SODIUM CHLORIDE

Intravenous replacement fluid for replacing loss of blood, plasma, and other extracellular fluids. Also used for preparation of parenteral medicines

Dosage Forms

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Solution for infusion

Sodium chloride 0.9%

Also known as normal saline

Uses

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  • Correcting severe dehydration
  • Correcting water, electrolyte, and acid-base disturbances
  • Shock and hypovolemia
  • Dilution of medicines for injectable use

Dose and Duration

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Severe dehydration

Adult: 0.5–1 L by infusion in the 1ˢᵗ hour and not more than 2–3 L in 4 hours.

Child >1 year: 30 ml/kg over the first 30 minutes, then 70 ml/kg over the next 2½ hours.

Child <1 year: 30 ml/kg over 1 hour, then 70 ml/kg over the next 5 hours.

Reassess rehydration status and continue treatment Plan A, B, or C as necessary (see under ORS).

Shock

Give 20 ml/kg by fast IV infusion (over 60 minutes).

Blood loss

Always give 3 times the estimated fluid loss.
Only use if fluid loss does not exceed 1500 ml and there is no cardiac or renal impairment.

Fluid and electrolyte imbalance (alternating with 5% glucose)

Infusion given over 1–2 hours.

Adult: 1 L/day.

Child: 50 ml/day.

Duration is according to patient's condition.

Contra-indications

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  • High blood pressure
  • Heart failure
  • Ascites
  • Severe kidney disease
  • Oedema
  • Other conditions associated with sodium retention

Pregnancy

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  • Can be used

Breast-feeding

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  • Can be used

⚠️ Caution

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  • Always examine each bottle against light for clearness. Discard any bottle with particles or cloudiness
  • Risk of pulmonary oedema and sodium retention if infusion is given too rapidly or when excessive amounts are given
  • For fluid replacement in severe dehydration, preferably use Ringer's Lactate as sodium chloride 0.9% does not contain potassium and lactate