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Fatal Hypermagnesemia Due to Laxative Use

Fatal Hypermagnesemia Due to Laxative Use

Syed Rizwan Bokhari, Ravi Siriki, Federico J Teran, Vecihi Batuman

Am J Med Sci. 2018 Apr;355(4):390-395.

PMID: 29661354

Abstract:

We report a case of fatal hypermagnesemia in a 53-year-old woman admitted for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and with a history of chronic constipation treated regularly with magnesium-containing laxatives. On admission, her magnesium level was 2.0mg/dL, which rose to a peak of 10.8mg/dL despite hydration and diuresis in the presence of a normal kidney function. Continuous renal replacement therapy was promptly initiated, which reduced her serum magnesium levels, but her condition continued to deteriorate precipitously progressing to shock leading to oligoanuric renal failure, and she died 2 days later. A review of the literature shows that though rare and often unsuspected, severe hypermagnesemia frequently results in death even in individuals with normal renal function despite renal replacement therapy. In patients with constipation, retention of magnesium-based laxative in the gut apparently serves as a reservoir for continuous magnesium absorption and contributes to mortality.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP41372105-A	Citric acid sesquipiperazine salt hydrate		41372-10-5	Price

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