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Calcium chloride Side Effects

Medically reviewed on Jul 4, 2018

For the Consumer

Applies to calcium chloride: intravenous solution

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

  • Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Dizziness or passing out.
  • Mood changes.
  • Change in how much urine is passed.
  • A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
  • Back pain, belly pain, or blood in the urine. May be signs of a kidney stone.
  • This drug may cause tissue damage if the drug leaks from the vein. Tell your nurse if you have any redness, burning, pain, swelling, blisters, skin sores, or leaking of fluid where the drug is going into your body.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to calcium chloride: compounding powder, injectable solution

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects, upon rapid injection, have included tingling sensations, a calcium taste, or a sense of oppression or "heat wave."[Ref]

Local

Local side effects have included phlebitis, a "burning" sensation and calcinosis cutis at the site of intravenous administration. Calcification of veins has been rarely reported.[Ref]

A slow infusion rate through a small bore needle into a large vein may minimize this venous irritation.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

During ischemia, myocardial cells lose their ability to pump intracellular calcium back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum and out of the cell during diastole. Sustained increases in the intracellular calcium concentration lead to pathological intracellular changes that may result in reduced myocardial systolic and diastolic function.

Calcium may reduce myocardial oxygen supply by causing coronary artery vasoconstriction or spasm or by increasing ventricular contractility and work.

The American Heart Association no longer recommends the routine use of calcium chloride during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

While many of the cardiovascular effects of injection can be expected, some may be anticipated and prevented. Injections can be accompanied by peripheral vasodilatation as well as a local "burning" sensation. Injections that are too rapid may produce hypotension and/or syncope. Rare complications following infusion include the development of vasospastic angina, serious cardiac arrhythmias, AV dissociation, or shock. Some of these side effects have occurred in patients who were digitalized. Extreme caution is advised when administering to a patient who has received digitalis since calcium may unmask digitalis intoxication.[Ref]

Cardiovascular side effects have included peripheral vasodilation, hypotension, and syncope. Vasospastic angina, serious cardiac arrhythmias, AV dissociation, and shock have been reported rarely. Administration to digitalized patients may unmask digitalis intoxication.[Ref]

References

1. "Product Information. Calcium chloride 10% (calcium chloride)." Astra USA, Westborough, MA.

2. Edelson GW, Kleerekoper M "Hypercalcemic crisis." Med Clin North Am 79 (1995): 79-92

3. Speer ME, Rudolph AJ "Calcification of superficial scalp veins secondary to intravenous infusion of sodium bicarbonate and calcium chloride." Cutis 32 (1983): 65-6

4. Miura T, Akiba H, Saito N, Seiji M, Tanaka S, Okada Y "Calcinosis cutis developing after phlebitis." Dermatologica 146 (1973): 292-6

5. Thompson BM, Steuven HS, Tonsfeldt DJ, Aprahamian C, Troiano PF, Kastenson GH, Hendley GE, Mateer JR, Tucker JF "Calcium: limited indications, some danger." Circulation 74 (1986): iv90-3

6. Goldminz D, Barnhill R, McGuire J, Stenn KS "Calcinosis cutis following extravasation of calcium chloride." Arch Dermatol 124 (1988): 922-5

7. Auerbach PS, Langenberg A "Ventricular fibrillation associated with calcium administration during cardiopulmonary resuscitation." J Emerg Nurs 11 (1985): 69-71

8. Boulanger M, Maille JG, Pelletier GB, Michalk S "Vasospastic angina after calcium injection." Anesth Analg 63 (1984): 1124-6

9. Harrison EE, Amey BD "The use of calcium in cardiac resuscitation." Am J Emerg Med 1 (1983): 267-73

10. Katz AM "Is calcium beneficial or deleterious in patients with cardiac arrest?" Ann Intern Med 109 (1988): 91-2

11. Chin RL, Garmel GM, Harter PM "Development of ventricular fibrillation after intravenous calcium chloride administration in a patient with supraventricular tachycardia." Ann Emerg Med 25 (1995): 416-9

12. Carlon GC, Howland WS, Goldiner PL, Kahn RC, Bertoni G, Turnbull AD "Adverse effects of calcium administration. Report of two cases." Arch Surg 113 (1978): 882-5

13. Stempien A, Katz AM, Messineo FC "Calcium and cardiac arrest." Ann Intern Med 105 (1986): 603-6

14. Royster RL, Butterworth JF 4th, Prielipp RC, Robertie PG, Kon ND, Tucker WY, Dudas LM, Zaloga GP "A randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled evaluation of calcium chloride and epinephrine for inotropic support after emergence from cardiopulmonary bypass." Anesth Analg 74 (1992): 3-13

Further information

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

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer

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