What is the antidote for magnesium toxicity?

What is the antidote for magnesium toxicity?

• A. Vitamin D
• B. Calcium chloride
• C. Calcium gluconate
• D. Naloxone

Answer: (C)

Magnesium toxicity depresses neuromuscular transmission and can slow heart function, so reversing those effects quickly is crucial. Calcium acts as an antagonist to magnesium at the neuromuscular junction and in cardiac tissue. Giving calcium gluconate IV provides calcium ions that restore normal excitability, helping to reverse symptoms like weakness, decreased reflexes, and respiratory or cardiovascular depression. This makes calcium gluconate the preferred antidote for rapid reversal. Calcium gluconate is favored over other calcium salts for peripheral IV use because it’s safer to administer; calcium chloride can also supply calcium but carries a higher risk of tissue irritation if it leaks into surrounding tissue. Vitamin D and naloxone don’t address magnesium toxicity, so they aren’t appropriate antidotes in this scenario.

Magnesium toxicity depresses neuromuscular transmission and can slow heart function, so reversing those effects quickly is crucial. Calcium acts as an antagonist to magnesium at the neuromuscular junction and in cardiac tissue. Giving calcium gluconate IV provides calcium ions that restore normal excitability, helping to reverse symptoms like weakness, decreased reflexes, and respiratory or cardiovascular depression. This makes calcium gluconate the preferred antidote for rapid reversal. Calcium gluconate is favored over other calcium salts for peripheral IV use because it’s safer to administer; calcium chloride can also supply calcium but carries a higher risk of tissue irritation if it leaks into surrounding tissue. Vitamin D and naloxone don’t address magnesium toxicity, so they aren’t appropriate antidotes in this scenario.