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Hypomagnesemic Hypocalcemia Secondary to Renal Magnesium Wasting
A Possible Consequence of High-Dose Gentamicin Therapy
Abstract
Two patients developed severe hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, and hypokalemia as a result of renal wasting of magnesium and potassium shortly after being treated with large doses of gentamicin. When therapy with gentamicin was discontinued renal loss of magnesium and potassium ceased, and serum calcium, magnesium, and potassium returned toward normal. Serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone levels were inappropriately low during the episodes of hypocalcemia. Both patients represent examples of hypomagnesemic hypocalcemia induced by inappropriate magnesuria, possibly caused by gentamicin. These observations suggest that serum calcium, magnesium, and potassium should be monitored during gentamicin therapy.
Article and Author Information
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▸From the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Ohio State University Hospitals, Columbus, Ohio.
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▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Dr. Ernest L. Mazzaferri, Ohio State University Hospital, 410 West Tenth Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210.
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- Received September 9, 1974.
- Accepted October 10, 1974.
