Magnesium Sulphate as a life saving agent for eclamotic women & possibly prevention of the preterm labour

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·         The problem of dosing of Mag so4  is due to manufacturers of India as they manufacture Mg So4 in different strengths. For instance, Mg So4 is dispensed as A) 25%w/v  as well as 50% w/v . This cause confusion amongst us and ward nurses. Further some sample contain 1 ml , some again as 2 ml .Fortunately no multidose vial is available, Thank God. 1 amp has 2ml equivalent to 1gm of MgSO4.  However the take home meassage is  If it is  a) 25% w/v, then 1 amp of 2 ml contains 0.5 GM's magnesium. But If it is a 50% w/v, then 1 amp of 2ml will contain 1 GM magnesium.

What is the dose then??  A) Route A:-I M dose is 5 gm on each buttock i.e. total 10 ml deep IM(if each amp contains 0.5 Gm)  with wide bore 18 gauze needle. ?? & B)  Route B is :-- 4 gm iv over 10 minutes  or in 200 ml of normal saline over 20 minutes. This is followed by 1-2. gm per hour iv as infusion

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What is Pritchard regimen :
Loading dose-
4gm slow iv bolus dose as 20% solution (4amp /8ml + 12 ml NS) & 5GM IM each buttock
(total 14gm loading dose). This is to be  followed by 5gm IM 4 th hrly till 24 hrs. after the last convulsion or delivery