Magnesium Sulfate

The Basics On Magnesium Sulfate

What is Magnesium Sulfate?

Commonly known as Epsom salt, a magnesium salt used as a texture enhancer.

What are other names for Magnesium Sulfate?

ANHYDROUS MAGNESIUM SULFATE, EPSOM SALT, MAGNESIUM SALT SULFURIC ACID, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, SULFURIC ACID MAGNESIUM SALT (1:1), and SULFURIC ACID, MAGNESIUM SALT

What is Magnesium Sulfate used for?

Many people use Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) topically to soothe aching muscles, relieve tension, and treat skin conditions like acne. Magnesium is an element in your body and a nutrient you can get from many foods. Magnesium is important in your bones and for healthy muscle, heart, and nerve function.

How Magnesium Sulfate is classified

Texture Enhancer

Recommendations for using Magnesium Sulfate during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Limited data suggests no known risk

 

Magnesium Sulfate During Pregnancy

What we know about using Magnesium Sulfate while pregnant or breastfeeding

Limited information available.

Animal The following doses of magnesium sulfate were administered sc to Crj:CD(SD) female rats 3 times per day on gestation days 15 through 20: 250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg.23 The control group and 250 mg/kg group each consisted of 19 rats. The remaining 2 dose groups each contained 20 rats. Effects of the test material on the dams and F1 animals were examined. Dams dosed with 500 and 1,000 mg/kg had decreased food consumption. Hypolocomotion, pronation, bradypnea, and decreased body weight gain were observed in the 1,000 mg/kg dose group. There were no test material-related effects on delivery or lactation, and necropsy results were normal. Results for F1 animals dosed with 1,000 mg/kg were as follows: low body weight, delays in differentiation (eruption of lower incisor and opening of eyelid), and reversible changes in ribs (wavy ribs). However, there were no test material-related effects on viability, functional examinations, behavioral tests, or reproductive ability. It was concluded that the NOAEL for general toxicological effects on the dams was 250 mg/kg/d (3 times per day) and that the NOAEL for reproductive ability and development were 1,000 mg/kg/d (3 times per day) and 500 mg/kg (3 times per day), respectively. Human Over a period of 14 years, 7,000 infants were born to mothers who had received magnesium sulfate parenterally because of preeclampsia or eclampsia.24 A 50% magnesium sulfate (magnesium sulfate heptahydrate; MgSO4·7H2O, USP) solution was injected intramuscularly (30-40 g doses, over 24 hours) into the gravida. This regimen was continued as long as the mother had demonstrable knee jerks, urine output of at least 100 mL over 4 hours, and no depression of respiration. The serum level of magnesium in the fetus rapidly approached the maternal level but could not be correlated with any adverse effect. Dosing did not have any observable deleterious effects on the fetus or newborn. Five neonates were born to mothers who had been treated iv with magnesium sulfate for tocolysis.25 The neonates were retrospectively reviewed to assess the presence of radiographic, clinical, and biochemical abnormalities. Two infants had radiographic bony abnormalities; one had frank rachitic changes and dental enamel hypoplasia. One of these patients as well as an additional infant had transient hypocalcemia. It was hypothesized that prolonged infusion of magnesium sulfate, especially when initiated during the second trimester, may lead to fetal parathyroid gland suppression, with consequent abnormalities resembling rickets. The effects of maternal magnesium sulfate treatment on newborns were studied.26 The participants in this study were newborn infants, delivered at ≥34 weeks of gestation, whose mothers had received a minimum of 12 hours of iv magnesium sulfate therapy prior to delivery. A total of 26 magnesium-exposed and 26 control infants were enrolled. The mean dose of magnesium sulfate prior to delivery was 51.2 ± 24 g, and the mean duration of therapy was 23.1 ± 10 hours. The mean maternal serum magnesium level before delivery was 5.8 ± 1.1 mg/dL. Infants exposed to magnesium sulfate in utero had a higher incidence of hypotonia and lower median Apgar scores, compared to control infants (P < 0.001). However, there was no association between adverse outcomes and maternal serum magnesium concentrations at the time of delivery, duration of treatment, or dose of magnesium sulfate. Pneumocardiogram data were similar between magnesium sulfate-exposed and control infants (all, P ≥ 0.16). In a controlled trial, mothers in preterm labor were randomized as follows: magnesium sulfate tocolysis (46 mothers and 55 newborns [9 pairs of twins included]) and saline control (28 mothers and 29 newborns).27 Magnesium sulfate was administered as a 4 g bolus, followed by infusion of 2 to 3 g of magnesium sulfate per hour. Children with adverse outcomes had higher umbilical cord magnesium levels at the time of delivery. In regression models that controlled for confounders, which included very low birth weight, magnesium remained a significant risk factor (adjusted odds ratio = 3.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-11.9; P = 0.03) for adverse health outcomes in infants. Dosing with magnesium sulfate was associated with 11 composite adverse pediatric outcomes, which included intraventricular hemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia and cerebral palsy. However, the differences in this trial were not statistically significant (magnesium sulfate: 37% [11 adverse events in 30 infants]; saline solution: 21% [6 adverse events in 29 infants]; P = 0.25). Between January 2000 and February 2009, 6,654 women with preeclampsia were treated with an iv infusion of magnesium sulfate, with the goal of achieving a therapeutic range of 4 to 7 mE/L (2.0-3.5 mmol/L).28 Eighty-eight infants (6% of the infants) were diagnosed with hypotonia. Lower 1-minute and 5-minute Apgar scores, intubation in the delivery room, admission to special care nursery, and hypotonia were all significantly increased as maternal serum magnesium concentrations increased prior to birth.

General safety info about Magnesium Sulfate from CIR

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reviewed the safety of magnesium sulfate, which functions as a bulking agent in cosmetic products and is reportedly used at concentrations up to 11% and 25% in leave-on and rinse-off products, respectively. The Panel noted that the history of safe medical use of magnesium sulfate provides further confidence that there are no significant toxicity concerns relating to systemic exposure to this ingredient after cosmetic product application. Furthermore, the extensive clinical experience of the Panel, including the results of numerous patch tests, indicates that magnesium salts do not have the potential to induce sensitization. The Panel also noted that results were negative for 50% magnesium sulfate in a mouse skin irritation study and in an in vitro sensitization assay. The Panel concluded that magnesium sulfate is safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in the safety assessment.

Use this, not that!

Products where you might find Magnesium Sulfate

The Nue Co. Magnesium Ease (30 ml.); REN Clean Skincare Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Body Wash (10.2 fl. oz.); REN Clean Skincare Atlantic Kelp And Magnesium Salt Anti-Fatigue Exfoliating Body Scrub (11.2 fl. oz.); REN Clean Skincare Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Anti-Fatigue Body Wash – 100% Recycled Plastic; REN Clean Skincare Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Salt Anti-Fatigue Exfoliating Body Scrub; amika Got Grit Dry Texturizing Hair Paste