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Sodium chloride 0.9% isotonic solution
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025

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Sodium chloride 0.9% solution is a substance with detoxifying and rehydrating properties.
Indications Sodium chloride 0.9% isotonic solution
This drug is used when a person loses a large volume of extracellular fluid. The drug is used in conditions that limit its flow:
- dyspepsia developing during intoxication;
- diarrhea and vomiting;
- cholera;
- burns covering a large area of the body;
- hypochloremia or -natremia, the background condition during which is dehydration.
In addition, sodium chloride can be used externally - it is used to wash the nose and eyes or various wounds. It can be used to moisten dressings, treat the face and do inhalations.
NaCl solution is used for forced diuresis sessions during intoxication, constipation or internal bleeding (in the intestines, lungs or stomach).
The drug can also be prescribed as a substance for dissolving components used parenterally.
Release form
The drug is released as a solution in ampoules with a capacity of 5, 10 or 20 ml. These ampoules are used to dilute the drugs needed for injections.
The drug is also available in bottles of 0.1, 0.2, and also 0.4 or 1 liter. Such medicinal liquids are prescribed for external treatment, intravenous drips and enemas.
Pharmacodynamics
The medicine can replenish the deficiency of the Na component in the body in cases of various diseases. At the same time, sodium chloride increases the volume of fluid circulating in the intravascular space.
This effect of the drug is due to the presence of sodium ions and chloride ions in its composition. These components are able to pass through cell walls using a variety of pathways (the Na-K pump is included in this list). The Na component plays an important role in the movement of neuronal impulses, and at the same time participates in renal metabolic and electrophysiological cardiac processes.
The Pharmacopoeia shows that sodium chloride maintains a stable level of plasma and extracellular fluid pressure. A healthy person can get the required amount of this compound with food. But in the case of any violation (for example, with diarrhea with vomiting or severe burns), increased excretion of these components develops. As a result, there is a deficiency of chloride and sodium ions, due to which the blood density increases, smooth muscle spasms and cramps appear, and in addition, the work of the blood flow and the nervous system is disrupted.
With timely addition of saline to the blood, it is possible to quickly restore the water-electrolyte balance. However, due to the fact that the π indicator of the drug is similar to the level of plasma pressure, the substance does not remain inside the vascular bed for long, quickly being excreted from the body. As a result, after 60 minutes, only half of the dose of the administered medicinal liquid is retained in the intravascular space. Because of this, sodium chloride is not very effective in case of blood loss.
The medication is capable of exerting a detoxifying and plasma-substituting effect.
After performing an intravenous injection of the drug, diuresis is potentiated, and in addition, the deficiency of sodium and chlorine in the body is replenished.
Pharmacokinetics
Excretion of the substance occurs largely with the participation of the kidneys. A small portion of sodium is excreted with feces and sweat.
Dosing and administration
Injections of saline solution are performed subcutaneously or intravenously.
Often the administration is performed intravenously, through a drip, which must first be warmed up to a temperature of 36-38 o C. The volume of drugs administered to the patient is determined by the person's condition and the amount of fluid lost by the body. In addition, the weight and age of the patient must be taken into account.
On average, 0.5 liters of the medication is used per day. The substance is administered at a rate of 540 ml/hour (on average). In case of severe poisoning, the maximum permissible daily dose of 3 liters can be administered. If necessary, a dosage of 0.5 liters can be administered at a rate of 70 drops/minute.
For children, the daily doses are within 20-100 ml/kg. The dose is determined based on the child's age and weight. It should be remembered that with prolonged use of the drug, it is necessary to monitor plasma electrolyte values and their level in excreted urine.
To dissolve substances used through a dropper, 50-250 ml of sodium chloride is used per 1 dose of the substance. The parameters of administration are determined by the main medication.
The hypertonic solution is administered intravenously by jet injection.
When prescribing drugs for rapid restoration of the balance of chloride and sodium ions, 0.1 liters of the drug should be administered (through a dropper).
To perform a rectal enema, which induces the act of defecation, 0.1 liters of a 5% solution is required. The introduction of 3 liters of saline solution per day is also allowed.
A hypertonic enema should be administered slowly in cases of edema affecting the heart or kidneys, hypertension and increased intracranial pressure (in a dosage of 10-30 ml). It is prohibited to administer such enemas in the presence of erosion in the colon, as well as in cases of inflammation.
Wound lesions with pus are treated with a solution according to the scheme determined by the attending physician. Compresses with a medicinal product are applied to the wound itself or other lesion in the epidermis area. Such compresses help the pus to drain and provoke the rapid death of pathogenic bacteria.
The nasal spray should be applied to the cleaned nasal cavity. For adults, the required dosage is 2 drops inside each nostril, and for children - 1 drop. The medication is prescribed for therapy or prevention. The drug should be instilled over a period of approximately 20 days.
Inhalation sodium chloride is used to treat colds. The medicine is mixed with bronchodilator medications. Inhalations should be done three times a day for 10 minutes.
