Calcium Gluconate Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 13, 2025.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypocalcemia

Initial dose: 1000 to 2000 mg intravenously (IV)
Subsequent doses (as needed):

• IV bolus: 1000 to 2000 mg every 6 hours
• Continuous IV infusion: Initiate at 5.4 to 21.5 mg/kg/hour

Maximum IV bolus infusion rate: 200 mg/min

Comments:

• Adjust dose based on symptom severity, serum calcium level, and acuity of hypocalcemia onset.
• The safety of long term intravenous use has not been established.
• The injectable product contains 100 mg calcium gluconate per mL, equal to 9.3 mg (0.465 mEq) elemental calcium.

Use: Acute symptomatic hypocalcemia

Usual Adult Dose for Dietary Supplement

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for elemental calcium:
18 to 50 to years: 1000 mg
51 to 70 years, male: 1000 mg
51 to 70 years, female: 1200 mg

Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for elemental calcium:
18 years: 3000 mg
19 to 50 years: 2500 mg
51 and older: 2000 mg

Usual Adult Dose for Hyperkalemia

The National Kidney Foundation recommends:
6.8 mmol calcium (30 mL of calcium gluconate 10% solution) intravenously for membrane potential stabilization

Usual Geriatric Dose for Dietary Supplement

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for elemental calcium:
51 to 70 years, male: 1000 mg
51 to 70 years, female: 1200 mg
71 years and older:1200 mg

Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for elemental calcium: 2000 mg

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypocalcemia

Under 1 month:
Initial dose: 100 to 200 mg/kg intravenously (IV)
Subsequent doses (as needed):

• IV bolus: 100 to 200 mg/kg every 6 hours
• Continuous IV infusion: Initiate at 17 to 33 mg/kg/hour

Maximum IV bolus infusion rate: 100 mg/min

1 month to under 17 years:
Initial dose: 29 to 60 mg/kg intravenously (IV)
Subsequent doses (as needed):

• IV bolus: 29 to 60 mg/kg every 6 hours
• Continuous IV infusion: Initiate at 8 to 13 mg/kg/hour

Maximum IV bolus infusion rate: 100 mg/min

Comments:

• Adjust dose based on symptom severity, serum calcium level, and acuity of hypocalcemia onset.
• The safety of long term intravenous use has not been established.
• The injectable product contains 100 mg calcium gluconate per mL, equal to 9.3 mg (0.465 mEq) elemental calcium.

Use: Acute symptomatic hypocalcemia

Usual Pediatric Dose for Dietary Supplement

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for elemental calcium:
0 to 6 months: 200 mg
7 to 12 months: 260 mg
1 to 3 years: 700 mg
4 to 8 years: 1000 mg
9 to 18 years: 1300 mg

Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for elemental calcium:
0 to 6 months: 1000 mg
7 to 12 months: 1500 mg
1 to 8 years: 2500 mg
9 to 18 years: 3000 mg

Renal Dose Adjustments

Use with caution.

• Initiate at the lowest recommended dose for the age; measure serum calcium every 4 hours during intravenous administration.

Liver Dose Adjustments

No adjustment recommended.

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

• Hypercalcemia
• Neonates (28 days or younger) receiving ceftriaxone

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

• Administer intravenous (IV) solution via a secure line to avoid calcinosis cutis and extravasation.
• The IV solution should be clear and colorless to slightly yellow; do not use if cloudy or discolored.
• Bolus IV administration: Dilute dose to a 10 to 50 mg/mL concentration; administer slowly (max 200 mg/min in adults and 100 mg/min in children); monitor patient, vitals, and electrocardiograph (ECG) during administration:
• Continuous IV infusion: Dilute dose to a 5.8 to 10 mg/mL concentration; administer at correct rate for age; monitor patient, vitals, and ECG during administration.

Reconstitution/preparation techniques:

• Dilute IV solution in 5% dextrose or 0.9% sodium chloride.
• Use diluted solution immediately after preparation.

IV compatibility:

• Incompatible with ceftriaxone; ceftriaxone-calcium precipitates may occur.
• Incompatible with fluids containing bicarbonate or phosphate; precipitation may occur.
• Incompatible with minocycline; calcium complexes minocycline, inactivating it.

Monitoring:

• Measure serum calcium every 1 to 4 hours during intravenous administration.

See also:

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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