Table 6. Prevention of convulsions with magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (MgSO₄ 7H₂O).

I. Attack dose: 4 g of MgSO4 (8 mL of 50% MgSO4 7H2O diluted in 12 mL of distilled water) IV in 5–10 minutes.

II. Maintenance dose IV: 0.6–2 g/h IV (dilute 10 mL of 50% MgSO4 7H2O in 240 mL of saline solution and infuse at a rate of 50 mL/hour (1 g/hour) or 100 mL/hour (2 g/hour) continuously. Every 120 minutes, check if diuresis is preserved (> 25 mL/hour) and if tendon reflexes are present.

III. Maintenance dose IM:* 10 mL at 50% in the upper outer quadrant of the buttock every 4 hours (alternating buttocks). Evaluate diuresis (> 25 mL/hour) and patellar reflexes before each application.

Abbreviations: IM, intramuscular; IV, intravenous.

Note:* Especially useful for transporting patients in ambulance and in ambulatories, situations in which IV infusion control is precarious.