Calcium Gluconate
Cation needed for maintenence of nervous, muscular, skeletal, enzyme reactions, normal cardiac contractility, coagulation of blood.  It affects secretory activity of exocrine and endocrine glands.  This drug and calcium chloride are used interchangably, but note that the dosages are different.
Indications:
Cardiac toxicity caused by hyperkalemia. 
Symptomatic calcium channel blocker overdose**
Magnesium Sulfate overdose.***
Contraindications:
Digitalis toxicity, hypercalcemia, ventricular fibrillation
Common Side Effects:
None commonly

Potentially Lethal Side Effects:
Cardiac arrest, coma
Adult dosing:
Calcium Gluconate 5-20ml (0.5-2g) of 10% IV 0.5ml/min
Pediatric dosing:
Calcium Gluconate 10% 20 mg/kg/10 min slow push.  Max 500mg/day in divided doses.
Notes:
** Signs and symptoms of symptomatic calcium channel blocker overdose are bradycardia, conduction delays, hypotension, lethargy, slurred speech, nausea/vomiting.

***   When used as an antagonist to Magnesium Sulfate overdose, initial dose may be repeated after 10 minutes of no response to initial dose.

!   Never mix Calcium with Sodium Bicarbonate, as a precipitate will form.

-   Calcium Channel Blockers include the following drugs:  Verapamil, Cardizem, Nifedipine, Nicardipine, Nimodipine, Felodipine, Amiodipine, Bepridil, Flunarizine, Isradipine, Nisoldipine, Nitrendipine.
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