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Volume 9- No. 11 2021

Educated Hand Publishing LLC 
“The Science Behind the Art” 
Volume 9 - No.11 2021 

 Anesthesia eJournal - Online
ISSN 2333-2611

Page 21

Magnesium Sulfate: A Multi-Modal Adjunct for Post-Operative Analgesia 
Cody R. Justice, BSN, RN, RRNA, Fort Worth, TX

Affiliation:
Texas Christian University 

Grant/Financial Support: 
None 

Biographical data:  
Cody R. Justice is a Resident Registered Nurse Anesthetist pursuing his DNP in Nurse Anesthesia at Texas Christian University in 
Fort Worth, Texas. 

KEYWORDS: Magnesium sulfate, multi-modal, post-operative, non-opioid, and analgesia

Abstract
The goal of multi-modal analgesia is to minimize the use of opioid analgesics intra-operatively and in recovery.1 
Magnesium sulfate(MgSO4), a physiological cation, serves as a multi-modal adjunct in the reduction of opioid use 
in the peri-operative setting.2,7 Historically, opioids have been the choice of providers in treating and controlling 
pain.2,4 Recent literature supports the use of a multi-modal approach to control pain and reduce the amount of opioid 
used.1-6,8 MgSO4, an inexpensive and safe alternative to opioids, has been shown to reduce the amount of opioids 
used in recovery.3,6 MgSO4 is an endogenous electrolyte and antagonist at the NMDA receptor blocking the entry 
of calcium into the cell.2,3,7 The entry of calcium ignites numerous nociceptive pathways leading to a chronic pain and 
a hypersensitivity state to noxious stimuli.7 By antagonizing the NMDA receptor, MgSO4 prevents patients from a 
heightened reaction to stimuli and reduction in opioid use.7 Therefore, the use of MgSO4 as part of a multi-modal 
analgesia approach should be used during anesthesia management to reduce postoperative pain and the consumption 
of opioids during and after surgery.1,4,6 The purpose of this case report is to analyze the analgesic effects of MgSO4 in 
multi-modal pain management.

AEJ