(Originally posted on 2004-06-13) Calcium Chloride - pH: 5.5-7.5
- Strength: 10ml (10%) contains 13.5mEq (272mg) Ca
- Dilution: Preferably diluted with an equal volume of Water/NS to 5%
- Potency: 3 times more potent than calcium gluconate
- Precautions: IV use only
Ca Gluconate - pH: 6.0-8.2
- Strength: 10ml (10%) contains 4.65mEq (93mg) Ca
- Dilution: May be diluted in up to 1L NS
- Potency: 1/3 potency of calcium chloride
- Precautions: IM use permitted in adults only if IV cannot be accomplished
(Note: Ca preparations other than Ca chloride are often preferred except in cardiac resuscitation or verapamil toxicity.) Reference: 1997 Intravenous Medications (13th edition) |