Discharge Instructions for Hypermagnesemia

You have been diagnosed with hypermagnesemia. This means you have too much magnesium in your blood. This can occur in people with kidney failure. It can also occur if you are given magnesium salts. And it can occur if you take a medication that contains magnesium. These include some antacids and laxatives. Below is what you need to know about home care.

Diet Changes

You will need to limit all foods that have magnesium. These include:

• 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, and almond butter

• 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

• Do not take antacids or laxatives.

• Do not use enemas that have magnesium. Read the label before you use an enema.

• Tell your doctor about all the medications you take. Some may increase magnesium levels.

• Take all medications as directed.

• Do not drink alcohol. If you need help in stopping, ask your doctor about programs in your area.

• Take your pulse as often as advised. Tell your doctor if your pulse rate is slower than 40 beats per minute.

Follow-Up

Make follow-up appointments as advised by our staff. Your doctor will need to watch your condition closely. You may need extra care if you have a health condition that causes your hypermagnesemia.