title: Is magnesium sulfate by the intrathecal route efficient and safe?
abstract: The polypharmacological approach to the treatment of postoperative pain has become routine in an attempt to minimize the adverse side effects of opioids. Magnesium sulphate is a noncompetitive antagonist of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and thus can modify nociceptive modulation. Intravenous administration of magnesium sulphate can improve postoperative analgesia and decrease the requirement for postoperative opiates, but the effects are inconsistent and have not been reliably accompanied by a reduction in the incidence of morphine-related adverse events. Several studies have shown that the administration of magnesium by the intrathecal route is safe and, in combination with opiates, extends the effect of spinal anaesthesia in both animal and human studies. The analysis of these studies justifies further investigation of the use of magnesium sulphate by the intrathecal route.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, University Hospital of Mongi Slim, La Marsa, Sidi Daoud 2046, Tunisia.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mebazaa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ouerghi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Frikha
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moncer
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mestiri
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ben Ammar
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008274:Magnesium / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D008274:Magnesium