Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate as an Adjunct to Intravenous Ketamine for Acute Pain: A Case Series.

A case series of three patients with complex medical histories experienced improved postoperative pain relief when intravenous magnesium sulfate was given together with ketamine. Both drugs block NMDA receptors, which are involved in pain signaling. The report describes difficulties in managing pain after surgery in these patients and notes the beneficial effect of adding magnesium to ketamine. The authors call for more research to determine which patients benefit most and what doses work best.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Intravenous (IV) magnesium sulfate, a versatile electrolyte, plays a pivotal role across various medical domains. From cardiac care to obstetrics, gastrointestinal to pulmonary therapies, the impact is far-reaching among acute care services. Notably, in the postoperative phase of care, it shares intriguing similarities with ketamine as an NMDA receptor antagonist. This case series describes the difficulties experienced with postoperative analgesia in three patient cases with complex comorbidities and discusses the beneficial impact observed when magnesium was administered concomitantly with ketamine. Further research is necessary to outline the specific role, ideal population, and recommended bolus and infusion rate for optimal analgesic efficacy.