What is the treatment for Magnesium toxicity?

The treatment for magnesium toxicity primarily involves the administration of calcium gluconate or calcium chloride. This is because high levels of magnesium can lead to cardiovascular and neuromuscular complications, including hypotension, respiratory depression, and cardiac arrest. Calcium acts as an important antagonist to magnesium, helping to stabilize the cardiac muscle and counteract the effects of elevated magnesium levels.

When magnesium levels are toxic, the calcium provided through gluconate or chloride helps restore normal function to the heart and other muscle tissues affected by excess magnesium. It's crucial to recognize that while other treatments, such as increased fluid intake or oxygen therapy, may support overall patient care, they do not directly address the toxic effects of magnesium in the same way that calcium does. Administering sedatives is not a treatment for magnesium toxicity and could potentially worsen respiratory depression in a patient who is already experiencing the sedative effects of high magnesium levels. Thus, the use of calcium-based treatments is the most targeted and effective approach in managing magnesium toxicity.