Magnesium sulfate regimen for seizure prophylaxis and treatment in eclampsia — the Pritchard regimen involves:
- A 4 g IV loading dose plus 5 g IM into each buttock, followed by 5 g IM every 4 hours ✓
- B 4 g IV loading dose, followed by 1 g/hour IV maintenance infusion
- C 6 g IV loading over 15 minutes, followed by 2 g/hour IV infusion
- D 10 g IM total loading dose with no maintenance
Correct answer: A. 4 g IV loading dose plus 5 g IM into each buttock, followed by 5 g IM every 4 hours
Explanation
The Pritchard regimen is the original combined IV/IM magnesium sulfate protocol: 4 g IV loading dose over 3–5 minutes plus 5 g (50% MgSO4 in 10 mL) deep IM into each buttock simultaneously, followed by 5 g IM every 4 hours alternating buttocks as maintenance. The Zuspan regimen is IV-only: 4 g IV loading then 1–2 g/hour IV infusion. The Pritchard regimen is widely used in resource-limited settings where IV infusion pumps are unavailable. Both are endorsed as equivalent by Cochrane reviews.
Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.