Elemental Calcium Content in Calcium Chloride Ampule
A 10 mL ampule of 10% calcium chloride contains 270 mg of elemental calcium. 1
Calcium Chloride Composition
- According to the FDA drug label, 10% Calcium Chloride Injection consists of 1 gram of calcium chloride in a 10 mL syringe (100 mg/mL) 1
- This concentration represents 27 mg or 1.4 mEq of elemental calcium per mL 1
- Therefore, one 10 mL ampule provides 270 mg of elemental calcium 1
Clinical Context and Comparison with Other Calcium Preparations
- Calcium chloride contains significantly more elemental calcium than calcium gluconate, which contains only 90 mg of elemental calcium per 10 mL ampule 2, 3
- The higher elemental calcium content makes calcium chloride particularly valuable in emergency situations such as hypocalcemia, hyperkalemia, or cardiac arrest 4, 5
- In emergency protocols, calcium chloride is often preferred over calcium gluconate because it provides three times more elemental calcium 5, 6
Administration Considerations
- Calcium chloride should be administered only by slow intravenous injection (not to exceed 1 mL/min), preferably in a central or deep vein 1
- Administration through a central line is recommended, especially in children, due to its high osmolarity and vesicant properties 4, 7
- When calculating doses, it's important to distinguish between the amount of calcium chloride salt and the amount of elemental calcium 1, 8
Important Precautions
- The injection should be halted if the patient complains of any discomfort; it may be resumed when symptoms disappear 1
- Monitoring ionized calcium concentrations is recommended to assist in dosage adjustment 1
- Don't exceed serum ionized calcium concentration 1.5–2 times the upper limits of normal 4
Understanding the elemental calcium content is crucial for accurate dosing in clinical scenarios ranging from routine electrolyte replacement to emergency resuscitation situations.