CALCIUM GLUCONATE (gloo'koe-nate) Kalcinate Classifications: fluid and electrolytic and water balance agent; replacement solution Pregnancy Category: B |
500 mg, 650 mg, 975 mg, 1 gm tablets; 10% injection
Calcium is an essential element for regulating the excitation threshold of nerves and muscles, for blood clotting mechanisms, cardiac function (rhythm, tonicity, contractility), maintenance of renal function, for body skeleton and teeth. Also plays a role in regulating storage and release of neurotransmitters and hormones; regulating amino acid uptake and absorption of vitamin B12, gastrin secretion, and in maintaining structural and functional integrity of cell membranes and capillaries. Calcium gluconate acts like digitalis on the heart, increasing cardiac muscle tone and force of systolic contractions (positive inotropic effect).
Rapidly and effectively restores serum calcium levels in acute hypocalcemia of various origins and effective cardiac stabilizer under conditions of hyperkalemia or resuscitation.
Negative calcium balance (as in neonatal tetany, hypoparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, alkalosis). Also to overcome cardiac toxicity of hyperkalemia, for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, to prevent hypocalcemia during transfusion of citrated blood. Also as antidote for magnesium sulfate, for acute symptoms of lead colic, to decrease capillary permeability in sensitivity reactions, and to relieve muscle cramps from insect bites or stings. Oral calcium may be used to maintain normal calcium balance during pregnancy, lactation, and childhood growth and to prevent primary osteoporosis. Also in osteoporosis, osteomalacia, chronic hypoparathyroidism, rickets, and as adjunct in treatment of myasthenia gravis and Eaton-Lambert syndrome.
To antagonize aminoglycoside-induced neuromuscular blockage, and as "calcium challenge" to diagnose Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Ventricular fibrillation, metastatic bone disease, injection into myocardium; administration by SC or IM routes; renal calculi, hypercalcemia, predisposition to hypercalcemia (hyperparathyroidism, certain malignancies); pregnancy (category B).
Digitalized patients, renal or cardiac insufficiency, sarcoidosis, history of lithiasis, immobilized patients; lactation.
All doses are in terms of elemental calcium: 1 g calcium gluconate = 90 mg (4.5 mEq, 9.3%) elemental calcium Supplement for OsteoporosisAdult: PO 12 g b.i.d. to q.i.d. IV 7 mEq q13d Child: PO 4565 mg/kg/d in divided doses. IV 17 mEq q13d Neonate: PO 50130 mg/kg/d (max: 1 g) IV mEq q13d Hypocalcemic Tetany Adult: IV 4.516 mEq prn Child: IV 0.50.7 mEq/kg t.i.d. or q.i.d. Neonate: IV 2.4 mEq/kg/d in divided doses CPR Adult: IV 2.33.7 mEq x 1 Hyperkalemia with Cardiac Toxicity Adult: IV 2.2514 mEq q 12 min Exchange Transfusions with Citrated Blood Adult: IV 1.35 mEq for each 100 mL of blood Neonate: IV 0.45 mEq for each 100 mL of blood |
Intravenous PREPARE: Direct: May be given undiluted Intermittent/Continuous: May be diluted in 1000 mL of NS. ADMINISTER: Direct: Give direct IV at a rate of 0.5 mL or a fraction thereof over 1 min. Do not exceed 2 mL/min. Intermittent/Continuous: Give slowly, not to exceed 200 mg/min, through a small-bore needle into a large vein to avoid possibility of extravasation and resultant necrosis. With children, scalp veins should be avoided. Avoid rapid infusion. High concentrations of calcium suddenly reaching the heart can cause fatal cardiac arrest. INCOMPATIBILITIES Solution/additive: Amphotericin B, cefamandole, dobutamine, methylprednisolone, metoclopramide, concentration-dependent incompatibility with other electrolytes. Y-site: Amphotericin B cholesteryl complex, fluconazole, indomethacin.
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IV calcium may cause false decreases in serum and urine magnesium (by Titan yellow method) and transient elevations of plasma 11-OHCS levels by Glenn-Nelson technique. Values usually return to control levels after 60 min; urinary steroid values (17-OHCS) may be decreased.
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