Maternal, Obstetric & Newborn Care
The obstetric emergency medicines and newborn-care antiseptics that sit on the WHO Model List — supplied with the labelling discipline these products demand.
Magnesium sulfate is the anticonvulsant used for severe pre-eclampsia, to prevent eclamptic seizures, and for eclampsia itself. MSF describes a loading dose of 4 g by intravenous infusion over 15 to 20 minutes, then either 10 g intramuscularly followed by 5 g every four hours, or a continuous 1 g per hour infusion.
At a glance
- MSF gives magnesium sulfate for severe pre-eclampsia and for eclampsia, continuing 24 hours after delivery or the last seizure.
- Calcium gluconate 1 g by slow IV injection is the antidote for magnesium sulfate overdose.
- MSF instructs users to check the ampoule strength carefully, because magnesium sulfate is supplied in several strengths.
- Chlorhexidine 7.1% digluconate, delivering 4% chlorhexidine, is listed in section 22.7 for umbilical cord care.
- MSF prefers the 3 g single-dose presentation over the 20 g tube, to limit contamination from opened tubes.
01What the published guidance says
Every statement below is drawn from WHO or MSF published material and linked to its source. We summarise; we do not reproduce. Statements marked as our own are commercial positions, not clinical guidance.
Magnesium sulfate is the anticonvulsant for pre-eclampsia and eclampsia
MSF lists magnesium sulfate injectable for severe pre-eclampsia (prevention of eclamptic seizures) and for eclampsia (treatment of seizures and prevention of recurrence), describing it as a calcium antagonist and anticonvulsant. The Model List also carries magnesium sulfate among antiseizure medicines.
The protocol, and why presentation matters
MSF describes two protocols: an intravenous/intramuscular schedule of 4 g by IV infusion over 15–20 minutes, then 10 g intramuscularly, then 5 g IM every four hours; and an IV-only schedule of 4 g over 15–20 minutes followed by 1 g per hour. Treatment continues for 24 hours after delivery or the last seizure.
MSF's own warning: check the ampoule strength
Because magnesium sulfate is supplied in several strengths, MSF explicitly instructs users to check the strength of the ampoule carefully before use, noting that 1 g ampoules exist alongside the 5 g presentation it describes.
Monitoring and the antidote
Patellar reflex, blood pressure, heart and respiratory rate are checked every 15 minutes during the first hour, then hourly, with urine output checked hourly. If signs of overdose appear, magnesium sulfate is stopped and 1 g calcium gluconate given by slow intravenous injection as the antidote. MSF also notes magnesium sulfate should not be combined with nifedipine.
Chlorhexidine for umbilical cord care is an EMLca medicine
Section 22.7 of the Model List carries chlorhexidine 7.1% digluconate solution or gel — delivering 4% chlorhexidine — for umbilical cord care, added in 2013. MSF specifies a 3 g gel applied once daily for seven days to the tip, stump and base of the cord.
Single-dose sachets are preferred, and the container matters
MSF states the 3 g single-dose sachet or tube is preferred over the 20 g tube to minimise contamination from opened tubes, and warns against combining chlorhexidine with soap or other antiseptics such as povidone-iodine.
02Products in this therapeutic group
Each entry links to its full specification page.
| Product | Dosage form | Presentation notes | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesium Sulphate BP 10% 10mL | Injection | View Magnesium Sulphate BP 10% 10mL → | |
| Clotrimazole 150mg vaginal suppositories | Suppository | View Clotrimazole 150mg vaginal suppositories → | |
| HCG Injection 5000 IU (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) | Injection | View HCG Injection 5000 IU (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) → | |
| Progesterone Suppository 25mg | Suppository | Natural Progesterone Hormone Therapy | View Progesterone Suppository 25mg → |
| Martrine Suppository 50mg | Suppository | Natural Matrine Gynecological Anti-Inflammatory | View Martrine Suppository 50mg → |
| Erythromycin Suppositories 100mg: Uses and Benefits | Suppository | View Erythromycin Suppositories 100mg: Uses and Benefits → | |
| Chlorhexidine Acetate Suppository 20mg | Suppository | View Chlorhexidine Acetate Suppository 20mg → | |
| Metronidazole Suppository 500mg | Suppository | Gynecological Anti-Anaerobic & Antitrichomonal | View Metronidazole Suppository 500mg → |
8 products in this group · part of 186 finished dosage forms across 14 therapeutic areas.
03Specifying your order
The five things worth stating on a purchase order for this group, so the quotation comes back right first time.
Ampoule strength
State the strength and volume explicitly. Magnesium sulfate is available in several strengths, and MSF instructs users to verify the ampoule before use.
Cord-care concentration
7.1% digluconate delivering 4% chlorhexidine is the cord-care specification. This is not the same product as general antiseptic chlorhexidine.
Container format
Single-dose sachet or multi-dose tube. State which, because MSF prefers the single-dose presentation for cord care.
Antidote pairing
Confirm whether calcium gluconate must be shipped alongside magnesium sulfate as part of your obstetric emergency kit.
Suppository strength
For progesterone, clotrimazole and metronidazole suppositories, specify the milligram strength and the base used.
04How we supply it
Standardised GMP production workshops with an independent R&D laboratory and a complete quality-inspection centre.
Obstetric emergency
Magnesium sulfate injection supplied with the ampoule strength unambiguously marked. We can supply in the presentation your protocol specifies.
Newborn cord care
Chlorhexidine 7.1% digluconate gel in single-dose presentations, with container design that is visually distinct from ophthalmic and other neonatal products.
Gynaecological range
Clotrimazole, metronidazole, progesterone, chlorhexidine acetate and matrine suppositories, plus human chorionic gonadotropin injection.
Dossier support
COA, stability data including the in-use period, and registration support documents for maternal and newborn product filings.
05Safety, labelling & regulatory notes
Points worth carrying into your tender, label review or clinical briefing.
- Hospital-use obstetric medicines should only be handled by trained personnel in appropriately equipped units. Promotional material must not suggest otherwise.
- Label magnesium sulfate ampoule strength prominently. Confusion between the 1 g and 5 g presentations is an identified clinical risk.
- WHO has recorded more than 40 cases of serious eye injury, including blindness, where chlorhexidine was mistaken for an eye preparation. If chlorhexidine and eye drops are distributed through the same channel, enforce visually distinct containers and labels.
- Do not promote chlorhexidine for use on any body site other than the one approved for the specific product. The cord-care gel is for the umbilical cord only.
06Questions buyers ask
6 answers covering specification, documentation and regulatory questions for this group.
Do you supply magnesium sulfate in the strengths used in obstetric protocols?
Can you supply chlorhexidine for umbilical cord care?
Why do you emphasise single-dose chlorhexidine packaging?
Do you supply calcium gluconate as the magnesium sulfate antidote?
Why do you ask buyers to confirm the magnesium sulfate ampoule strength?
Is your chlorhexidine cord-care gel the same as general antiseptic chlorhexidine?
07Related therapeutic areas
Adjacent groups you may want to combine on one purchase order.
Request a quotation for Maternal & Newborn
Send us the products, strengths and pack sizes you need, together with the destination country, and we will return a quotation with the documentation package and lead time. Registration support documents are provided with every order.
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