The effect of magnesium sulfate loading dose and body mass index in achieving therapeutic levels

Abstract

Due to the increased volume of distribution in obesity, many medications are weight-based including anticoagulation and prophylactic antibiotics for cesarean delivery. Intravenous magnesium sulfate, used for the prevention of eclamptic seizures, fetal neuroprotection, and tocolysis is administered via a 4-6 g load followed by a 2g/hr maintenance dose, but there are no specific recommendations for dosing as a function of body mass index (BMI). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of magnesium loading dose on side effect profile and ability to achieve therapeutic levels, as a function of BMI.