CaCl
Medical abbreviation · Drug
| Stands for | Calcium chloride |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
CaCl stands for Calcium chloride, a drug abbreviation.
IV calcium salt used in emergencies such as cardiac arrest with high potassium, calcium channel blocker overdose and severe low calcium. A 10 percent, 1 g syringe contains about three times as much elemental calcium as the same amount of calcium gluconate.
Example: K 7.8 with peaked T waves: CaCl 1 g IV via central line over 5 minutes.
Usage notes
Calcium chloride is highly irritating and can cause severe tissue injury if it leaks, so a central or large, secure IV is preferred; calcium gluconate is safer peripherally. Confusing the two salts is a known dosing error because equal grams deliver different calcium amounts. Calcium stabilizes the heart membrane but does not lower potassium.
Related abbreviations
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- BSS – Balanced salt solution
- CAB – Cabotegravir
- CaCO3 – Calcium carbonate
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- CBZ – Carbamazepine
- CHG – Chlorhexidine gluconate
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.