Calcium Chloride

10% Calcium Chloride Injection, USP is a sterile, nonpyrogenic, hypertonic solution containing 100 mg (1.4 mEq/mL) of calcium chloride, dihydrate (1.4 mEq each of Ca++ and Cl¯) in water for injection. It is provided in a 10 mL Unit of Use Syringe to facilitate prompt intravenous injection. The solution is administered only by intravenous or intraventricular cavity injection as a calcium replenisher.

The solution contains no bacteriostat, antimicrobial agent or added buffer and is intended only for use as a single-dose injection. As per USP testing, when diluted with water for injection to make a 5% solution, the pH of calcium chloride injection is 6.3 (5.5 to 7.5). May contain hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment. The osmolar concentration is 2.04 mOsmol/mL (calc.). 10% Calcium Chloride Injection, USP is oxygen sensitive.

Calcium Chloride, USP dihydrate is chemically designated CaCl2 · 2H2O (dihydrate) white, odorless fragments or granules freely soluble in water.

Calcium is the fifth most abundant element in the body and the major fraction is in the bony structure. Calcium plays important physiological roles, many of which are poorly understood. It is essential for the functional integrity of the nervous and muscular systems. It is necessary for normal cardiac function and is one of the factors that operates in the mechanisms involved in the coagulation of blood.

Calcium chloride in water dissociates to provide calcium (Ca++) and chloride (Cl¯) ions. They are normal constituents of the body fluids and are dependent on various physiological mechanisms for maintenance of balance between intake and output. Approximately 80% of body calcium is excreted in the feces as insoluble salts; urinary excretion accounts for the remaining 20%.

10% Calcium Chloride Injection, USP is indicated (1) for the treatment of hypocalcemia in those conditions requiring a prompt increase in blood plasma calcium levels, (2) in the treatment of magnesium intoxication due to overdosage of magnesium sulfate and (3) to combat the deleterious effects of hyperkalemia as measured by electrocardiographic (ECG), pending correction of the increased potassium level in the extracellular fluid.

10% Calcium Chloride Injection, USP also may be used in cardiac resuscitation when weak or inadequate contractions return following defibrillation or when epinephrine injection has failed to strengthen myocardial contractions.

Calcium chloride is contraindicated for cardiac resuscitation in the presence of ventricular fibrillation or in patients with the risk of existing digitalis toxicity.

10% Calcium Chloride Injection, USP is irritating to veins and must not be injected into tissues, since severe necrosis and sloughing may occur. Great care should be taken to avoid extravasation or accidental injection into perivascular tissues.

WARNING: This product contains aluminum that may be toxic. Aluminum may reach toxic levels with prolonged parenteral administration if kidney function is impaired. Premature neonates are particularly at risk because their kidneys are immature, and they require large amounts of calcium and phosphate solutions, which contain aluminum.

Research indicates that patients with impaired kidney function, including premature neonates, who receive parenteral levels of aluminum at greater than 4 to 5 mcg/kg/day accumulate aluminum at levels associated with central nervous system and bone toxicity. Tissue loading may occur at even lower rates of administration.

Rapid injection may cause the patient to complain of tingling sensations, a calcium taste, a sense of oppression or “heat wave”.

Injections of calcium chloride are accompanied by peripheral vasodilatation as well as a local “burning” sensation and there may be a moderate fall in blood pressure.

Should perivascular infiltration occur, I.V. administration at that site should be discontinued at once. Local infiltration of the affected area with 1% procaine hydrochloride, to which hyaluronidase may be added, will often reduce venospasm and dilute the calcium remaining in the tissues locally. Local application of heat may also be helpful.

None known.

Too rapid injection may produce lowering of blood pressure and cardiac syncope. Persistent hypercalcemia from overdosage of calcium is unlikely because of rapid excretion. In the event of untoward effects from excessive calcium administration, the drug should be discontinued promptly, the patient re-evaluated and appropriate countermeasures instituted, if necessary. See PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS.

10% Calcium Chloride Injection, USP is administered only by slow intravenous injection (not to exceed 1 mL/min) and/or in cardiac resuscitation, by injection into the ventricular cavity. It must not be injected into the myocardium.

The usual precautions for intravenous therapy should be observed. If time permits, the solution should be warmed to body temperature. The injection should be halted if the patient complains of any discomfort; it may be resumed when symptoms disappear. Following injection, the patient should remain recumbent for a short time.

The usual adult dosage in hypocalcemic disorders ranges from 500 mg to 1 g (5 to 10 mL) at intervals of 1 to 3 days, depending on the response of the patient and/or results of serum calcium determinations. Repeated injections may be required because of rapid excretion of calcium.

In magnesium intoxication, an initial adult dose of 500 mg (5 mL) should be administered promptly and the patient observed for signs of recovery before further doses are given.

In hyperkalemic ECG disturbances of cardiac function, the dosage of calcium chloride injection should be titrated by constant monitoring of ECG changes during administration.

In cardiac resuscitation, the usual adult dosage ranges from 500 mg to 1 g (5 to 10 mL) intravenously, or from 200 to 800 mg (2 to 8 mL) when injected into the ventricular cavity.

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. See PRECAUTIONS.

To prevent needle-stick injuries, needles should not be recapped, purposely bent or broken by hand.

10% Calcium Chloride Injection, USP is supplied in single-dose containers as follows:

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Store at 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature.]

Abboject® is a trademark of the Abbott group of companies

LIFESHIELD® is the trademark of ICU Medical, Inc. and is used under license.

Distributed by Hospira, Inc., Lake Forest, IL 60045 USA

LAB-1241-2.0

Revised: 04/2018

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