Discharge Instructions for Hypermagnesemia

You have been diagnosed with hypermagnesemia (too much magnesium in your blood). Hypermagnesemia usually develops only in people with kidney failure who are given magnesium salts or who take drugs that contain magnesium (such as some antacids or laxatives). Here’s what you need to know about home care.

Diet Changes

Limit all foods that contain magnesium. In particular, avoid the following foods:

• Dark green, leafy vegetables, including salad greens, collards, kale, and chard

• All nuts and nut products, including peanuts, almonds, pecans, cashews, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, peanut butter, almond butter, and sunflower seeds

• Soy products, including tofu and soy milk

• Millet, including puffed millet cereal

• Brown rice, including brown rice cakes

• Avocado, including guacamole

• Dried apricots

• Bran cereals

• Chocolate and cocoa powder

• Meal replacement bars and drinks

Other Home Care

• Don’t take antacids or laxatives.

• Avoid enemas that contain magnesium. Read the label carefully before you use an over-the-counter enema preparation.

• Tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking. Some medications can increase magnesium levels.

• Take all medications exactly as directed.

• If you drink alcohol, stop. If you need help, ask your doctor about programs in your area that can help you quit.

• Learn to take your own pulse. Tell your doctor if your pulse rate is slower than 40 beats per minute.

Follow-Up

• Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.

• Keep all follow-up appointments. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition closely, especially if you have another medical condition that is causing your hypermagnesemia.

• Have your magnesium levels checked regularly.