Information About Calcium Gluconate Injection

What is calcium gluconate?

Calcium gluconate is a salt of gluconic acid and is used in the treatment of low blood calcium, high blood potassium, and magnesium toxicity by injecting it into the vein. Calcium gluconate is also used as a supplement when the diet cannot supply enough calcium. As a supplement, calcium gluconate can be used to prevent or treat osteoporosis.

Calcium gluconate is not to be injected into muscles. Calcium gluconate belongs to a class of medication known as antidotes.

What does calcium gluconate serve as an antidote for?

Calcium gluconate helps protect the heart in cases of high blood potassium and serves as the antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity.

What are the side effects of calcium gluconate?

Some serious side effects of using calcium gluconate include:self-harming

Little/no urination
Swelling
Rapid weight gain
Lightheadedness
Slow/irregular heartbeat
Nausea
Vomiting
Increased thirst/urination
Constipation
Bone pain
Muscle weakness
Confusion
Lack of energy
Tiredness

Common side effects of using calcium gluconate include:

warmth
tingling
heavy feeling
stomach upset
chalky taste in the mouth
gas
constipation

What is calcium gluconate used for?

Calcium gluconate has been indicated in the following conditions:

To treat conditions caused by calcium deficiencies such as hypocalcemic tetany, hypocalcemia caused by hypoparathyroidism, hypocalcemia caused by rapid growth/pregnancy.
To treat muscle cramping caused by black widow spider bites.
To treat rickets, osteomalacia, lead colic, and magnesium sulfate overdose
As a cardio-protective agent in hyperkalemia (high blood potassium) when the patient is not receiving digitalis therapy.

What is the dosage of calcium gluconate?

Calcium gluconate should be given intravenously, directly, or by infusion and its dosage is dependent on the requirements of the patient. However, the infusion rate may not exceed 200mg/minute.

Can calcium gluconate be used during pregnancy?

Calcium crosses the placental barrier and its fetal blood concentration is usually higher than maternal blood. Thus, calcium gluconate injections should only be used when the potential benefits of its use outweigh the risk of using this medication. Care should also be taken to avoid hypercalcemia which may be deleterious to the fetus.