Calcium gluconate is available in every department of the hospital. The opinion of the doctor using this drug suggests that without this medicine it is impossible to treat many diseases, especially those when the body’s cells especially need calcium.
The need for calcium ions for the body
Calcium is one of the basic elements necessary for the normal function of the human body and, when examined, is found in all tissues. Gluconate and calcium chloride - these salt solutions are perhaps the most popular for the treatment of life-threatening conditions associated with hypocalcemia and hyperkalemia. Additional indications include severe acute hypocalcemia, poisoning with beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers.
Calcium can be administered parenterally in two different forms: chloride and gluconate. The most commonly prescribed calcium gluconate is intravenous. Reviews indicate that with this introduction, a minimum of unpleasant sensations and good tolerance. 10 ml of a 10% solution contains 8.9 mg / ml of elemental calcium. In contrast, an ampoule of 10% calcium chloride provides three times a higher concentration of elemental calcium (27.2 mg / ml). Calcium chloride can only be administered intravenously, as it causes tissue necrosis in case of accidental contact with the skin. Calcium gluconate (confirmation of paramedics to the confirmation of this) is the most preferred option in patients who do not suffer from hemodynamic instability. However, gluconate in the liver is metabolized to calcium ions and becomes bioavailable, therefore, in conditions of unstable hemodynamics or poor liver function, calcium chloride is preferable. So, if the appointment of calcium gluconate is indicated, it can be replaced with calcium chloride, but only a third of the dose can be used and remember that the appointment of calcium chloride is advisable with good venous access with constant monitoring during administration.
Drug properties
Calcium gluconate is a combination of calcium and gluconic acid.
Calcium is required for the effective functioning of the heart, muscle and nervous systems. The need for the correct formation of blood clots in the blood of the use of Calcium Gluconate has been proven. The doctors’ review recalls that in diseases where high levels of calcium are necessary, for example, with hypocalcemia, tetany, allergic and inflammatory processes, and some types of poisoning, therapy without this drug will be ineffective.
Calcium gluconate is usually prescribed by a doctor when indicated. In each case, the dosage is selected individually.
If during use of the drug, a deterioration occurs, then it is necessary to reconsider the appointment or reduce the dosage of the drug. When patients receive a large amount of medication, various complications are possible.
Indications
There are many different diseases in which the purpose of the drug "Calcium gluconate" is indicated. The instruction, reviews of many practicing doctors allow us to identify groups of diseases, the main cause of which is:
- hypocalcemia;
- increased membrane permeability;
- impaired susceptibility of nerve impulses by myocytes.
Accepted medication for:
- hypoparathyroidism (osteoporosis, latent tetany), metabolic disorders, especially vitamin D: rickets (osteomalacia, spasmophilia), hyperphosphatemia in patients with renal failure;
- increased need for calcium ions: during pregnancy, during lactation and enhanced growth of the body; insufficient calcium in food, impaired metabolism (in postmenopausal women);
- enhanced excretion of calcium ions, for example, with prolonged bed rest, chronic diarrhea, secondary hypocalcemia with prolonged use of diuretics and antiepileptic drugs, glucocorticosteroids;
- poisoning with magnesium salts, fluoride, oxalic acids and their salts;
- hypercalcemic form of paroxysmal myoplegia.
Calcium gluconate is indicated for allergies. Reviews indicate a rapid improvement, as it reduces the permeability of capillaries and reduces swelling. This property is used to treat thrombocytopenic purpura and exudative dermatoses, such as herpetiform dermatitis.
Contraindications
The medical professional prescribes the drug with extreme caution or does not prescribe it if the patient:
- is allergic, sensitive, or reacts to any of the ingredients of calcium gluconate;
- is an elderly person;
- suffers from cancer with spread to the bone tissue;
- has heart problems;
- the examination reveals high levels of calcium in the blood, hypercalciuria and high numbers of vitamin D;
- has kidney disease.
Calcium gluconate is prescribed with extreme caution or is not prescribed at all to children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Side effects
In medicine, there is a rule that a drug is prescribed only when clinical trials have shown that the benefits of taking the medicine outweigh the risks. Some side effects may be serious, while others may be regarded as minor inconveniences.
Different patients have different reactions to drugs. It is difficult to predict what side effects you will have from taking a particular medicine, or if there will be side effects on all drugs. The main thing is that you must inform your doctor about any unpleasant sensations that have arisen.
Reactions to taking the drug can occur in many cases:
- After intravenous injection , problems may occur if calcium gluconate is not administered correctly.
- Immediately after the injection, nausea, vomiting, hot flashes, sweating, low blood pressure, tingling, feelings of depression or heat waves, arrhythmias are possible if calcium gluconate is injected too quickly. But in some cases, circulatory problems can be fatal.
- There may be complaints of a chalky taste after the administration of Calcium Gluconate-Vial. Reviews of many patients indicate such side effects.
- Abscessing is rarely observed after intramuscular injection.
If you feel unwell or have concerns about a side effect, be sure to inform your healthcare provider.
Taking other medicines
If you take more than one medicine, they can interact with each other, enhancing or decreasing each other's effectiveness.
The decision to use drugs that interact depends on the specific circumstances. In such cases, it is necessary to change the dose or monitor the drug more carefully.
When prescribing treatment, you must tell the doctor the names of all the medicines that you are taking. In this case, all possible interactions will be taken into account. This includes all medicines prescribed by your doctor, dentist, nurse, foster nurse, midwife, or pharmacist. You should also say about the medicines that you bought at the pharmacy without a prescription.
If you are taking calcium gluconate and one of the above drugs or types of drugs, make sure your doctor knows about it.
Testimonies of the incompatibility of the drug "Calcium Gluconate" reviews. Tablets or injection cannot be combined with carbonates, salicylates, sulfates. This is confirmed by the vast practice of using this drug. The formation of complexes with tetracyclines reduces the antibacterial effect of the latter. In the treatment of digitalis drugs, the parenteral use of calcium gluconate is not indicated due to the increased toxic effect of glycosides. Calcium gluconate and thiazide diuretics can enhance hypercalcemia. The effect of calcitonin with hypercalcemia and the bioavailability of phenytoin are reduced when combined with this drug.
Medicines such as ceftriaxone, calcium channel blockers, cardiac glycosides, or thiazide diuretics do not combine with Calcium Gluconate because the effect of interacting drugs decreases.
Complementary preparations and vitamins
Calcium gluconate can be combined with complementary drugs and vitamins. In general, there is not much information available about their interactions. If you are going to take or are already taking any drugs and vitamins, you should ask your doctor about the presence of known effects when used together with calcium gluconate.
Diet
Medications can interact with a number of nutrients. In some cases, this can be harmful, and your doctor may advise you to follow a certain diet.
If you take calcium gluconate, there are no specific foods that you need to exclude from your diet. And even drinking alcohol will not affect the effectiveness of the drug.
Family Planning and Pregnancy
Most drugs can affect the development of the baby in the womb. When taking calcium gluconate, you should not self-medicate. The medicine can only be prescribed by your doctor.
You need to discuss specific circumstances with your doctor to weigh the overall risks and benefits of taking this medicine. You and your doctor decide whether you will take this medicine during pregnancy.
If the solution is that you should not use calcium gluconate, you should discuss whether there is an alternative medicine that can be taken during pregnancy.
This medicine passes into breast milk, therefore, nursing mothers need to weigh all the risks and benefits of such an appointment.
Only a doctor decides the advisability of prescribing calcium gluconate to children. Pediatrician reviews are consistent with the proposition that small patients tolerate the drug well.
Administration Forms
The possible introduction of the drug "Calcium gluconate" - intramuscularly. Reviews of many doctors say that this method is safe, with a longer effect of the drug. Intravenous administration is used in acute conditions or to achieve a quick effect. This method is more acceptable for children according to the scheme of 2-3 days with a one-day break of 1-5 ml. V / m is administered only to adults every day or according to the scheme in an intermittent course: 2-3 days of admission - 1 day break - 2-3 days of administration.
Tablets are taken 2 or 3 times a day for 1-3 g (2-6 tablets), without mixing with food and preferably washed down with milk.
There are many indications for using Calcium Gluconate. The response of the therapist or pediatrician allows us to conclude that the purpose of each medicine is stability, safety and effectiveness. Only from these positions is the use of the drug indicated.