CALCIUM CHLORIDE

Class
Description
Onset and Duration
Indications
Contraindications
Adverse Reactions
Drug Interactions
How Supplied
Dosage and Administration
Special Considerations

Calcium is an essential component for functional integrity of the nervous and muscular systems, normal cardiac contractility, and the coagulation of blood. Calcium chloride contains 27.2% elemental calcium. Calcium chloride should be administered intravenously (slowly, not exceeding 1 ml/min).

CALCIUM CHLORIDE
Onset & Duration

Onset:: 5-15 min
Duration:: Dose dependent (effects may persist for 4 hr after IV administration)

CALCIUM CHLORIDE
Indications

Hypocalcemia (prompt increase in serum calcium levels)
Adjunctive therapy in the treatment of insect bites and stings (especially black widow spider and scorpion)
Magnesium sulfate overdose
Hyperkalemia
Cardiac resuscitation (questionable value)
Calcium channel blocker toxicity

CALCIUM CHLORIDE
Contraindications

VF during cardiac resuscitation
In patients with digitalis toxicity
Hypercalcemia

CALCIUM CHLORIDE
Adverse Reactions

Decrease in heart rate (may cause asystole)
Decrease in blood pressure
Peripheral vasodilation
Metallic taste
Severe local necrosis and sloughing after IM use or IV infiltration

CALCIUM CHLORIDE
Drug Interactions

Calcium may worsen dysrhythmias secondary to digitalis.
May antagonize effects of verapamil.
NOTE: It is important to flush IV line between administration of calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate to avoid precipitation.

CALCIUM CHLORIDE
How Supplied

10% solution in 10 ml ampules, vials, and prefilled syringes (100 mg/ml)

CALCIUM CHLORIDE
Dosage and Administration

Adult:: 2-4 mEq/kg of 10% solution IV.; Repeat as necessary at 10-min intervals.
Pediatric:: 20 mg/kg/dose of 10% solution slow IV (maximum 1 g dose);; may be repeated once in 10 min.

CALCIUM CHLORIDE
Special Considerations

Pregnancy safety: Category C.
Calcium may produce vasospasm in coronary and cerebral arteries.