CALCIUM GLUCONATE Sterile injection Ref.[7789] Active ingredients: Calcium gluconate

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Solutions affecting the electrolyte balance, electrolytes
ATC code: B05BB01

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human organism (approx. 1.5% of the entire body weight). More than 99% of the body’s total calcium is located in bones and teeth, approx. 1% is dissolved in intra- and extracellular fluid.

Calcium is necessary for the functional integrity of nerves and muscles. It is essential for muscle contraction, cardiac function and blood coagulation.

The physiological level of the plasma calcium concentration is maintained at 2.25–2.75 mmol/l. As about 40-50% of the plasma calcium is bound to albumin, total plasma calcium is coupled to the plasma protein concentration. The concentration of ionised calcium lies between 1.23 and 1.43 mmol/l, regulated by calcitonin and parathormone.

Hypocalcaemia (total calcium below 2.25 mmol/l or ionised calcium below 1.23 mmol/l, respectively) may be caused by renal failure, vitamin D deficiency, magnesium deficiency, massive blood transfusion, osteoblastic malignant tumours, hypoparathyroidism, or intoxication with phosphates, oxalates, fluorides, strontium or radium.

Hypocalcaemia may be accompanied by the following symptoms: increased neuromuscular excitability up to tetany, paraesthesia, carpopedal spasms, spasms of smooth muscles e.g. in the form of intestinal colic, muscle weakness, confusion, cerebral convulsive seizures and cardiac symptoms like prolonged QT interval, arrhythmia and even acute myocardial failure.

The therapeutic effect of parenteral calcium substitution is normalisation of pathologically low serum calcium levels and thus relief of the symptoms of hypocalcaemia.