Pharm 101: Magnesium
ACEM Primary Pharmacology of Magnesium: the Pharmacokinetics; Pharmacodynamics; Clinical uses; Adverse effects
Tag magnesium
Magnesium
Magnesium: electrolyte (second most abundant cation in intracellular fluid, after potassium); depresses neuronal activation; essential cofactor in >300 enzyme systems
Hypomagnesaemia
Hypomagnesaemia: Defined as serum magnesium < 0.75 mmol/L; associated with increased ICU mortality
common — affects 10-65% of ICU patients
Is there anything magnesium can’t do?
I’ve often extolled the virtues of magnesium to my residents as well as on twitter. It’s a sign of a well seasoned emergency physician to take any medical problem, and say “a little magnesium couldn’t hurt.” In this instance, a…