Which medication is used to prevent seizures in severe preeclampsia and eclampsia?

Which medication is used to prevent seizures in severe preeclampsia and eclampsia?

• A. Magnesium sulfate
• B. Calcium gluconate
• C. Labetalol
• D. Nifedipine

Answer: (A)

Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent seizures in severe preeclampsia and eclampsia because it acts to reduce neuronal excitability and stabilize cerebral activity, lowering the risk of convulsions. It functions as a CNS depressant and calcium antagonist, helping to prevent the hyperexcitability that leads to seizures in these conditions. In clinical practice it’s given IV as a loading dose followed by a maintenance infusion, with careful monitoring of the patient’s reflexes, respiratory rate, and urine output. If signs of magnesium toxicity appear—such as absence of deep tendon reflexes, slowed or suppressed respiration, or decreased urine output—the antidote calcium gluconate is used. While other medications like labetalol or nifedipine help control blood pressure, they do not prevent seizures, and calcium gluconate is not for seizure prevention but for treating magnesium toxicity.

Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent seizures in severe preeclampsia and eclampsia because it acts to reduce neuronal excitability and stabilize cerebral activity, lowering the risk of convulsions. It functions as a CNS depressant and calcium antagonist, helping to prevent the hyperexcitability that leads to seizures in these conditions. In clinical practice it’s given IV as a loading dose followed by a maintenance infusion, with careful monitoring of the patient’s reflexes, respiratory rate, and urine output. If signs of magnesium toxicity appear—such as absence of deep tendon reflexes, slowed or suppressed respiration, or decreased urine output—the antidote calcium gluconate is used. While other medications like labetalol or nifedipine help control blood pressure, they do not prevent seizures, and calcium gluconate is not for seizure prevention but for treating magnesium toxicity.