Intravenous Magnesium Infusion

What is an intravenous magnesium infusion?

Magnesium, by few unique mechanisms can help with the pain management. Intravenous magnesium involves giving magnesium into the circulation to reduce certain types of persistent pain which are difficult to manage through other methods. The procedure involves placing a small cannula in a vein (usually in the back of your hand or arm) and running it as a drip. When the medicine is safely administered, the procedure is usually tolerated well.

Are there any risks?

No injection procedure is completely free from risk. Although magnesium infusion is generally safe, there are some potential risks. Short term side effects may include, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, confusion, double vision, slurred speech, muscle weakness, thirst, flushed skin, a burning sensation at the back of the neck and pain at the site of injection. Precautions will be taken to keep the risks as minimal as possible, and your doctor will discuss the risks with you in person before the infusion is delivered.

Before the procedure

• You will receive the treatment as an outpatient, and will come in for a morning or afternoon appointment

• Do not eat anything for 6 hours prior to the appointment, you may drink water and black tea/ coffee for up to 2 hours prior to the appointment. Please inform your doctor in advance and ask for advice if you are diabetic.

• You may take your regular medication on the treatment day unless advised otherwise by your doctor

• Please bring a list of your current medications with you

• Please inform the doctor of any known allergies.

• Please inform the doctor if there is any possibility that you may be pregnant.

• Please inform the doctor if you have/ have had kidney , liver or heart problems.

• Please inform the doctor if you have any conditions causing muscle weakness.

• Your doctor will discuss the procedure with you and take your consent.

• Your stay will be between 1-2 hours and you should arrange to be driven home afterwards

The procedure

•The procedure is carried out in one of the treatment rooms.

• A small cannula will be inserted into a vein (usually in the back of the hand or arm).

• The staff to monitor and record oxygen levels, pulse rate and blood pressure once every five minutes during the infusion.

• After the infusion the cannula will be removed and a small dressing applied.

Following the procedure

• Please be careful when you first get off the couch – ensure you are steady on your feet.

• When the staff deem you fit to be discharged you can leave and go home.

• Following the infusion it is unsafe to drive immediately. Ensure that you arrange to have a responsible adult to take you back home.

• Take your regular medication and painkillers as normal, unless advised otherwise by your doctor.

• There is no need for bed rest. You can resume your normal activity from the next day onwards, but shouldn’t overly exert yourself the day following the procedure.

• A letter will be sent to your GP describing what you underwent.

The main purpose of these injections is to facilitate some pain-free period which should provide a window period of opportunity to engage with stretching exercises and increased activity level. The need for repeating the injection depends on how you respond to the ligament injections, pain relief, reduction in the need for pain medications, improvement in physical activity etc.