In case of extreme necessity, such a saline solution can be prepared independently at home. In this case, it is necessary to mix table salt (1 teaspoon) in boiled water (1 l). If it is necessary to prepare a certain dose of the solution, for example, with salt weighing 50 g, it is necessary to perform the necessary measurements. Such a substance can be used locally, for inhalation procedures, enemas, and also rinses. But it is strictly forbidden to administer it intravenously or use it for washing eyes or open wounds.
Use Sodium chloride 0.9% isotonic solution during pregnancy
Pregnant women are allowed to be prescribed a sodium chloride drip only in pathological conditions, such as moderate or severe toxicosis, and in addition, gestosis. In a normal state, pregnant women receive this element with food. It should be taken into account that due to an excess of the element, a woman may experience swelling.
Contraindications
Among the contraindications:
- hyperchloremia, and in addition hypokalemia or hypernatremia;
- hyperhydria of an extracellular nature, as well as acidosis;
- swelling that appears in the area of the brain or lungs;
- acute left ventricular failure;
- the appearance of circulatory lesions, the background of which is the threat of developing pulmonary and cerebral edema;
- use of GCS in very large doses.
The drug should be used with caution in people with elevated blood pressure, peripheral edema, decompensated CHF, and also chronic renal failure and preeclampsia. Caution is also needed in people with other diagnosed conditions accompanied by retention of the Na component in the body.
When prescribing sodium chloride to dissolve other medications, one must also remember the above contraindications.
Side effects Sodium chloride 0.9% isotonic solution
The use of the medication may lead to the following side effects:
- hypokalemia;
- hyperhydria;
- acidosis.
When using the drug in accordance with the instructions, the likelihood of negative reactions is extremely low.
When using a drug in the form of a base solvent, side effects must be determined depending on the properties of the medications diluted with the solution.
If any adverse reactions occur, consult your doctor immediately.
Overdose
As a result of poisoning, the patient may feel nausea, abdominal pain and increased heart rate, and in addition, he may develop a fever, diarrhea and vomiting. In addition, intoxication may increase blood pressure, develop edema located in the lungs or having a peripheral nature, kidney failure, dizziness and a feeling of weakness. In addition, generalized or muscle cramps and a comatose state occur. Due to the large amount of the drug administered, hypernatremia may occur.
Overdose may cause hyperchloremic acidosis.
When a therapeutic drug is used to dilute other drugs, intoxication is usually related to the characteristics of the drugs being diluted using sodium chloride.
If a patient has accidentally been given too much NaCl, the administration procedure should be stopped immediately and it should be determined whether the patient has developed any negative symptoms. Then, if necessary, symptomatic measures should be taken.
Interactions with other drugs
Sodium chloride has pharmacological compatibility with a large number of medicinal preparations. It is due to this property that it is often prescribed for dissolving or diluting many drugs.
During the dissolution procedures, mandatory visual control of the compatibility of substances is required in order to identify the possible presence of sediment, changes in the color of the liquid, etc. during the dilution process.
The therapeutic agent has poor compatibility with norepinephrine.
When used in combination with corticosteroids, it is necessary to constantly monitor the level of electrolytes in the blood.
Concomitant use with spirapril and enalapril leads to a weakening of their antihypertensive properties.
The drug is incompatible with filgrastim (a stimulator of the leukopoiesis process), and also polymyxin B (a polypeptide antibiotic).
There is evidence that saline solution has the ability to increase the bioavailability of medications.
Powdered antibiotics diluted with sodium chloride are completely absorbed by the body.
Storage conditions
Sodium chloride should be kept in a place protected from moisture and children, in a tightly sealed container. Temperature indicators should not exceed 25°C. Hermetically sealed packaging even allows freezing the medicine.
Shelf life
Sodium chloride 0.9% solution, packaged in ampoules, can be used for a period of 5 years from the date of manufacture of the medicinal product; 0.9% preparation, packaged in vials - for a period of 12 months, and 10% substance in vials has a shelf life of 2 years.
Application for children
Sodium Chloride can be prescribed to children only in compliance with the instructions and under the careful supervision of specialists. Due to the fact that the renal function in children is still immature, they can be given a repeat procedure only after the sodium level in the plasma has been accurately determined.
Analogues
Various manufacturers of medicinal preparations produce this solution under other names - these are the following substances Rizosin, NaCl Brown, NaCl Sinko, as well as NaCl Bufus, Saline and others.
In addition, substances containing sodium chloride are produced – complex solutions of the salt type, CH3COONa+NaCl, etc.
Reviews
Sodium chloride 0.9% solution receives a lot of positive reviews. This medicine is considered extremely useful. In particular, it is often noted as a nasal spray that allows you to treat rhinitis or act as a preventive measure against a runny nose. Thanks to the effective moisturizing of the nasal mucosa, recovery occurs faster.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Sodium chloride 0.9% isotonic solution" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.