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Weakness from magnesium‐containing cathartics: Electrophysiologic studies
Author(s) -
Swift Thomas R.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.880020409
Subject(s) - hypermagnesemia , cathartic , medicine , stimulation , weakness , anesthesia , muscle weakness , magnesium , neuromuscular blockade , surgery , hypomagnesemia , chemistry , organic chemistry
The case history of a patient with severe muscular weakness resulting from magnesium intoxication following oral and rectal administration of magnesium citrate cathartics is reported. The findings of the electrophysiologic studies were characteristic of the neuromuscular blockade seen in this disorder, including marked reduction in evoked muscle action potential amplitude which progressively declined on nerve stimulation at low rates, and a striking degree of facilitation of evoked muscle action potential after exercise or on high‐frequency stimulation. When the hypermagnesemia was corrected, strength returned to normal.