Magnesium sulfate (medication)

Magnesium sulfate
	Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate
Clinical data
Trade names	Epsom salt, others
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
Routes of; administration	IV, IM, by mouth, topical
ATC code	A06AD04 (WHO) A12CC02 (WHO). B05XA05 (WHO). D11AX05 (WHO). V04CC02 (WHO);
Identifiers
CAS Number	7487-88-9 ; heptahydrate: 10034-99-8 ;
PubChem CID	24083;
DrugBank	DB00653;
ChemSpider	22515;
UNII	ML30MJ2U7I; heptahydrate: SK47B8698T ;
ChEBI	CHEBI:32599;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL2021423;
Chemical and physical data
Formula	MgSO4 – 7H2O
Molar mass	246.47 (Magnesium Sulfate Heptahydrate)
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
	SMILES [O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-].[Mg+2];
	InChI InChI=1S/Mg.H2O4S/c;1-5(2,3)4/h;(H2,1,2,3,4)/q+2;/p-2; Key:CSNNHWWHGAXBCP-UHFFFAOYSA-L;

Magnesium sulfate as a medication is used to treat and prevent low blood magnesium and seizures in women with eclampsia. It is also used in the treatment of torsades de pointes, severe asthma exacerbations, constipation, and barium poisoning. It is given by injection into a vein or muscle as well as by mouth. As epsom salts, it is also used for mineral baths.

Common side effects include low blood pressure, skin flushing, and low blood calcium. Other side effects may include vomiting, muscle weakness, and decreased breathing. While there is evidence that use during pregnancy may harm the baby, the benefits in certain conditions are greater than the risks. Its use during breastfeeding is deemed to be safe. The way it works is not fully understood, but is believed to involve depressing the action of neurons.

Magnesium sulfate came into medical use at least as early as 1618. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. In 2021, magnesium salts were the 211th most commonly prescribed medication, with more than 2 million prescriptions.