Adult Dosing

• 1000 mg of calcium gluconate = 90 mg/4.5 mEq/2.3 mmol of elemental calcium

Hypocalcemia

• Usual dose: 1-2 g as elemental calcium PO divided bid-tid

Prevention of hypocalcemia

• 1 g as elemental calcium PO divided bid-tid

Prevention of osteoporosis in women

• 1-1.5 g as elemental calcium PO divided bid-tid

• Tablet should be taken 1-2 hrs after meal
• Patients on chronic systemic corticosteroid therapy maintain an adequate calcium intake of about 1.5 g of elemental calcium daily

Pediatric Dosing

• 1000 mg of calcium gluconate = 90 mg/4.5 mEq/2.3 mmol of elemental calcium

Nutritional supplement

• 1-3 yrs of age: 500 mg as elemental calcium PO divided bid-tid
• 4-8 yrs of age: 800 mg as elemental calcium PO divided bid-tid
• 9-18 yrs of age: 1300 mg as elemental calcium PO divided bid-tid

Hypocalcemia

• Neonates: 50-150 mg/kg/day as elemental calcium PO divided bid-tid
• Max: 1 g/day

• 1000 mg of calcium gluconate = 90 mg/4.5 mEq/2.3 mmol of elemental calcium

[Outline]

• Adult Dosing
• Pediatric Dosing

• As a dietary supplement for prevention and treatment of hypocalcemia

• Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of the product
• Hypercalcemia

• N/A

Renal Dose Adjustment

• Renal impairment: Caution advised, Dose adjustments not defined

Hepatic Dose Adjustment

• Hepatic impairment: Dose adjustments not defined

• Monitor plasma calcium levels closely in patients with renal impairment and/or if large doses of vitamin D are used concurrently
• Avoid over treatment
• Oral calcium salt can cause gastric irritation and constipation

Cautions : Use cautiously in

• Renal impairment
• Hepatic impairment
• Cardiovascular disease
• History of renal calculi
• Sarcoidosis
• Patients receiving cardiac glycosides
• GI bleeding

Pregnancy Category:C

Breastfeeding: Safety unknown, It is not known whether this drug is excreted in breast milk. however manufacturer advises caution when administered to a nursing woman.

• GI: Chalky taste, constipation, GI irritation
• METABOLIC: Hypercalcemia
• GU: Renal calculi

• Mineral supplement; maintains cell membrane and capillary permeability, assists transmission of nerve impulses and contraction of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle
• Absorbed from the GI tract by active transport and passive diffusion
• Metabolism: calcium gets into body pool of calcium

US Trade Name(s)

• Only generic available

US Availability

Calcium gluconate (generic)

• TABS: 500, 650, 1000 mg

Canadian Trade Name(s)

• N/A

Canadian Availability

• N/A

UK Trade Name(s)

• Only generic available

UK Availability

Calcium gluconate (generic)

• EFFER TABS: 1000mg

Australian Trade Name(s)

• N/A

Australian Availability

• N/A

[Outline]

Nutrition/Electrolytes

Minerals & Electrolytes