration of treatment that can lead to fetal harm is not known.

Magnesium sulfate should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

If magnesium sulfate is given for treatment of preterm labor, the woman should be informed that the efficacy and safety of such use have not been established and that use of magnesium sulfate beyond 5 to 7 days may cause fetal abnormalities.

Parenteral use in the presence of renal insufficiency may lead to magnesium intoxication.

ADVERSE REACTIONS: The adverse effects of parenterally administered magnesium usually are the result of magnesium intoxication.

These include flushing, sweating, hypotension, depressed reflexes, flaccid paralysis, hypothermia, circulatory collapse, cardiac and central nervous system depression proceeding to respiratory paralysis.

Hypocalcemia with signs of tetany secondary to magnesium sulfate therapy for eclampsia has been reported.