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Jou DH, Kim SI, Choi IH, Song SH, Oh TR, Suh SH, Choi HS, Kim CS, Kim SW, Bae EH, Ma SK. Fatal Hypermagnesemia in Patients Taking Magnesium Hydroxide. Electrolyte Blood Press 2023; 21:66-71. [PMID: 38152602 PMCID: PMC10751210 DOI: 10.5049/ebp.2023.21.2.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypermagnesemia is a rare but potentially fatal electrolyte disorder often overlooked because of its unfamiliarity. Magnesium is regulated through a balance of bone, intestinal absorption, and renal excretion. Hypermagnesemia typically arises from excessive magnesium intake or reduced renal excretion; however, it also occurs in patients with normal kidney function. Herein, we report two cases of hypermagnesemia in patients taking magnesium hydroxide for constipation. The first case involved an 82-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease who developed metabolic encephalopathy due to hypermagnesemia, after taking 3,000 mg of magnesium hydroxide daily for constipation. Her magnesium level was 9.9 mg/dL. Her treatment involved discontinuing magnesium hydroxide and continuing hemodialysis, which led to her recovery. In the second case, a 50-year-old woman with a history of cerebral hemorrhage and mental retardation developed hypermagnesemia despite having normal renal function. She was also taking magnesium hydroxide for constipation, and her magnesium level was 11.0 mg/dL. She experienced cardiac arrest while preparing for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). After achieving return of spontaneous circulation, CRRT was initiated, and her magnesium level showed a decreasing trend. However, vital signs and lactate levels did not recover, leading to death. These cases highlight the importance of prompt diagnosis and intervention for hypermagnesemia and the need to regularly monitor magnesium levels in individuals receiving magnesium-containing preparations, especially those with impaired kidney function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Hye Jou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Su In Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - In Hong Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Hyun Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Ryom Oh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Heon Suh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Sang Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Seong Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Wan Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Hui Bae
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Kwon Ma
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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