IV calcium salt (high elemental calcium)

Calcium chloride

Brand names: Minijet

Adult dose

Dose: 10mL of 10% calcium chloride IV (= 6.8 mmol) for hyperkalaemia/hypocalcaemic tetany; cardiac arrest 10mL slow IV

Route: IV (central preferred)

Frequency: PRN

Clinical pearls

Resus Council UK ALS: calcium chloride preferred over gluconate in cardiac arrest (3× more elemental calcium per mL)
Hyperkalaemia protocol: stabilises myocardium (10mL 10% over 5–10 min)
UK Renal Association hyperkalaemia guideline
Avoid peripheral line where possible — phlebitis / extravasation risk

Contraindications

Hypercalcaemia
Digitalis toxicity (relative)
Concurrent ceftriaxone (precipitate)

Side effects

Tissue necrosis on extravasation (more vesicant than gluconate)
Hypotension (rapid bolus)
Bradycardia
Arrhythmias
Sensation of warmth

Interactions

Digoxin
Ceftriaxone (precipitation)
Thiazides

Monitoring

ECG
Calcium
BP
IV site

Reference: BNF; Resus Council UK ALS; UK Renal Association hyperkalaemia; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/calcium-chloride/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways