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calcium gluconate

Calcium Supplement · Electrolyte Supplement

Calcium SupplementElectrolyte Supplement
CDSCO approved
EXCRETION
not curated
INTERACTIONS
5 major
SEVERE in our sources
PREGNANCY
not curated
Top interactionssee all 5
  • BictegravirSevereDatabaseDDInter
  • CeftriaxoneSevereDatabaseDDInter
  • DigitoxinSevereDatabaseDDInter
  • DigoxinSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

Calcium gluconate provides calcium ions to the body. In hyperkalaemia, it temporarily protects against myocardial excitability and reduces the toxic effects of hyperkalaemia. In hypocalcaemia, it replenishes deficient calcium levels to correct the imbalance.

Indications

Acute severe hyperkalaemia (plasma-potassium concentration above 6.5 mmol/litre or in the presence of ECG changes)Severe acute hypocalcaemiaHypocalcaemic tetanysevere hypocalcemic tetanymoderate-to-severe hypocalcemiaextreme hyperkalemia (serum K+ >7 mEq/L)Tetany (immediate treatment of severe cases)Dietary supplement (growing children, pregnant, lactating and menopausal women)Osteoporosis (adjuvant role to alendronate/HRT/raloxifene)Empirically used in dermatoses, paresthesias, weakness

Dosing

Adult
For acute severe hyperkalaemia: 10% solution by slow intravenous injection, titrated and adjusted to ECG improvement. For severe acute hypocalcaemia or hypocalcaemic tetany: initial slow intravenous injection of 10% solution, with plasma-calcium and ECG monitoring; may be repeated as required or followed by continuous intravenous infusion to prevent recurrence.
Pediatric
Children 1–10 yr: 0.8–1.2 g; Young adult 11–24 yr: 1.2–1.5 g

Side effects

Common
Sense of warmth (on i.v. injection)ConstipationBloatingExcess gas
Serious
  • Arrhythmias (if given too rapidly)
  • Myocardial infarction (27% higher incidence in subjects receiving calcium supplements)

Drug interactions

Bictegravir
Severe
Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Ceftriaxone
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: others.

Source: DDInter

Digitoxin
Severe
Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Digoxin
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy.

Source: DDInter

Dolutegravir
Severe
Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

7 additional low-confidence interactions hidden — those rows lack a documented mechanism or management plan in our sources.

Related guidelines

Other Calcium Supplement drugs

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Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, Goodman & Gilman 14e, Katzung, BNF·Verified: 2026-05-10 · House clinical team