 |
|
O n behalf of Blaine Company, Inc, I would like to respond to the article, "Hypermagnesemia: Elderly Over-the-counter Drug Users at Risk"-Reply
Debra Bowen, MD
Rockville, Md
Arch Fam Med. 1996;5(6):324.
|
|
| Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings. |
|
|
|
In reply
We read with interest the letters from Shechter and Blaine commenting on our recent publication of a case of magnesium intoxication due to antacid misuse. These letters raise interesting points, but they miss the major message in our report.
Undoubtedly, clinically significant hypermagnesemia is infrequent in people with normal renal function. The purpose of our report was to raise awareness among medical professionals that hypermagnesemia can develop if patients misuse magnesium-containing products when they are taking certain concomitant medications and/or have coexisting gastrointestinal disease. We must stress that labeled and legitimate use of these products is both safe and effective. However, some consumers misuse magnesium-containing products1,2 and misuse of laxatives and antacids is not uncommon.3-5 Further, in addition to electrolyte imbalance, misuse of many of these products may cause dehydration, metabolic alkalosis, or milk alkali syndrome.
We agree that hypomagnesemia may develop from poor diet or decreased gastrointestinal
. . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]
|
