Calcium gluconate is a mineral complement and medicine.[1] As a medicine it’s utilized by injection right into a vein to deal with low blood calcium, excessive blood potassium, and magnesium toxicity.[2][1] Supplementation is mostly solely required when there may be not sufficient calcium within the food plan.[3] Supplementation could also be accomplished to deal with or stop osteoporosis or rickets.[1] It can be taken by mouth however shouldn’t be really useful for injection right into a muscle.[1]
Unwanted effects when injected embrace sluggish coronary heart price, ache on the web site of injection, and low blood stress.[3] When taken by mouth unintended effects might embrace constipation and nausea.[1] Blood calcium ranges needs to be measured when used and additional care needs to be taken in these with a historical past of kidney stones.[3] At regular doses, use is thought to be secure in being pregnant and breastfeeding.[1][4] Calcium gluconate is made by mixing gluconic acid with calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide.[5]
Calcium gluconate got here into medical use within the Nineteen Twenties.[6] It’s on the World Well being Group’s Checklist of Important Medicines.[7] Calcium gluconate is out there as a generic treatment.[2]
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Medical makes use of[edit]
10% calcium gluconate resolution (given intravenously) is the type of calcium most generally used within the therapy of low blood calcium. This type of calcium shouldn’t be as effectively absorbed as calcium lactate,[8] and it solely incorporates 0.93% (930 mg/dl) calcium ion (outlined by 1 g weight solute in 100 ml of resolution to make 1% resolution w/v). Due to this fact, if the hypocalcemia is acute and extreme, calcium chloride is given as an alternative.
Excessive blood potassium[edit]
Calcium gluconate is used as a cardioprotective agent in individuals with excessive blood potassium ranges, with one different being the usage of calcium chloride.[9] It is strongly recommended when the potassium ranges are excessive (>6.5 mmol/l) or when the electrocardiogram (ECG) exhibits adjustments as a result of excessive blood potassium.[2]
Although it doesn’t impact potassium ranges within the blood, it reduces the excitability of cardiomyocytes, thereby reducing the chance of cardiac arrhythmias.[10]
Magnesium sulfate overdose[edit]
Additionally it is used to counteract an overdose of Epsom salts magnesium sulfate,[11] which is commonly administered to pregnant ladies in an effort to prophylactically stop seizures (as in a affected person experiencing preeclampsia). Magnesium sulfate is now not given to pregnant ladies who’re experiencing untimely labor in an effort to sluggish or cease their contractions (different tocolytics are actually used as an alternative as a result of higher efficacy and aspect impact profiles).[citation needed] Extra magnesium sulfate leads to magnesium sulfate toxicity, which ends up in each respiratory melancholy and a lack of deep tendon reflexes (hyporeflexia).
Hydrofluoric acid burns[edit]
Gel preparations of calcium gluconate are used to deal with hydrofluoric acid burns.[12][13] The calcium gluconate reacts with hydrofluoric acid to type insoluble, non-toxic calcium fluoride. Along with a 2.5% calcium gluconate gel being utilized on to the chemical burn, the individual might also obtain calcium gluconate dietary supplements as a result of the fluoride ion precipitates serum calcium, inflicting hypocalcemia.[14]
Black widow spider bites[edit]
Traditionally, intravenous calcium gluconate was used as an antidote for black widow spider envenomation, typically along side muscle relaxants.[15] This remedy, nonetheless, has since been proven to be ineffective.[16][17]
Cardiac arrest[edit]
Whereas intravenous calcium has been utilized in cardiac arrest, its normal use shouldn’t be really useful.[1] Circumstances of cardiac arrest wherein it’s nonetheless really useful embrace excessive blood potassium, low blood calcium corresponding to might happen following blood transfusions, and calcium channel blocker overdose.[1] There’s the potential that normal use might worsen outcomes.[1] If calcium is used, calcium chloride is mostly the really useful type.[1]
Unwanted effects[edit]
Calcium gluconate unintended effects embrace nausea, constipation, and upset abdomen. Fast intravenous injections of calcium gluconate might trigger hypercalcaemia, which can lead to vasodilation, cardiac arrhythmias, decreased blood stress, and bradycardia. Extravasation of calcium gluconate can result in cellulitis. Intramuscular injections might result in native necrosis and abscess formation.[18]
Additionally it is reported that this type of calcium will increase renal plasma circulation, urine manufacturing, sodium excretion,[19][20] glomerular filtration price,[21] and prostaglandin E2 and F1-alpha ranges.[22]
Society and tradition[edit]
Shortages of medical calcium gluconate have been reported in November 2012 and November 2015 in the USA.[9][23]
See additionally[edit] – “calcium gluconate antidote”
References[edit]
Exterior hyperlinks[edit]