Drug-induced hypomagnesemia

Several drugs can cause significant hypomagnesemia, primarily by inducing renal wasting of the electrolyte. When using these agents, the patient should be monitored closely for signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia and serum magnesium levels should be measured periodically. Aggressive supplementation with either oral or parenteral magnesium may be warranted. Caution should be observed with supplementation in the patient with renal dysfunction; such patients are at risk for hypermagnesemia.