Iatrogenic hypomagnesemia: an underestimated clinical problem

Italian Journal of Medicine

Gabriella Nucera¹  Adriana Pellegrino¹  Antonio Villa¹  Francesca Campanini¹  Annamaria Boschiero¹  Elena Martinoli¹  Paolo Zanada² 

[1] Department of Emergency Medicine, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Milano;Laboratory of Analyses, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Milano;

关键词: Hypomagnesemia;    proton pump inhibitors;    metformin;    diuretics.;   

DOI  :  10.4081/itjm.2015.521

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Hypomagnesemia is defined by having a serum magnesium level of less than 1.7 mg/dL. The magnesium balance is tightly regulated by the concerted actions of the intestine, bone and kidneys. This balance can be disturbed by a wide variety of drugs. Recently, we observed a case of severe hypomagnesemia caused by proton pump inhibitor therapy. We conducted a retrospective study of an intrahospital population to evaluate the prevalence of hypomagnesemia and the relationship with associated drugs. Among 181 patients with hypomagnesemia only 29 were found to have hypomagnesemia with specific causes, such as chronic diarrhea, vomiting, and so on. In the remaining patients, 120 have taken proton pump inhibitors and/or diuretics and/or metformin. Clinicians should consider proton pump inhibitors as a possible causative agent when investigating hypomagnesemia and they should be especially attentive with patients who take proton pump inhibitors, especially in cases of long-term therapy (≥1 year) and/or concomitant administration of other agents that may lower magnesium levels (e.g., diuretics or metformin).

【 授权许可】

Unknown