Acute amlodipine overdose treated by high dose intravenous calcium in a patient with severe renal insufficiency

Abstract

Calcium salts are frequently used in the treatment of calcium antagonist poisoning. Different dosing regimens have been employed. The major risk of high dose calcium therapy is iatrogenic hypercalcemia, especially in patients with diminished renal function. Repeated doses of calcium are therefore often avoided; however, inadequate use of intravenous calcium may cause treatment failure in severe calcium antagonist overdose. We report our experience of using high dose intravenous calcium chloride effectively and safely to treat severe amlodipine overdose in a patient with severe renal insufficiency.

Keywords :

• Amlodipine overdose
• Calcium antagonist
• High dose calcium therapy
• Renal insufficiency
• Poisoning