Calcium Chloride

PHARMACOLOGY & ACTIONS

• Increases extracellular and intracellular calcium levels.

• Stimulates release of catecholamines.

• Increases cardiac contractile state (positive inotropic effect).

• Essential to a number of physiologic processes including transmission of nerve impulses, contraction of cardiac, smooth and skeletal muscles.

• Has stabilizing effect on myocardial cell membranes in setting of hyperkalemia.

INDICATIONS

• Suspected hyperkalemia.

• Antidote for calcium channel blocker overdose.

ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATIONS

• Do not use in setting of suspected digoxin toxicity.

• Hypercalcemia.

• Suspected severe hypokalemia (life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias may occur).

• Calcium chloride allergy.

PRECAUTIONS & SIDE EFFECTS

• May cause discomfort at injection site.

• Will precipitate if mixed with sodium bicarbonate.

ADMINISTRATION

IV

Onset:

immediate

Peak Effect:

unknown

Duration:

varies

GUIDELINES CONTAINING CALCIUM CHLORIDE

• Hyperglycemia: Adult & Pediatric

• Cardiac Arrest (VF/VT/Asystole/PEA): Adult & Pediatric

• Extremity Trauma: Adult & Pediatric

• Dermal Chemical Burns: Adult & Pediatric