Formulary
Calcium chloride: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Calcium chloride clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Calcium chloride: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Calcium chloride clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Severe acute or symptomatic hypocalcaemia**
- **Adult** (By Slow Intravenous Injection, Or By Intravenous Infusion): Dose according to requirements.
**Acute severe hyperkalaemia (plasma-potassium concentration 6.5 mmol/litre or greater, or in the presence of ECG changes)**
- **Adult** (By Slow Intravenous Injection): 10 mL, calcium chloride 10% (providing approximately 6.8 mmol of calcium) should be administered as a single dose, repeat dose if no improvement in ECG within 5 to 10 minutes.
**Acute hypocalcaemia for calcium chloride**
- **Child** (By intravenous infusion): (consult product literature).
Cautions
For all calcium salts History of nephrolithiasis; sarcoidosis Cautions For calcium chloride Avoid in respiratory acidosis; avoid in respiratory failure
Contraindications
For all calcium salts Conditions associated with hypercalcaemia (e.g. some forms of malignant disease); conditions associated with hypercalciuria (e.g. some forms of malignant disease)
Side effects
For all calcium salts Uncommon Constipation; diarrhoea; hypercalcaemia; nausea Rare or very rare Gastrointestinal disorder Side-effects For calcium chloride Frequency not known Soft tissue calcification; taste unpleasant; vasodilation
Interactions
**Other interactions (4):**
- For interaction between calcium containing products and ceftriaxone, please see sections 4.4 above.
- Calcium-containing products may decrease the effectiveness of calcium channel blockers.
- Large intravenous doses of calcium can precipitate arrhythmias by interacting with cardiac glycosides (e.g.
- Thiazide diuretics may increase the risk of hypercalcaemia.
Renal impairment
For all calcium salts Use with caution. M
Medicinal forms
Solution
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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