Calcium Gluconate

Calcium Gluconate Injection is indicated for pediatric and adult patients for the treatment of acute symptomatic hypocalcemia. Calcium Gluconate Injection is a form of calcium indicated for pediatric and adult patients for the treatment of acute symptomatic hypocalcemia. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use: The safety of Calcium Gluconate Injection for long term use has not been established. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use The safety of Calcium Gluconate Injection for long term use has not been established.

Calcium Gluconate Injection, USP is a clear, colorless to slightly yellow, solution available in the following: Single dose vial: 1,000 mg per 10 mL (100 mg per mL) Single dose vial: 5,000 mg per 50 mL (100 mg per mL) Pharmacy bulk package: 10,000 mg per 100 mL (100 mg per mL) Each mL of Calcium Gluconate Injection, USP contains 9.3 mg (0.465 mEq) of elemental calcium. Calcium Gluconate Injection, USP: ( 3 ) Single-dose vial: 1,000 mg per 10 mL (100 mg per mL) Single-dose vial: 5,000 mg per 50 mL (100 mg per mL) Pharmacy bulk package: 10,000 mg per 100 mL (100 mg per mL)

Calcium Gluconate Injection is contraindicated in: Hypercalcemia Neonates (28 days of age or younger) receiving ceftriaxone [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Hypercalcemia ( 4 ) Neonates (28 days of age or younger) receiving ceftriaxone ( 4 )

Arrhythmias with Concomitant Cardiac Glycoside Use: If concomitant therapy is necessary, Calcium Gluconate Injection should be given slowly in small amounts and close ECG monitoring is recommended ( 5.1 ) End-Organ Damage due to Intravascular Ceftriaxone-Calcium Precipitates: Concurrent use of intravenous ceftriaxone may cause life-threatening precipitates. Cases of fatal outcomes in neonates have occurred. ( 4 , 5.2 ) Tissue Necrosis and Calcinosis: Calcinosis cutis can occur with or without extravasation of Calcium Gluconate Injection. Tissue necrosis, ulceration, and secondary infection are the most serious complications. If extravasation occurs or clinical manifestations of calcinosis cutis are noted, immediately discontinue intravenous administration at that site and treat as needed. ( 5.3 ) Hypotension, Bradycardia, and Cardiac Arrhythmias with Rapid Administration: To avoid adverse reactions that may follow rapid intravenous administration, Calcium Gluconate Injection should be diluted with 5% dextrose or normal saline and infused slowly, with careful ECG monitoring for cardiac arrhythmias. ( 5.4 ) Aluminum Toxicity: This product contains aluminum, up to 512 mcg per liter, that may be toxic. ( 5.5 )

5.1 Arrhythmias with Concomitant Cardiac Glycoside Use Cardiac arrhythmias may occur if calcium and cardiac glycosides are administered together. Hypercalcemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Administration of Calcium Gluconate Injection should be avoided in patients receiving cardiac glycosides. If concomitant therapy is necessary, Calcium Gluconate Injection should be given slowly in small amounts and with close ECG monitoring [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )] .

5.2 End-Organ Damage due to Intravascular Ceftriaxone-Calcium Precipitates Concomitant use of ceftriaxone and Calcium Gluconate Injection is contraindicated in neonates (28 days of age or younger) due to cases of fatal outcomes in neonates in which a crystalline material was observed in the lungs and kidneys at autopsy after ceftriaxone and calcium were administrated simultaneously through the same intravenous line. Concomitant administration can lead to the formation of ceftriaxone-calcium precipitates that may act as emboli, resulting in vascular spasm or infarction [see Contraindications ( 4 )]. In patients older than 28 days of age, ceftriaxone and Calcium Gluconate Injection may be administered sequentially, provided the infusion lines are thoroughly flushed between infusions with a compatible fluid. Do not administer Ceftriaxone simultaneously with Calcium Gluconate Injection via a Y-site in any age group.

5.3 Tissue Necrosis and Calcinosis Intravenous administration of Calcium Gluconate Injection and local trauma may result in calcinosis cutis due to transient increase in local calcium concentration. Calcinosis cutis can occur with or without extravasation of Calcium Gluconate Injection, is characterized by abnormal dermal deposits of calcium salts, and clinically manifests as papules, plaques, or nodules that may be associated with erythema, swelling, or induration. Tissue necrosis, ulceration, and secondary infection are the most serious complications. If extravasation occurs or clinical manifestations of calcinosis cutis are noted, immediately discontinue intravenous administration at that site and treat as needed.

5.4 Hypotension, Bradycardia, and Cardiac Arrhythmias with Rapid Administration Rapid injection of Calcium Gluconate Injection may cause vasodilation, decreased blood pressure, bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, syncope and cardiac arrest. To avoid adverse reactions that may follow rapid intravenous administration, Calcium Gluconate Injection should be diluted with 5% dextrose or normal saline and infused slowly. If rapid intravenous bolus of Calcium Gluconate Injection is required, the rate of intravenous administration should not exceed 200 mg/minute in adults and 100 mg/minute in pediatric patients and ECG monitoring during administration is recommended [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )] .

5.5 Aluminum Toxicity Calcium Gluconate Injection contains aluminum, up to 512 mcg per liter, that may be toxic. Aluminum may reach toxic levels with prolonged parenteral administration if kidney function is impaired. Premature neonates are particularly at risk because their kidneys are immature, and they require large amounts of calcium and phosphate solutions, which contain aluminum. Research indicates that patients with impaired kidney function, including premature neonates, who receive parenteral levels of aluminum at greater than 4 mcg/kg/day to 5 mcg/kg/day accumulate aluminum levels associated with central nervous system and bone toxicity. Tissue loading may occur at even lower rates of administration.

