Intrathecal Magnesium Prolongs Fentanyl Analgesia: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Abstract

Magnesium occurs naturally in the spinal cord and blocks the NMDA glutamate channel. In animal studies, intrathecal magnesium sulfate improves spinal morphine analgesia. For patients receiving spinal analgesia for labor, the addition of magnesium sulfate to the opioid fentanyl prolonged analgesia with no increase of side effects.