Reséndiz AJC, Aguirre GE

Language: Spanish
References: 10
Page: 206-214
PDF size: 84.53 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Epilepsy is a disease often seen in Mexico; the knowledge of the antiepileptic drugs, their pharmacology, advantages, and disadvantages is an important issue for physicians. Magnesium (Mg) is for some authors the forgotten ion; it has a huge role in human metabolic reactions. According to its amount we could say that Mg is the second intracellular cation, one of its main actions is being a vital co-factor in ATP metabolism. Some commonly used drugs contain magnesium in very small quantities; so, under rational use of such medications, magnesium toxicity is virtually impossible. The broad spectrum antiepileptic drug valproate has in Mexico a magnesium-bound formula (magnesium valproate), and is one of the most used in mexican patients who suffer of epilepsy, specially children. This paper reviews the importance of magnesium in humans, its balance, the most frequent causes of hypo- and hypermagnesemia and analyzes the specific quantity of magnesium contained in the formula of magnesium valproate. As a conclusion, we finally consider that there is no risk at all of metabolic disturbances caused by magnesium for patients when the recommended dosage is taken. And, on the other hand, magnesium doesn’t provide additional antiepileptic protection in the magnesium valproate formula.

REFERENCES

1. Feria VA, Martínez MD, Rubio DF. Epilepsia aspectos neurobiológicos, médicos y sociales. 1a. Ed. INNN; 1997.

2. Roger J. Bureau M, Dravet Ch, Genton P, Tassinari CA, Wolf P. Epileptic syndromes in infancy, childhood and adolescence. 4th. Ed. John Libbey; 2005.

3. Fisher RS. Engel JJr. Epileptic seizures and epilepsy: definitions proposed by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE). Epilepsia 2005; 46(4): 470-72.

4. Rubio DF, Reséndiz AJC, Sentíes MH, Alonso VM, Salgado LP, Ramos PJ. Epilepsia. Programa prioritario de epilepsia. Sector Salud; 2007.

5. Narins, Maxwell & Kleeman S. Clinical Disorders of Fluid and Electrolyte Metabolism. 5th. Ed. 1994, p. 373- 92, 1099-15.

6. Du Bose, Hamm Acid-Base an Electrolyte Disorders. Ed. Saunders; 2002.

7. Birrer RB, Shallash AJ, Totten V. Hypermagnesemia-induced fatality following epsom salt gargles. J Emerg Med 2002; 22(2): 185-8.

8. Harker HE, Majcher TA. Hypermagnesemia in a pediatric patient. Anesth Analg 2000; 91(5): 1160-2.

9. DEF. Diccionario de Especialidades Farmacéuticas. 52 th. Ed. México: Ediciones PLM; 2006.

10. Schatzberg AF, Cole JO. Manual of clinical Psychopharmacology. Ars Médica; 2007.