Hypomagnesemia - Treatment

Alternative Names

Low blood magnesium; Magnesium - low

Treatment:

The cause of hypomagnesemia must be diagnosed and treated. Treatment depends on the type of hypomagnesemia, but may include:

Fluids given through a vein (IV)
Magnesium by mouth or through a vein
Medication to relieve symptoms

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome depends on the condition that is causing the problem.

Complications:

Cardiac arrest
Death
Respiratory arrest

Calling your health care provider:

Hypomagnesemia can be a life-threatening emergency. Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of this condition.

Reviewed last on: 5/29/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Pollak MR, Yu ASL, Taylor EN. Disorders of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous balance. In: Brenner BM, ed. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 16.

Yu ASL. Disorders of magnesium and phosphorous. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 120.

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