Calcium Gluconate

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride Injection is indicated for pediatric and adult patients for the treatment of acute symptomatic hypocalcemia. Limitations of Use The safety of Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride Injection for long term use has not been established. • Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride 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)

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Administer intravenously (bolus or continuous infusion) via a secure intravenous line (2.1) • See Full Prescribing Information (FPI) for administration rates, and appropriate monitoring (2.1) • Do not dilute Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride Injection prior to use. Any unused portion should be discarded (2.1) • Individualize the dose within the recommended range in adults and pediatric patients depending on the severity of symptoms of hypocalcemia, the serum calcium level, and the acuity of onset of hypocalcemia. See Table 1 in the FPI for dosing recommendations in mg of calcium gluconate for neonates, pediatric and adult patients. (2.2) • Measure serum calcium during intermittent infusions every 4 to 6 hours and during continuous infusion every 1 to 4 hours. (2.3) • Calcium Gluconate Injection is not physically compatible with fluids containing phosphate or bicarbonate. Precipitation may result if mixed. See FPI for all drug incompatibilities. (2.5) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions See Table 1 for amounts of elemental calcium in Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride Injection. Table 1. Amounts of Calcium Gluconate and Elemental Calcium Total Strength per Total Volume Strength per mL Elemental Calcium (mg) per mL Elemental Calcium (mEq) per mL Total Amount of Elemental Calcium (mg) per Total Volume Total Amount of Elemental Calcium (mEq) per Total Volume 1,000 mg per 50 mL 20 mg/mL 1.86 mg 0.093 mEq 93 mg per 50 mL 4.65 mEq per 50 mL 1,000 mg per 100 mL 10 mg/mL 0.93 mg 0.0465 mEq 93 mg per 100 mL 4.65 mEq per 100 mL 2,000 mg per 100 mL 20 mg/mL 1.86 mg 0.093 mEq 186 mg per 100 mL 9.3 mEq per 100 mL • Do not dilute Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride Injection prior to use. Any unused portion should be discarded. • Inspect Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride Injection visually prior to administration. The solution should appear clear and colorless. Do not administer if there is particulate matter or discoloration. • Administer Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride Injection intravenously via a secure intravenous line to avoid calcinosis cutis and tissue necrosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]. Administer Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride Injection by continuous infusion at the rate recommended in Table 1 [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)] and monitor patients, vitals, calcium and ECG during the infusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] . 2.2 Recommended Dosage Individualize the dose of Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride Injection within the recommended range depending on the severity of symptoms of hypocalcemia, the serum calcium level, and the acuity of onset of hypocalcemia. Table 2 provides dosing recommendations for Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride Injection in mg of calcium gluconate for neonates, pediatric and adult patients. Table 2. Dosing Recommendations in mg of Calcium Gluconate for Neonate, Pediatric, and Adult Patients PatientPopulation Initial Dose Subsequent Doses (if needed) Bolus Continuous Infusion Neonate (less than1 month to 1 month) 100 mg/kg to 200 mg/kg 100 mg/kg to 200 mg/kg every 6 hours Initiate at 17 mg/kg/hour to 33 mg/kg/hour Pediatric (greater than 1 month to less than 17 years) 29 mg/kg to 60 mg/kg 29 mg/kg to 60 mg/kg every 6 hours Initiate at 8 mg/kg/hour to 13 mg/kg/hour Adult (17 years and greater) 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg every 6 hours Initiate at 5.4 mg/kg/hour to 21.5 mg/kg/hour For bolus administration, DO NOT exceed an infusion rate of: •200 mg/minute in adult patients •100 mg/minute in pediatric patients For continuous infusions, adjust rate as needed based on serum calcium levels 2.3 Serum Calcium Monitoring Measure serum calcium every 4 to 6 hours during intermittent infusions with Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride Injection and measure serum calcium every 1 to 4 hours during continuous infusion. 2.4 Dosage in Renal Impairment For patients with renal impairment, initiate Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride Injection at the lowest dose of the recommended dose ranges for all age groups and monitor serum calcium levels every 4 hours. 2.5 Drug Incompatibilities • Do not mix Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride Injection with ceftriaxone. Concurrent use of intravenous ceftriaxone and Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride Injection can lead to the formation of ceftriaxone-calcium precipitates. Concomitant use of ceftriaxone and intravenous calcium-containing products is contraindicated in neonates (28 days of age or younger) [see Contraindications (4)] . In patients older than 28 days of age, ceftriaxone and calcium-containing products may be administered sequentially, provided the infusion lines are thoroughly flushed between infusions with a compatible fluid. Ceftriaxone must not be administered simultaneously with intravenous calcium-containing solutions via a Y-site in any age group [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Drug Interactions (7.3)]. • Do not mix Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride Injection with fluids containing bicarbonate or phosphate. Calcium Gluconate Injection is not physically compatible with fluids containing phosphate or bicarbonate. Precipitation may result if mixed. • Do not mix Calcium Gluconate in Sodium Chloride Injection with minocycline injection. Calcium complexes minocycline rendering it inactive.

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS 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 WG Critical Care, LLC at 1-866-562-4708 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics Absorption Calcium Gluconate Injection is 100% bioavailable following intravenous injection. Metabolism Calcium itself does not undergo direct metabolism. The release of ionized calcium from intravenous administration of calcium gluconate is direct and does not seem to be affected by the first pass through the liver. Distribution Calcium in the body is distributed mainly in skeleton (99%). Only 1% of the total body calcium is distributed within the extracellular fluids and soft tissues. About 50% of total serum calcium is in the ionized form and represents the biologically active part. 8% to 10% serum calcium is bound to organic and inorganic acid and approximately 40% is protein-bound (primarily to albumin). Elimination Studies have shown a relationship between urinary calcium excretion and the intravenous administration of calcium gluconate, with a significant increase in urinary calcium excretion observed after the intravenous administration of calcium gluconate.