Does magnesium sulfate reduce the short- and long-term requirements for pain relief after caesarean delivery? A double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Jun;194(6):1596-602; discussion 1602-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2006.01.009. Epub 2006 Apr 17.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether magnesium sulfate decreases postoperative pain and analgesic consumption.

Study design: Women who underwent elective cesarean delivery were randomized into groups according to high-dose magnesium sulfate (50 mg/kg load and 2 g/h), low-dose magnesium sulfate (25 mg/kg load and 1 g/h), or placebo. Before the delivery, the dose of patient-controlled opioid that was used and the visual analogs of pain during the first 48 hours after delivery and at 6 weeks were assessed.

Results: Forty-two women were assigned randomly to the high-dose arm; 38 women were assigned to the low-dose magnesium arms, and 40 women were assigned to the control arm. The cumulative opioid use (P = .636); pain scores at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours at rest (P = .786) and with movement (P = .179); the use of analgesics after hospital discharge (P = .711); and wound pain with movement (P = .429) or pressure (P = .144) after 6 weeks were similar.

Conclusion: Magnesium sulfate does not reduce the severity of short-term or long-term (6 weeks) pain after cesarean delivery.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analgesics / administration & dosage
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use*
  • Analgesics, Opioid / administration & dosage
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Cesarean Section*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnesium Sulfate / administration & dosage
  • Magnesium Sulfate / therapeutic use*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pain, Postoperative / physiopathology
  • Pain, Postoperative / therapy*
  • Palliative Care*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Failure

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Magnesium Sulfate