(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)