What is the treatment for symptomatic hypocalcemia?

The treatment for symptomatic hypocalcemia is intravenous (IV) calcium. This approach is chosen because symptomatic hypocalcemia often presents with acute symptoms such as muscle cramps, seizures, tetany, or cardiac arrhythmias, which require rapid correction of calcium levels to prevent serious complications.

When a patient exhibits these symptoms, administering calcium intravenously allows for immediate elevation of serum calcium concentrations. IV calcium can be given in the form of calcium gluconate or calcium chloride, with calcium gluconate being preferred due to its lower risk of irritation to blood vessels.

In contrast, oral calcium supplements are typically used for patients with asymptomatic hypocalcemia or for chronic treatment, but they are not suitable for acute management where rapid correction is necessary. IV isotonic saline does not specifically address calcium deficiency and would not be effective in treating hypocalcemia. Desmopressin acetate is unrelated to calcium metabolism and is used primarily for diabetes insipidus or certain bleeding disorders, making it inappropriate for this scenario. Thus, IV calcium is the standard and effective treatment for managing symptomatic hypocalcemia.