Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate as an Adjunct to Intravenous Ketamine for Acute Pain: A Case Series.
Journal of pain & palliative care pharmacotherapy – June 01, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
When combining magnesium sulfate with ketamine, doctors found a promising way to manage severe pain more effectively. In three challenging cases, patients experiencing acute pain showed significant improvement when receiving both medications together. The magnesium sulfate appeared to enhance ketamine's pain-relieving properties while potentially reducing side effects. This dual approach proved particularly helpful for patients with complex medical conditions who struggled with traditional pain management methods.
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.