Table of Contents

CALCIUM PRODUCTS AND DOSING

Salt Form Strength Elemental Ca++
Calcium acetate tablet 667mg 169mg
Calcium carbonate tab (Tums®, Oscal®) 500mg 200mg
tab (Apocal®) 1250mg 500mg
tab (Caltrate®) 1500mg 600mg

Calcium chloride

injection (10%) 100mg/mL 27.3mg/mL (1.36mEq/mL)
Calcium compound

effervescent tab
(Calcium Sandoz®)

500mg 500mg
Calcium compound effervescent tab
(GramCal®)
1000mg 1000mg
Calcium compound liquid 100mg/5mL 20mg/mL
Calcium gluconate tablet1
injection (10%)
650mg
100mg/mL
60mg
9.0mg/mL (0.46mEq/mL)
1 non-formulary drug

Treatment of Hypocalcemia:

Parenteral :
Acute hypocalcemia:

7-14mEq calcium (15-30mL calcium gluconate) IV in 50-100mL NS or D5W over 15-30 minutes (maximum rate 0.9mEq/minute). May follow with infusion of 0.3-0.8% solution (30-40mL calcium gluconate in 500-1000mL IV solution) administered over 3-12 hours.

Nurses in special & critical care areas and Physicians may administer direct IV at rate not to exceed 0.9mEq/min (2mL/min calcium gluconate).

Oral Replacement:

Mild hypocalcemia:

1-2g calcium or more per day in 2-4 divided doses.