Calcium gluconate

Calcium gluconate is a calcium medication and is considered a mineral supplement.

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Indications Calcium gluconate

It is used to treat many pathologies.

In diseases that are accompanied by hypocalcemia, increased permeability of cell walls, and impaired conductivity of nerve impulses within the muscles.

In hypoparathyroidism (with latent tetany and osteoporosis), disorders of calciferol metabolism (in diseases such as spasmophilia with rickets, as well as osteomalacia) and hyperphosphatemia in individuals with chronic renal failure.

In case of increased need of the body for calcium (during intensive growth of teenagers, during pregnancy or lactation), calcium deficiency in the consumed food, calcium metabolism disorders during the period of postmenopause development, and also in case of bone fractures.

With increased calcium excretion (due to prolonged bed rest, chronic diarrhea, and also due to hypocalcemia due to long-term use of anticonvulsants, diuretics or GCS).

As a means of combined treatment: for bleeding of various origins, as well as allergies (such as urticaria with serum sickness, and also fever syndrome, Quincke's edema and dermatoses of the itchy type), pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, alimentary edema of the dystrophic type. In addition, also for parenchymatous type of hepatitis, eclampsia, nephritis and liver intoxication.

In the form of an antidote in case of intoxication with oxalic acid, magnesium salts or soluble salts of hydrofluoric acid (as a result of interaction with the drug, non-toxic insoluble elements are formed: fluoride, and along with this, calcium oxalate).

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Release form

The release is made in tablets, in the amount of 10 pieces inside a blister pack. The pack contains 3 or 10 blisters with tablets.

Calcium gluconate-health (stabilized) is produced in the form of a medicinal solution for intramuscular and intravenous procedures. Released in ampoules of 1, 2 or 3, as well as 5 or 10 ml. The medicine package contains 10 ampoules.

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Pharmacodynamics

Calcium gluconate is a calcium salt of aldonic acid, which contains 9% calcium. Calcium ions are involved in the processes of nerve impulse conduction, and in addition to this, the contraction of skeletal and smooth muscles and the work of the myocardium. They also participate in blood clotting processes and are very important in the formation of bone tissue and the stable work of other organs with systems. The calcium ion indicators in the blood decrease with the development of many diseases. A pronounced form of hypocalcemia leads to the development of tetany.

In addition to treating hypocalcemia, the drug reduces vascular permeability, has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and hemostatic properties, and reduces exudation. Calcium ions are a plastic material necessary for teeth and the skeleton, they participate in many enzymatic processes, adjust the speed of impulse transmission along the nerves, and also affect the permeability of cell walls.

Calcium ions are required to conduct impulses within muscles and nerve endings, and also help maintain myocardial contractility. Calcium gluconate has a weak local effect, unlike the drug calcium chloride.

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Pharmacokinetics

After oral administration of the tablet, the active substance is partially absorbed, mainly in the small intestine. Peak plasma values are noted after 1.2-1.3 hours.

The half-life of calcium ions from plasma is 6.8-7.2 hours. The drug is able to pass through the placenta and penetrate into breast milk.

Excretion occurs with urine and feces.

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Dosing and administration

Calcium gluconate should be taken orally, before eating. The tablet should be chewed or crushed beforehand.

Single doses:

• for teenagers over 14 years of age and adults – 1-3 g (2-6 tablets);
• children aged 3-4 years – 1 g (2 tablets);
• children aged 5-6 years – 1-1.5 g (2-3 tablets);
• children aged 7-9 years – 1.5-2 g (3-4 tablets);
• children aged 10-14 years – 2-3 g (4-6 tablets).

You need to take the tablets 2-3 times a day.

Elderly people can take no more than 2 g of the medicine (4 tablets) per day.

The duration of the course of therapy is prescribed by the attending physician and depends on the patient’s health condition.

The medicine in the form of a solution is administered intramuscularly or intravenously.

Before injection, warm the ampoule containing the solution to body temperature. The medicine is administered slowly, over 2-3 minutes.

Adolescents aged 14 and over, as well as adults, require injections of 5-10 ml of solution, which are administered every day or at intervals of 1-2 days (the frequency of administration depends on the state of health and the nature of the disease).

For children, the medicinal solution is administered exclusively intravenously, and the size of the administered portion depends on age:

• for infants under six months – 0.1-1 ml;
• in the period of 0.5-1 year – 1-1.5 ml;
• within 1-3 years – 1.5-2 ml;
• children 4-6 years old – 2-2.5 ml;
• in the period from 7 to 14 years – 3-5 ml.

If the prepared injection solution has a dosage of less than 1 ml, it must be brought up to the required syringe volume with a sodium chloride solution (0.9%) or a glucose solution (5%).

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Use Calcium gluconate during pregnancy

Calcium Gluconate can only be used if the probable benefit to the mother outweighs the risk of adverse reactions in the fetus. Only a doctor can determine this ratio.

The medicine can pass into breast milk, so it is not recommended to use the medicine during lactation.

Contraindications

Among the contraindications:

• intolerance to the components of the drug;
• hypercalcemia, as well as severe hypercalciuria;
• hypercoagulability;
• tendency to form blood clots;
• severe form of atherosclerosis;
• increased blood clotting;
• calcium nephrolithiasis;
• severe renal failure;
• sarcoidosis;
• use of foxglove remedies.

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Side effects Calcium gluconate

Often, taking the medication is tolerated without complications, but sometimes the following side effects occur:

• disorders in the cardiovascular system: development of bradycardia;
• metabolic disorders: the appearance of hypercalciuria or hypercalcemia;
• problems with the gastrointestinal tract: the occurrence of constipation or diarrhea, vomiting with nausea, and in addition to this, epigastric pain. In case of prolonged use of large doses of drugs, calcium stones may form inside the intestine;
• damage to the urinary system: problems with kidney function (increased frequency of urination, as well as swelling in the legs);
• immune manifestations: allergy symptoms may be expected.

The symptoms described above quickly disappear after reducing the dosage or stopping taking the drug.

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Overdose

In case of long-term intake of calcium gluconate in large doses, hypercalcemia may be observed, against the background of which calcium salts are deposited inside the body. The risk of hypercalcemia increases in case of combination therapy with the use of large doses of calciferol or its derivatives.

Signs of hypercalcemia include: a feeling of weakness and drowsiness, abdominal pain, constipation with nausea and vomiting. In addition, anorexia, polyuria with polydipsia, a feeling of irritability and increased fatigue, depression, poor health and dehydration develop. Myalgia, heart rhythm disturbances, arthralgia and increased blood pressure may also develop.

During treatment, the drug must be discontinued. If a severe overdose is observed, calcitonin should be administered parenterally at a rate of 5-10 IU/kg/day (the drug should be diluted in 0.9% sodium chloride solution (500 ml)) - intravenously by drip over 6 hours. A slow jet injection intravenously can also be used: 2-4 times a day.

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Interactions with other drugs

The drug reduces the rate of absorption of the substances etidronate (and other bisphosphonates) and estramustine, as well as quinolones and tetracyclics, fluoride drugs and iron preparations for oral administration. Therefore, they should be taken at intervals of at least 3 hours.

Calcium gluconate weakens the effectiveness of the substance phenytoin.

In case of combination with calciferol or its derivatives, an increase in the degree of calcium absorption is observed. Cholestyramine reduces calcium absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

As a result of combination with cardiac glycosides, their cardiotoxic properties are potentiated.

Due to the simultaneous use with thiazide diuretics, the likelihood of hypercalcemia may increase.

The drug can weaken the effect of calcitonin during hypercalcemia, as well as the level of bioavailability of the substance phenytoin. At the same time, it has the effect of a Ca channel blocker.

When used in combination with quinidine, inhibition of intraventricular conduction may be observed, as well as an increase in the toxic properties of this substance.

Forms poorly soluble or insoluble calcium salts with salicylates, carbonates, and sulfates.

Calcium absorption from the gastrointestinal tract may be reduced by eating certain foods, such as bran and rhubarb, as well as spinach and cereals.

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Storage conditions

Calcium gluconate should be kept away from small children. Temperature indicators during storage cannot exceed 25°C.

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Special instructions

Reviews

Calcium gluconate is most often used to treat allergies - this is demonstrated by most reviews. The drug is prescribed to both adults and infants. Many patients consider it a very effective alternative to more expensive drugs.

To compensate for the lack of calcium in the body, tablets are often used, although sometimes a solution is administered intramuscularly or intravenously.

Regarding intramuscular injections of the drug, it is stated that such injections are quite painful, and the pain usually appears not during the procedure, but after it.

Reviews also show that the intravenous administration of the solution is easier to tolerate than intramuscular injections. It is also necessary to take into account that after such an injection you cannot get up abruptly, it is recommended to lie down for a while.

Although the injections of the drug are very painful, it is very effective in the treatment of pink lichen, allergic symptoms, and in addition to this, heavy menstruation, herpes with lingering sore throat and other diseases.

Calcium gluconate helps pregnant women to significantly reduce leg cramps and also helps to strengthen teeth and nails.

It is important to remember that this is a medication, so only a doctor can prescribe it.

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Shelf life

Calcium gluconate is permitted to be used for a period of 5 years from the date of manufacture of the drug.

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