calcium chloride
Electrolyte
Calcium is an essential component for functional integrity of the nervous and muscular systems, for normal cardiac contractility and the coagulation of blood. Calcium chloride contains 27.2% elemental calcium. Calcium chloride is a hypertonic solution and should only be administered intravenously slowly.
5-15 min
Dose dependant (effects may persist up to 4 hr after IV administration)
Hyperkalemia
Hypocalcemia (e.g., after multiple blood transfusions)
Calcium channel blocker toxicity
Hypermagnesemia
To prevent hypotensive effects of calcium channel blocking agents (IV verapamil and diltiazem)
VF during cardiac resuscitation
Digitalis toxicity
Hypercalcemia
Decreases in heart rate (may cause asystole)
Decrease in blood pressure
Metallic taste
Severe local necrosis and sloughing following IM use or IV infiltration
Calcium may worsen dysthythmias secondary to digitalis.
May antagonize the peripheral vasodilatory effects of verapamil.
It is important to flush the IV line between administration of calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate to avoid precipitation.
10% solution in 10 ml ampules, vials and prefilled syringes
8-16 mg/kg of 10% solution slow IV, repeat if necessary
20-25 mg/kg of 10% solution slow IV (no faster than 100 mg/min)
2-4 mg/kg of 10% solution slow IV, may be repeated at 10 min intervals.
Unknown safety and efficacy
Pregnancy Safety: Category C
Calcium may produce vasospasm in coronary and cerebral arteries
Hypertension and bradycardia may occur with rapid administation.