The following serious adverse reactions are also described elsewhere in the labeling: Arrhythmias with Concomitant Cardiac Glycoside Use [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] End-Organ Damage due to Intravascular Ceftriaxone-Calcium Precipitates [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Tissue Necrosis and Calcinosis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Hypotension, Bradycardia, and Cardiac Arrhythmias [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Aluminum toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] The following adverse reactions associated with the use of calcium gluconate were identified in the literature. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency reliably or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Cardiovascular : Vasodilation, decreased blood pressure, bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmia, syncope, cardiac arrest Administration site reactions : Local soft tissue inflammation, local necrosis, calcinosis cutis and calcification due to extravasation The most common adverse events with Calcium Gluconate Injection are local soft tissue inflammation and necrosis, calcinosis cutis and calcification that are related to extravasation. Other adverse events include vasodilation, decreased blood pressure, bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmia, syncope, and cardiac arrest. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC at 1-800-551-7176 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Cardiac Glycoside : Synergistic arrhythmias may occur if calcium and cardiac glycosides are administered together. ( 7.1 ) Calcium Channel Blockers : Administration of calcium may reduce the response. ( 7.2 ) Drugs that may cause hypercalcemia: Vitamin D, vitamin A, thiazide diuretics, estrogen, calcipotriene and teriparatide administration may cause hypercalcemia. Monitor plasma calcium concentrations in patients taking these drugs concurrently. ( 7.3 )

7.1 Cardiac Glycosides Hypercalcemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity, while digoxin may be therapeutically ineffective in the presence of hypocalcemia. Synergistic arrhythmias may occur if calcium and cardiac glycosides are administered together. Avoid administration of Calcium Gluconate Injection in patients receiving cardiac glycosides; if considered necessary, administer Calcium Gluconate Injection slowly in small amounts and monitor ECG closely during administration.

7.2 Calcium Channel Blockers Administration of calcium may reduce the response to calcium channel blockers.

7.3 Drugs that may cause Hypercalcemia Vitamin D, vitamin A, thiazide diuretics, estrogen, calcipotriene and teriparatide administration may cause hypercalcemia. Monitor plasma calcium concentrations in patients taking these drugs concurrently.

Geriatric use : Dosing in elderly patients should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosage range. ( 8.5 ) Renal impairment: Initiate with the lower limit of the dosage range and monitor serum calcium levels every 4 hours. ( 8.6 , 2.4 )

8.1 Pregnancy Risk summary Limited available data with Calcium Gluconate Injection use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes. There are risks to the mother and the fetus associated with hypocalcemia in pregnancy [see Clinical Considerations ] . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal risk Maternal hypocalcemia can result in an increased rate of spontaneous abortion, premature and dysfunctional labor, and possibly preeclampsia. Fetal/Neonatal adverse reactions Infants born to mothers with hypocalcemia can have associated fetal and neonatal hyperparathyroidism, which in turn can cause fetal and neonatal skeletal demineralization, subperiosteal bone resorption, osteitis fibrosa cystica and neonatal seizures. Infants born to mothers with hypocalcemia should be carefully monitored for signs of hypocalcemia or hypercalcemia, including neuromuscular irritability, apnea, cyanosis and cardiac rhythm disorders.

8.2 Lactation Risk summary Calcium is present in human milk as a natural component of human milk. It is not known whether intravenous administration of Calcium Gluconate Injection can alter calcium concentration in human milk. There are no data on the effects of Calcium Gluconate Injection on the breastfed infant, or on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for Calcium Gluconate Injection and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Calcium Gluconate Injection or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of Calcium Gluconate Injection have been established in pediatric patients for the treatment of acute, symptomatic hypocalcemia. Pediatric approval for Calcium Gluconate Injection, including doses, is not based on adequate and well-controlled clinical studies. Safety and dosing recommendations in pediatric patients are based on published literature and clinical experience [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 )] . Concomitant use of ceftriaxone and Calcium Gluconate Injection is contraindicated in neonates (28 days of age or younger) due to reports of fatal outcomes associated with the presence of lung and kidney ceftriaxone-calcium precipitates. In patients older than 28 days of age, ceftriaxone and Calcium Gluconate Injection may be administered sequentially, provided the infusion lines are thoroughly flushed between infusions with a compatible fluid [ see Contraindications ( 4 ) and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . This product contains up to 512 mcg/L aluminum which may be toxic, particularly for premature neonates due to immature renal function. Parenteral administration of aluminum greater than 4 to 5 mcg/kg/day is associated with central nervous system and bone toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] .

8.5 Geriatric Use In general dose selection for an elderly patient should start at the lowest dose of the recommended dose range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

8.6 Renal Impairment For patients with renal impairment, initiate Calcium Gluconate Injection at the lowest dose of the recommended dose ranges across all age groups. Monitor serum calcium levels every 4 hours [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 )].

8.7 Hepatic Impairment Hepatic function does not impact the availability of ionized calcium after calcium gluconate intravenous administration. Dose adjustment in hepatically impaired patients may not be necessary.

Intravenous administration of calcium gluconate increases serum ionized calcium level. Calcium gluconate dissociates into ionized calcium in plasma. Ionized calcium and gluconate are normal constituents of body fluids.