What is in this leaflet?
You may have been given this product in an emergency situation by a non-medical health professional.
This leaflet contains information about Calcium Chloride Injection MIN-I-JET. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference. The information in this leaflet is only a summary and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor.
Please consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any comments or questions.
What is Calcium Chloride?
Calcium chloride is a simple calcium salt which can be given by injection into a vein to top up supplies of calcium if they are running low. Our bodies contain a large amount of calcium. Our bones are mainly calcium salts and we need calcium to make our heart and other muscles contract. There should always be set amount of calcium in the blood. If the level becomes too high or too low we can become very ill.
When is Calcium Chloride used?
There are certain emergency conditions when the concentration of calcium in the blood becomes too low. This can cause the heart to stop beating. Calcium chloride injections are an effective way of increasing the amount of calcium in the blood.
Calcium chloride is also used in the emergency treatment of high potassium and magnesium levels in the blood.
As calcium chloride is only used in medical emergencies, the injection may be given by paramedical personnel such as ambulance or nursing staff.
Who should not have Calcium Chloride injections?
Calcium chloride injections can be very dangerous if given to people who already have high levels of calcium in their blood. It can also be dangerous in some emergency heart conditions. The substance should never be given to small children by mouth as it can cause severe irritation of the bowel.
Before you have a Calcium Chloride injection
If possible, you should tell your doctor if you:
- have any breathing problems
- have any heart disease
- have any kidney problems
- have high blood pressure
- have ever had an allergic reaction to calcium chloride
- are taking any medicines and what they are (eg. digoxin, verapamil)
- are pregnant
- are breast feeding
Side Effects of Calcium Chloride
As with any other medicine, some side effects may occur.
Common side effects include inflammation of the site of the injection, a tingling feeling in the skin, a chalky taste, a feeling of heaviness and hot flushes. Calcium injections can also cause a general feeling of weakness.
More severe side effects can occur occasionally; these include upsets of the heart rate and rhythm.
Always tell your doctor if you have any unpleasant effects after receiving Calcium Chloride Injection MIN-I-JET.
The dose of Calcium Chloride
The dose in adults is 500 mg to 1 g (5-10 mL) injected into a vein. It is repeated only if there is still not enough calcium in the blood after 1 to 3 days.
The dose for children is 0.2 mL per kg of bodyweight with a maximum dose of between 1 and 10 mL per day.
The dose for elderly people is the same as the adult dose.
Overdose
Overdosage of calcium causes loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, pain, muscle weakness, mental disturbances, thirst, passing extra urine, stones in the kidney and, in severe cases, unconsciousness, heart abnormalities and death.
Patients with a mild overdose usually recover without any treatment, provided no more calcium is given and their kidneys are working normally. When severe overdosage is present it is often necessary to give injections of other medications to counteract the effect.
What does Calcium Chloride Injection MIN-I-JET CONTAIN?
Calcium Chloride Injection MIN-I-JET contains calcium chloride at a concentration of 1 g in each 10 mL of solution (100 mg per mL).
Each Calcium Chloride Injection MIN-I-JET also contains calcium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid and water.
How to store Calcium Chloride Injection MIN-I-JET
Calcium Chloride Injection MIN-I-JET should be stored below 25° (room temperature). It should not be used after the expiry date on the package.
Where can I get more information?
You can get more information from your doctor or pharmacist.
Calcium Chloride Injection MIN-I-JET is manufactured by:
Celltech Manufacturing Services Limited
Vale of Bardsley, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancs., OL7 9RR, UK
And distributed by:
CSL Limited,
ABN 99 051 588 348
45 Poplar Road, Parkville 3052, Victoria Australia
Australian Registration Number is AUST R 28987
Date of Information: April 1996
Date of Amendment: March 2001
Published by MIMS November 2002