Effect of magnesium sulfate on renal colic pain: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#analgesics #humans #magnesium-sulfate #pain-management #renal-colic

Effect of magnesium sulfate on renal colic pain: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis

Chen et al., 2020 | Medicine (Baltimore) | Meta Analysis

Citation

Chen Liang-Fu, Yang Chih-Hao, ... Hsu Yuan-Pin. Effect of magnesium sulfate on renal colic pain: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020-Nov-13;99(46):e23279. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000023279

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is widely used in analgesia for different conditions. Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have evaluated the effects of MgSO4 on renal colic; however, this new evidence has not been synthesized. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of MgSO4 in comparison with control for renal colic. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases were searched from inception to February 2020. We included RCTs that evaluated MgSO4 vs control for patients with renal colic. Data were independently extracted by 2 reviewers and synthesized using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Four studies with a total of 373 patients were analyzed. Intravenous MgSO4 15 to 50 mg/kg did not significantly reduce renal colic pain severity at 15 minutes (mean difference [MD] = 0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.51 to 1.21; 2 RCTs), 30 minutes (MD = 0.19, 95% CI -0.74 to 1.13; 4 RCTs), and 60 minutes (MD = -0.28, 95% CI -0.72 to 0.16; 3 RCTs) in comparison with controls. In patients who failed to respond to initial analgesics, intravenous MgSO4 15 mg/kg or 2 ml of 50% solution provided similar pain relief to ketorolac or morphine at 30 minutes (P = .90) and 60 minutes (P = .57). No significant hemodynamic changes were observed with short-term use of MgSO4 in these studies. CONCLUSION: MgSO4 provides no superior therapeutic benefits in comparison with control treatments. MgSO4 may be used as a rescue medication in patients not responding to initial analgesics. The short-term use of MgSO4 did not affect hemodynamic values.

Key Findings

Four studies with a total of 373 patients were analyzed. Intravenous MgSO4 15 to 50 mg/kg did not significantly reduce renal colic pain severity at 15 minutes (mean difference [MD] = 0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.51 to 1.21; 2 RCTs), 30 minutes (MD = 0.19, 95% CI -0.74 to 1.13; 4 RCTs), and 60 minutes (MD = -0.28, 95% CI -0.72 to 0.16; 3 RCTs) in comparison with controls. In patients who failed to respond to initial analgesics, intravenous MgSO4 15 mg/kg or 2 ml of 50% solution provided

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population renal colic
Sample Size 373
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Analgesics
  • Humans
  • Magnesium Sulfate
  • Pain Management
  • Renal Colic

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: magnesium

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09