East Region Formulary
NHS Scotland

Hypomagnesaemia

Borders Intranet - Electrolyte Deficiency Lothian RefHelp Society for Endocrinology Guidance

Treatment of hypomagnesaemia
Magnesium aspartate
Magnaspartate 243mg (magnesium 10mmol) oral powder sachets

One to two sachets (10 - 20 mmol Mg2+) daily dissolved in water.

Magnesium glycerophosphate
Neomag (magnesium 97mg (4mmol)) chewable tablets

Starting dose 1-2 tablets 3 times daily, adjusted according to the serum total magnesium level.

Magnesium sulfate
Magnesium sulfate 20% (magnesium 0.8mmol/ml) solution for injection 20ml vials

Dose according to prescribing guidelines.

Magnesium sulfate 50% (magnesium 2mmol/ml) solution for injection 2ml ampoules

Dose according to prescribing guidelines.

Magnesium sulfate 50% (magnesium 2mmol/ml) solution for injection 5ml ampoules

Dose according to prescribing guidelines.

Magnesium sulfate 50% (magnesium 2mmol/ml) solution for injection 10ml ampoules

Dose according to prescribing guidelines.

Magnesium sulfate 50% (magnesium 2mmol/ml) solution for injection 20ml vials

Dose according to prescribing guidelines.

Prescribing Notes:

  • Diarrhoea is a common side-effect of magnesium supplements and is usually dose dependent.
  • Magnesium is not well absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract. Magnesium aspartate sachets may be used by specialists for the treatment of chronic hypomagnesaemia in doses adjusted according to individual requirements.
  • Magnaspartate powder for oral solution is the preferred oral formulation of magnesium. Other licensed magnesium glycerophosphate products may be used if Magnaspartate is not tolerated.
  • Unless there are valid clinical grounds patients currently prescribed unlicensed formulations of magnesium should be switched to Magnaspartate. The dose should be titrated to the maximum tolerated dose with monitoring of magnesium serum levels.
  • Further prescribing advice can be found from the Society for Endocrinology.

History Notes

20/04/2023

East Region Formulary content agreed.

Treatment of hypomagnesaemia
Magnesium aspartate
Magnesium aspartate (magnesium 10mmol) oral powder sachets

2-3 years: 4.5mmol daily, given as one level 5 ml spoonful of Magnaspartate powder.

4-9 years: 4.5mmol daily, given as a 5ml level spoonful of Magnaspartate powder, alternatively 10mmol daily, given as 1 sachet of Magnaspartate powder.

10-17 years: 10mmol daily, given as 1 sachet of Magnaspartate powder.

Prescribing Notes:

  • Sachets can be dissolved in smaller volumes than the cBNF recommends. They can be dissolved in 50-200ml per sachet.
  • Sachets can be dissolved in orange juice or tea, instead of water.
  • Diarrhoea is a common side-effect of magnesium supplements and is usually dose dependent.

History Notes

10/06/2020

Content migrated from LJF website.