Calcium chloride

Thiazide diuretics may increase the risk of hypercalcaemia.

Calcium-containing products may decrease the effectiveness of calcium channel blockers.

Calcium salts reduce the absorption of tetracyclines.

Calcium salts reduce the absorption of bisphosphonates (in the treatment of Paget’s disease or hypercalcaemia of malignancy) and must be given at least 12 hours apart.

In patients of any age ceftriaxone must not be mixed or administered simultaneously with any calcium-containing IV solutions, even via different infusion lines or at different infusion sites. However, in patients older than 28 days of age ceftriaxone and calcium-containing solutions may be administered sequentially one after another if infusion lines at different sites are used, or if the infusion lines are replaced or thoroughly flushed between infusions with physiological salt-solution to avoid precipitation. In patients requiring continuous infusion with calcium-containing TPN solutions, healthcare professionals may wish to consider the use of alternative antibacterial treatments which do not carry a similar risk of precipitation. If use of ceftriaxone is considered necessary in patients requiring continuous nutrition, TPN solutions and ceftriaxone can be administered simultaneously, albeit via different infusion lines at different sites. Alternatively, infusion of TPN solution could be stopped for the period of ceftriaxone infusion, considering the advice to flush infusion lines between solutions.

Studies on the effects of calcium chloride on pregnant women have not been carried out and problems have not been documented. Calcium crosses the placenta. The benefits of administration must outweigh any potential risk.

Calcium is excreted in breast milk but there are no data on the effects, if any, on the infant. It is recommended an increase in calcium intake during lactation. Furthermore, the absorption of calcium is increased during pregnancy and lactation.

No adverse effects have been reported.