BRONCHODILATING EFFECT OF INHALED AND INTRAVENOUS MAGNESIUM-SULFATE (COMPARED WITH AERESOL TERBUTALINE)

Abstract

The bronchodilating effect of intravenous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) was studied in 25 asthmatic patients with mild to moderate bronchial reactivity. Subjects received, in random order, on separate days, 3 days apart, saline (NaCl) and MgSO4 inhalation. Spirometry was recorded on each test day before and 5 minutes after NaCl and MgSO4 inhalation. Neither NaCl nor MgSO4 were found to have a significant effect on spirometric measurements. Three days later the patients were administered with an intravenous infusion of saline placebo and 2 g Of MgSO4. Magnesium sulfate infusion rapidly relieved bronchoconstriction and produced significant improvement in lung function measurements.