Calcium gluconate | Supplier and Producer‎ | Visakhapatnam India

Calcium gluconate is a mineral supplement and medication. As a medication it is used by injection into a vein to treat low blood calcium, high blood potassium, and magnesium toxicity. Supplementation is generally only required when there is not enough calcium in the diet. Supplementation may be done to treat or prevent osteoporosis or rickets. It can also be taken by mouth but is not recommended for injection into a muscle.

Side effects when injected include slow heart rate, pain at the site of injection, and low blood pressure. When taken by mouth side effects may include constipation and nausea. Blood calcium levels should be measured when used and extra care should be taken in those with a history of kidney stones. At normal doses use is regarded as safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Calcium gluconate is made by mixing gluconic acid with calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide.

Calcium gluconate came into medical use in the 1920s. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. Calcium gluconate is available as a generic medication. The wholesale cost in the developing world is about 0.21 to 1.34 USD per one gram vial, 10 ml of 100 mg/ml (10% solution). In the United Kingdom this amount costs the NHS about 0.65 pounds.

Medical uses

Low blood calcium

10% calcium gluconate solution (given intravenously) is the form of calcium most widely used in the treatment of low blood calcium. This form of calcium is not as well absorbed as calcium lactate, and it only contains 0.93% (930 mg/dl) calcium ion (defined by 1 g weight solute in 100 ml of solution to make 1% solution w/v). Therefore, if the hypocalcemia is acute and severe, calcium chloride is given instead.

High blood potassium

Calcium gluconate is used as a cardioprotective agent in people with high blood potassium levels, with one alternative being the use of calcium chloride. It is recommended when the potassium levels are high (>6.5 mmol/l) or when the electrocardiogram (ECG) shows changes due to high blood potassium.

Though it does not have an effect on potassium levels in the blood, it reduces the excitability of cardiomyocytes, thereby lowering the likelihood of cardiac arrhythmias.
Magnesium sulfate overdose

It is also used to counteract an overdose of Epsom salts magnesium sulfate, which is often administered to pregnant women in order to prophylactically prevent seizures (as in a patient experiencing preeclampsia). Magnesium sulfate is no longer given to pregnant women who are experiencing premature labor in order to slow or stop their contractions (other tocolytics are now used instead due to better efficacy and side effect profiles).[citation needed] Excess magnesium sulfate results in magnesium sulfate toxicity, which results in both respiratory depression and a loss of deep tendon reflexes (hyporeflexia).
Hydrofluoric acid burns
A tube of calcium gluconate gel

Gel preparations of calcium gluconate are used to treat hydrofluoric acid burns. This is because calcium gluconate reacts with hydrofluoric acid to form insoluble, non-toxic calcium fluoride.
Black widow spider bites
Historically, IV calcium gluconate was used as an antidote for black widow spider envenomation, often in conjunction with muscle relaxants. This therapy, however, has since been shown to be ineffective.