Milk-alkali syndrome medical therapy
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shakiba Hassanzadeh, MD[2]
Overview
Overview
Treatment of milk-alkali syndrome is mostly supportive and mainly includes the withdrawal of the offending agent, hydration, and intravenous volume expansion. However, other treatments such as therapy with calcium supplements (in temporary hypocalcemia) and hemodialysis (in acute or chronic irreversible renal insufficiency) may be required.
Medical Therapy
Medical Therapy
- Treatment of milk-alkali syndrome is mostly supportive, and with early diagnosis and therapy, renal function may return to normal.[1][2]
- The main treatment of milk-alkali syndrome includes:
- Withdrawal of the offending agent.
- Hydration and intravenous volume expansion.
- The above treatments usually resolve the symptoms and abnormalities in milk-alkali syndrome (hypercalcemia, alkalosis and renal insufficiency).[1][2]
- Additional treatments that may be required include:[1][2]
- Calcium supplements may be needed since during therapy temporary hypocalcemia may occur.
- In hypercalcemic crisis, treatment with intravenous furosemide, pamindronate, and hydrocortisone have been reported to decrease calcium.
Renal replacement with dialysis
Acute or chronic irreversible renal insufficiency may require renal replacement with dialysis.[1][2]
References
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Beall DP, Henslee HB, Webb HR, Scofield RH (2006). “Milk-alkali syndrome: a historical review and description of the modern version of the syndrome”. Am J Med Sci. 331 (5): 233–42. doi:10.1097/00000441-200605000-00001. PMID 16702792.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Medarov BI (2009). “Milk-alkali syndrome”. Mayo Clin Proc. 84 (3): 261–7. doi:10.1016/S0025-6196(11)61144-0. PMC 2664604. PMID 19252114.
Looking for the patient version?
© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH