Magnesium hydroxide

Direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Administrative data

Endpoint:

direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

4 (not assignable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

abstract

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

1981

Materials and methods

Study type:

poisoning incident

Endpoint addressed:

acute toxicity: oral

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Description of a poisoning incident with magnesium sulphate

GLP compliance:

not specified

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Magnesium sulphate

EC Number:

231-298-2

EC Name:

Magnesium sulphate

Cas Number:

7487-88-9

Molecular formula:

H2O4S.Mg

IUPAC Name:

Magnesium Sulphate

Method

Type of population:

general

Subjects:

.

Ethical approval:

not specified

Route of exposure:

oral

Reason of exposure:

intentional

Results and discussion

Any other information on results incl. tables

A 38-year-old white woman had a mason-type operation seventeen months previously. She had recently had a barium enema during investigation of lower abdominal pain. Two tablespoons of Epsom salts (70 g magnesium sulphate) were taken for bowel preparation, as instructed. They were taken with half a cup of lukewarm water, followed by a small amount of orange juice. Within ten minutes of taking the purgative, she experienced a feeling of "internal heat" followed by prostration. Severe hypotonia, absence of peripheral reflexes, slurred speech, blood pressure 115/75 mm Hg, pulse rate 60/min and cold, clammy skin, increased intestinal motility, vomiting and respiratory depression were noted. On arrival at the casualty department a blood sample was taken and again seventeen hours later. She was treated with 15 ml of calcium gluconate intravenously upon admission.

 

A blood sample showed a serum magnesium level of 2.93 mmol/L. This fell to 1.3 mmol/L seventeen hours later (normal value < 1.0 mmol/L). On administration of calcium gluconate her clinical condition improved dramatically within the next few minutes.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

In conclusion, magnesium poisoning was observed in a patient who was administered 70 g magnesium sulphate having previously undergone a Mason-type gastric operation.

Executive summary:

In a poisioning incident described by Aucamp et al., a 38-year-old white woman had a mason-type operation seventeen months previously. She had recently had a barium enema during investigation of lower abdominal pain. Two tablespoons of Epsom salts (70 g magnesium sulphate) were taken for bowel preparation, as instructed. They were taken with half a cup of lukewarm water, followed by a small amount of orange juice. Within ten minutes of taking the purgative, she experienced a feeling of "internal heat" followed by prostration. Severe hypotonia, absence of peripheral reflexes, slurred speech, blood pressure 115/75 mm Hg, pulse rate 60/min and cold, clammy skin, increased intestinal motility, vomiting and respiratory depression were noted. On arrival at the casualty department a blood sample was taken and again seventeen hours later. She was treated with 15 ml of calcium gluconate intravenously upon admission.

 

A blood sample showed a serum magnesium level of 2.93 mmol/L. This fell to 1.3 mmol/L seventeen hours later (normal value < 1.0 mmol/L). On administration of calcium gluconate her clinical condition improved dramatically within the next few minutes.

 

In conclusion, magnesium poisoning was observed in a patient who was administered 70 g magnesium sulphate having previously undergone a Mason-type gastric operation.