Iatrogenic Hyperkalemia Induced by Hypermagnesemia From Administration of Laxatives in a Patient With Gastroparesis

Magnesium-containing drugs such as magnesium citrate are popular over-the-counter laxatives used to treat constipation. Although generally well tolerated, excessive intake can result in potentially dangerous electrolyte abnormalities. Of these abnormalities, hyperkalemia is one that is heavily under...

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Main Authors: Hafez Golzarian, Morgan Turnow, Sidney Elston, Alaha Mariam, Sidra Shah, Syed H. Haq, Benjamin Pasley, Chris Hawkins, Jayde E. Kurland
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American College of Physicians 2022-10-01
Series:Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
Online Access:https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2022.0634
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author Hafez Golzarian
Morgan Turnow
Sidney Elston
Alaha Mariam
Sidra Shah
Syed H. Haq
Benjamin Pasley
Chris Hawkins
Jayde E. Kurland
author_facet Hafez Golzarian
Morgan Turnow
Sidney Elston
Alaha Mariam
Sidra Shah
Syed H. Haq
Benjamin Pasley
Chris Hawkins
Jayde E. Kurland
author_sort Hafez Golzarian
collection DOAJ
description Magnesium-containing drugs such as magnesium citrate are popular over-the-counter laxatives used to treat constipation. Although generally well tolerated, excessive intake can result in potentially dangerous electrolyte abnormalities. Of these abnormalities, hyperkalemia is one that is heavily underreported. We report an elderly woman who presented for gastroparesis flare-up and constipation. She was given magnesium citrate and subsequently developed hypermagnesemia, which resulted in hyperkalemia. By presenting this case, we hope to increase awareness of this heavily underreported side effect of magnesium-based laxatives, especially in the setting of gastrointestinal disturbances that may affect the absorption of these electrolytes.
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series Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
spelling doaj-art-0583ee8bdbfe4921bb3d09832dd4d67b2025-08-20T02:13:01ZengAmerican College of PhysiciansAnnals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases2767-76642022-10-011810.7326/aimcc.2022.0634Iatrogenic Hyperkalemia Induced by Hypermagnesemia From Administration of Laxatives in a Patient With GastroparesisHafez Golzarian0Morgan Turnow1Sidney Elston2Alaha Mariam3Sidra Shah4Syed H. Haq5Benjamin Pasley6Chris Hawkins7Jayde E. Kurland81Mercy Health–St. Rita's Medical Center GME, Department of Internal Medicine, Lima, Ohio2University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pikeville, Kentucky2University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pikeville, Kentucky1Mercy Health–St. Rita's Medical Center GME, Department of Internal Medicine, Lima, Ohio1Mercy Health–St. Rita's Medical Center GME, Department of Internal Medicine, Lima, Ohio1Mercy Health–St. Rita's Medical Center GME, Department of Internal Medicine, Lima, Ohio1Mercy Health–St. Rita's Medical Center GME, Department of Internal Medicine, Lima, Ohio1Mercy Health–St. Rita's Medical Center GME, Department of Internal Medicine, Lima, Ohio3Mercy Health–St. Rita's Medical Center GME, Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Core Faculty, Lima, OhioMagnesium-containing drugs such as magnesium citrate are popular over-the-counter laxatives used to treat constipation. Although generally well tolerated, excessive intake can result in potentially dangerous electrolyte abnormalities. Of these abnormalities, hyperkalemia is one that is heavily underreported. We report an elderly woman who presented for gastroparesis flare-up and constipation. She was given magnesium citrate and subsequently developed hypermagnesemia, which resulted in hyperkalemia. By presenting this case, we hope to increase awareness of this heavily underreported side effect of magnesium-based laxatives, especially in the setting of gastrointestinal disturbances that may affect the absorption of these electrolytes.https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2022.0634
spellingShingle Hafez Golzarian
Morgan Turnow
Sidney Elston
Alaha Mariam
Sidra Shah
Syed H. Haq
Benjamin Pasley
Chris Hawkins
Jayde E. Kurland
Iatrogenic Hyperkalemia Induced by Hypermagnesemia From Administration of Laxatives in a Patient With Gastroparesis
Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
title Iatrogenic Hyperkalemia Induced by Hypermagnesemia From Administration of Laxatives in a Patient With Gastroparesis
title_full Iatrogenic Hyperkalemia Induced by Hypermagnesemia From Administration of Laxatives in a Patient With Gastroparesis
title_fullStr Iatrogenic Hyperkalemia Induced by Hypermagnesemia From Administration of Laxatives in a Patient With Gastroparesis
title_full_unstemmed Iatrogenic Hyperkalemia Induced by Hypermagnesemia From Administration of Laxatives in a Patient With Gastroparesis
title_short Iatrogenic Hyperkalemia Induced by Hypermagnesemia From Administration of Laxatives in a Patient With Gastroparesis
title_sort iatrogenic hyperkalemia induced by hypermagnesemia from administration of laxatives in a patient with gastroparesis
url https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2022.0634
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