calcium chloride dihydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Injectable calcium salt and electrolyte replacement.
Licensed role
Treatment of hypocalcaemia or electrolyte imbalance.
Administration
Given slowly into a vein; infusion requires dilution with sodium chloride solution.
Key safety point
Leakage outside the vein can cause severe tissue injury.
What is calcium chloride dihydrate used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Hypocalcaemia—an abnormally low blood calcium level.
Electrolyte imbalance requiring intravenous calcium replacement.
Intravenous calcium salts may also be used to stabilise the heart in severe hyperkalaemia, but this is not a licensed indication for the selected product.
How does calcium chloride dihydrate work?
It supplies calcium ions needed for nerve signalling, muscle contraction, blood clotting and normal heart function. Calcium also increases the force of heart-muscle contraction.
How to take calcium chloride dihydrate
This injection is not taken by mouth or self-administered. A healthcare professional gives it slowly into a vein. For infusion, it is diluted with sodium chloride solution. The intravenous site must be watched closely because leakage can damage surrounding tissue.
Tell staff immediately if the site becomes painful, hot, swollen or unusually firm.
Food does not affect intravenous administration.
Do not drive or operate machinery if dizziness or drowsiness occurs.
calcium chloride dihydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Warmth or flushing, tingling, a calcium or metallic taste, local burning, nausea, sweating, dizziness or drowsiness.
- A moderate fall in blood pressure.
- Constipation, abdominal discomfort, thirst, increased urination or muscle weakness, particularly if calcium becomes excessive.
Get urgent medical advice
- Leakage outside the vein causing tissue death, skin sloughing or soft-tissue calcification.
- A slow or irregular heartbeat, severe blood-pressure changes or cardiac arrest.
- Excess calcium causing marked weakness, confusion, kidney stones or, in severe cases, coma.
- Calcium–ceftriaxone precipitation causing severe reactions, particularly in newborn babies.
calcium chloride dihydrate in pregnancy
Evidence specifically studying calcium chloride injection during pregnancy is limited, and calcium crosses the placenta. It may be used when the clinician judges that the expected benefit outweighs potential risk. Disclose pregnancy before treatment whenever circumstances allow.
calcium chloride dihydrate while breastfeeding
Calcium passes into breast milk, but it is not established whether intravenous calcium chloride affects a breastfed infant. The prescriber should consider the clinical need and maternal calcium status.
calcium chloride dihydrate interactions
The clinical team should review all medicines and intravenous solutions before administration.
Ceftriaxone
It can form dangerous precipitates with intravenous calcium. Concurrent administration is prohibited, with particularly strict restrictions in newborn babies.
Cardiac glycosides such as digoxin
Intravenous calcium may increase the danger of serious cardiac effects, requiring a clearly defined indication and close monitoring.
Calcium-channel blockers
Calcium-containing products may reduce their effect.
Common questions about calcium chloride dihydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can calcium chloride dihydrate be taken by mouth?
This formulation is an intravenous injection used in a clinical setting, not an oral calcium supplement.
Why must it be given slowly into a vein?
Rapid administration can cause warmth, tingling, blood-pressure changes and heart-rhythm disturbances. Leakage outside the vein can severely damage tissue.
Can it be given with ceftriaxone?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.