Biomaterial Database

Use of magnesium sulfate in alcohol withdrawal. 1987

C K Embry, and S Lippmann

Magnesium deficiency plays an important role in alcohol withdrawal syndromes. Parenteral replacement of magnesium in the form of magnesium sulfate is safe and diminishes the severity of withdrawal symptoms in recently alcohol-abstinent patients. Early diagnosis of withdrawal illness and institution of magnesium replacement therapy decrease the need for benzodiazepines, diminish withdrawal complications and reduce the length of hospital stay. Testing for serum magnesium levels is useful, but experience supports the empiric use of magnesium replacement therapy in alcohol withdrawal.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008275	Magnesium Deficiency	A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of magnesium in the diet, characterized by anorexia, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and weakness. Symptoms are paresthesias, muscle cramps, irritability, decreased attention span, and mental confusion, possibly requiring months to appear. Deficiency of body magnesium can exist even when serum values are normal. In addition, magnesium deficiency may be organ-selective, since certain tissues become deficient before others. (Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 12th ed, p1936)	Deficiency, Magnesium,Deficiencies, Magnesium,Magnesium Deficiencies
D008278	Magnesium Sulfate	A small colorless crystal used as an anticonvulsant, a cathartic, and an electrolyte replenisher in the treatment of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. It causes direct inhibition of action potentials in myometrial muscle cells. Excitation and contraction are uncoupled, which decreases the frequency and force of contractions. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1992, p1083)	Magnesium Sulfate, Heptahydrate,Heptahydrate Magnesium Sulfate,Sulfate, Magnesium
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000431	Ethanol	A clear, colorless liquid rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed throughout the body. It has bactericidal activity and is used often as a topical disinfectant. It is widely used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations as well as serving as the primary ingredient in ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.	Alcohol, Ethyl,Absolute Alcohol,Grain Alcohol,Alcohol, Absolute,Alcohol, Grain,Ethyl Alcohol
D013375	Substance Withdrawal Syndrome	Physiological and psychological symptoms associated with withdrawal from the use of a drug after prolonged administration or habituation. The concept includes withdrawal from smoking or drinking, as well as withdrawal from an administered drug.	Drug Withdrawal Symptoms,Withdrawal Symptoms,Drug Withdrawal Symptom,Substance Withdrawal Syndromes,Symptom, Drug Withdrawal,Symptom, Withdrawal,Symptoms, Drug Withdrawal,Symptoms, Withdrawal,Syndrome, Substance Withdrawal,Syndromes, Substance Withdrawal,Withdrawal Symptom,Withdrawal Symptom, Drug,Withdrawal Symptoms, Drug,Withdrawal Syndrome, Substance,Withdrawal Syndromes, Substance