calcium gluconate

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Arrhythmias with Concomitant Cardiac Glycoside Use: If concomitant therapy is necessary, calcium gluconate injection should be given slowly in small amounts and close ECG monitoring is recommended. (5.1) End-Organ Damage due to Intravascular Ceftriaxone-Calcium Precipitates: Concurrent use of intravenous ceftriaxone may cause life-threatening precipitates. Cases of fatal outcomes in neonates have occurred. (4, 5.2) Tissue Necrosis and Calcinosis: Calcinosis cutis can occur with or without extravasation of calcium gluconate injection. Tissue necrosis, ulceration and secondary infection are the most serious complications. If extravasation occurs or clinical manifestations of calcinosis cutis are noted, immediately discontinue intravenous administration at that site and treat as needed. (5.3) Hypotension, Bradycardia and Cardiac Arrhythmias with Rapid Administration: To avoid adverse reactions that may follow rapid intravenous administration, calcium gluconate injection should be diluted with 5% dextrose or normal saline and infused slowly, with careful ECG monitoring for cardiac arrhythmias. (5.4) Aluminum Toxicity: This product contains aluminum, up to 400 mcg per liter, that may be toxic. (5.5) 5.1 Arrhythmias with Concomitant Cardiac Glycoside Use Cardiac arrhythmias may occur if calcium and cardiac glycosides are administered together. Hypercalcemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Administration of calcium gluconate injection should be avoided in patients receiving cardiac glycosides. If concomitant therapy is necessary, calcium gluconate injection should be given slowly in small amounts and with close ECG monitoring [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ] . 5.2 End-Organ Damage due to Intravascular Ceftriaxone-Calcium Precipitates Concomitant use of ceftriaxone and calcium gluconate injection is contraindicated in neonates (28 days of age or younger) due to cases of fatal outcomes in neonates in which a crystalline material was observed in the lungs and kidneys at autopsy after ceftriaxone and calcium were administrated simultaneously through the same intravenous line. Concomitant administration can lead to the formation of ceftriaxone-calcium precipitates that may act as emboli, resulting in vascular spasm or infarction [see Contraindications (4) ]. In patients older than 28 days of age, ceftriaxone and calcium gluconate injection may be administered sequentially, provided the infusion lines are thoroughly flushed between infusions with a compatible fluid. Do not administer ceftriaxone simultaneously with calcium gluconate injection via a Y-site in any age group. 5.3 Tissue Necrosis and Calcinosis Intravenous administration of calcium gluconate injection and local trauma may result in calcinosis cutis due to transient increase in local calcium concentration. Calcinosis cutis can occur with or without extravasation of calcium gluconate injection, is characterized by abnormal dermal deposits of calcium salts and clinically manifests as papules, plaques or nodules that may be associated with erythema, swelling or induration. Tissue necrosis, ulceration and secondary infection are the most serious complications. If extravasation occurs or clinical manifestations of calcinosis cutis are noted, immediately discontinue intravenous administration at that site and treat as needed. 5.4 Hypotension, Bradycardia and Cardiac Arrhythmias with Rapid Administration Rapid injection of calcium gluconate injection may cause vasodilation, decreased blood pressure, bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, syncope and cardiac arrest. To avoid adverse reactions that may follow rapid intravenous administration, calcium gluconate injection should be diluted with 5% dextrose or normal saline and infused slowly. If rapid intravenous bolus of calcium gluconate injection is required, the rate of intravenous administration should not exceed 200 mg/minute in adults and 100 mg/minute in pediatric patients and ECG monitoring during administration is recommended [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . 5.5 Aluminum Toxicity Calcium gluconate injection contains aluminum, up to 400 mcg per liter, that may be toxic. Aluminum may reach toxic levels with prolonged parenteral administration if kidney function is impaired. Premature neonates are particularly at risk because their kidneys are immature and they require large amounts of calcium and phosphate solutions, which contain aluminum. Research indicates that patients with impaired kidney function, including premature neonates, who receive parenteral levels of aluminum at greater than 4 mcg/kg/day to 5 mcg/kg/day accumulate aluminum levels associated with central nervous system and bone toxicity. Tissue loading may occur at even lower rates of administration.