Which medication is commonly used to prevent seizures in preeclampsia?

Which medication is commonly used to prevent seizures in preeclampsia?

• A. Labetalol
• B. Magnesium sulfate
• C. Hydralazine
• D. Calcium gluconate

Answer: (B)

Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent seizures in preeclampsia because it directly reduces neuronal excitability and stabilizes the central nervous system, lowering the risk that cerebral irritability will progress to an eclamptic seizure. It has long been the standard prophylaxis for women with preeclampsia or severe features, typically given as a loading dose followed by a maintenance infusion to maintain protective levels. The other medications have different roles: labetalol and hydralazine are used to lower blood pressure, not to prevent seizures, and calcium gluconate is the antidote for magnesium toxicity, not a prophylactic agent. So magnesium sulfate directly targets the seizure prevention in this condition.

Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent seizures in preeclampsia because it directly reduces neuronal excitability and stabilizes the central nervous system, lowering the risk that cerebral irritability will progress to an eclamptic seizure. It has long been the standard prophylaxis for women with preeclampsia or severe features, typically given as a loading dose followed by a maintenance infusion to maintain protective levels. The other medications have different roles: labetalol and hydralazine are used to lower blood pressure, not to prevent seizures, and calcium gluconate is the antidote for magnesium toxicity, not a prophylactic agent. So magnesium sulfate directly targets the seizure prevention in this condition.