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Symptoms: Inadvertent systemic overloading with calcium ions can produce an acute hypercalcemic syndrome characterized by a markedly elevated plasma calcium level, weakness, lethargy, intractable nausea and vomiting, coma and sudden death.
Treatment: It may be life-saving to rapidly lower blood calcium to safe levels. It is now agreed the most effective therapy is IV sodium chloride infusion plus potent natriuretic agents, (e.g., furosemide). Sodium competes with calcium for reabsorption in the distal renal tubule and furosemide potentiates this effect. Together they markedly increase renal calcium clearance and reduce hypercalcemia.
