Magnesium injection dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes magnesium injection’s dosages and strength and covers details on how it’s given. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for magnesium. If you want to know more about magnesium injection, talk with your doctor.

Magnesium injection is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version.

Form and strength of magnesium

Magnesium injection comes as follows:

• Form: a solution that you receive by injection into a muscle or by infusion into a vein
• Strength: 5 grams (g) per 10 milliliters (5 g/10 mL)

Dosage of magnesium

This article describes the recommended dosages for magnesium injection. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage you need for your condition.

Usual recommended dosages of magnesium in adults

Magnesium injection is approved for the following uses in adults:

• increase low magnesium level (sometimes called magnesium deficiency)
• treat preeclampsia or eclampsia, which are forms of high blood pressure during pregnancy
• supplement nutrition

For more examples of conditions that magnesium injection treats, see the prescribing information.

The table below shows recommended dosages of magnesium injection for these uses. It includes the route of administration: injection into a muscle (IM) or infusion into a vein (IV). Most of the dosages are in grams (g), but you’ll see one in milligrams per kilograms (mg/kg). Your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage that gives the desired outcome.

* This measure depends on body weight. For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb). For example, a doctor using the drug for a person weighing 70 kg (about 154 lb) would prescribe 17,500 mg. This converts to 17.5 g.
† For IV infusion, magnesium is diluted in dextrose or sodium chloride. Diluting it prevents a rapid rise in the levels.

Dosages of magnesium in children

Magnesium injection is approved for the following uses in children:

• treat low magnesium levels (sometimes called magnesium deficiency) in infants and children through age 18 years
• supplement nutrition in infants and children through age 18 years

For more examples of conditions that magnesium injection treats, see the prescribing information.

The table below shows recommended dosages of magnesium injection for these uses. It includes the route of administration: injection into a muscle (IM) or infusion into a vein (IV). Most of the dosages are in grams (g), but you’ll see one in milligrams per kilograms (mg/kg). Your child’s doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage that gives the desired outcome.

* This measure depends on body weight. For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb). For example, a doctor using the drug for a child weighing 50 kg (about 110 lb) would prescribe 12,500 mg. This converts to 12.5 grams.
† For IV infusion, magnesium is diluted in dextrose or sodium chloride. Diluting it prevents a rapid rise in the levels.

Dosage adjustments for magnesium

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of magnesium injection based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• how well your kidneys are working
• other health conditions you may have

Missed dose of magnesium

Talk with your doctor right away if you forgot an appointment to receive a dose of magnesium injection. They can advise you on what to do and help you with rescheduling your appointment.

For tips on how to avoid missing appointments for your doses of magnesium injection, you could try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about magnesium injection and its dosage.

Is the maximum dose of magnesium for females and males* different?

No, it’s not different. The dosage of magnesium your doctor prescribes depends on your condition.

The drugmaker provides recommended dosages for the conditions magnesium injection is approved to treat. Using that information, your doctor will determine what dosage is best for you.

If you have questions about your magnesium dosage, talk with your doctor.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “females” and “males” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Is magnesium used long term?

No, doctors don’t typically prescribe magnesium injection as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term use.

If you have questions about receiving magnesium injection, talk with your doctor.

How magnesium is used

Magnesium injection will be given as directed by your doctor. Typically, a healthcare professional will give you your doses. They’ll do so by injection into your muscle or by infusion into your vein. If you receive your doses from a healthcare professional, they’ll monitor you after administration.

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe that you give yourself magnesium injections. If so, your doctor or pharmacist will instruct you how to do so.

Magnesium coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for magnesium when using the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of magnesium

It’s important that you do not receive more magnesium than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of magnesium overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• a serious drop in blood pressure
• being unable to breathe

What to do if you receive too much magnesium

If you think you’ve received too much magnesium, call your doctor right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for magnesium injection. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Will my dosage of magnesium injection be changed if it’s not working for my condition?
• Does my dosage of magnesium injection need to change because of other drugs I take?
• Would a different dosage of magnesium injection raise or lower my risk of side effects?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.