Glucalcium

Uses

Glucalcium is used for Antidote in severe hypermagnesaemia, Severe hyperkalaemia, Hypocalcaemic tetany, Severe acute hypocalcaemia, Hypocalcaemia and calcium deficiency states

Glucalcium is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Bone and tooth decay, Bone and tooth growth, Calcium Deficiency, Hypocalcemia, Nutritional Rickets, Osteomalacia, Osteoporosis, Otospongiosis, Postmenopausal Osteoporosis, Vitamin D Insufficiency, Vitamin D Resistant Rickets

How Glucalcium works

Calcium is essential for the functional integrity of the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems. It plays a role in normal cardiac function, renal function, respiration, blood coagulation, and cell membrane and capillary permeability. Also, calcium helps to regulate the release and storage of neurotransmitters and hormones, the uptake and binding of amino acids, absorption of vitamin B 12, and gastrin secretion. The major fraction (99%) of calcium is in the skeletal structure primarily as hydroxyapatite, Ca 10(PO 4) 6(OH) 2; small amounts of calcium carbonate and amorphous calcium phosphates are also present. The calcium of bone is in a constant exchange with the calcium of plasma. Since the metabolic functions of calcium are essential for life, when there is a disturbance in the calcium balance because of dietary deficiency or other causes, the stores of calcium in bone may be depleted to fill the body's more acute needs. Therefore, on a chronic basis, normal mineralization of bone depends on adequate amounts of total body calcium.

Dosage

Glucalcium dosage

Intravenous: Antidote in severe hypermagnesaemia, Severe hyperkalaemia:

• Adult: 10 ml of 10% calcium gluconate solution over 2 minutes, repeated every 10 minutes if needed.
• Child: Neonate and 1 mth-18 yr: 0.5 ml/kg of 10% calcium gluconate solution as a single dose. Max: 20 ml of 10% calcium gluconate solution.

Intravenous: Hypocalcaemic tetany, Severe acute hypocalcaemia:

• Adult: 2.25 mmol by slow IV inj over 10 minutes, followed by 58-77 ml of 10% calcium gluconate solution in 0.5-1 L of 5% dextrose solution as continuous IV infusion.
• Child: Neonate and 1 mth-18 yr: 0.5 ml/kg of 10% calcium gluconate solution as a single dose. Max: 20 ml of 10% calcium gluconate solution.

Side Effects

GI irritation; soft-tissue calcification, skin sloughing or necrosis after IM/SC inj. Hypercalcaemia characterised by anorexia, nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, mental disturbances, polydipsia, polyuria, nephrocalcinosis, renal calculi; chalky taste, hot flushes and peripheral vasodilation.

Toxicity

Infants : LDLo (Intramuscular ) : 10gm/kg ; Effects - Brain and coverings : meningeal changes Infants : TDLo ( Intramuscular ) : 143 mg/kg ; Effects - Dermatits Mouse: LD50 ( intravenous ) : 950mg/kg Mouse : LDLo (Oral ) : 10gm/kg

Precaution

Impaired renal function; cardiac disease; hypercalcaemia-associated diseases, e.g. sarcoidosis; other malignancies. Pregnancy.

Interaction

Co-administration of high calcium doses with thiazide diuretics may result in milk-alkali syndrome and hypercalcaemia. May potentiate digoxin toxicity. Decreases effects of calcium-channel blockers. Enhanced absorption with calcitriol (a vitamin D metabolite).

Food Interaction

• Take with a full glass of water.
• Take with food.

Volume of Distribution

Not available

Elimination Route

Approximately one-fifth to one-third of orally administered calcium is absorbed in the small intestine, depending on presence of vitamin D metabolites, pH in lumen, and on dietary factors, such as calcium binding to fiber or phytates. Calcium absorption is increased when a calcium deficiency is present or when a patient is on a low-calcium diet. In patients with achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria, calcium absorption, especially with the carbonate salt, may be reduced.

Elimination Route

Renal (20%) - The amount excreted in the urine varies with degree of calcium absorption and whether there is excessive bone loss or failure of renal conservation. Fecal (80%) - Consists mainly of nonabsorbed calcium, with only a small amount of endogenous fecal calcium excreted.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy Category C. Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the fetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Contraindication

Patients with calcium renal calculi or history of renal calculi. Conditions associated with hypercalcaemia and hypercalciuria.

Innovators Monograph

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