sodium chloride at a glance
Medicine class
Electrolyte and fluid replacement agent
Main roles
Treating sodium chloride deficiency, replacing fluid and electrolytes, diluting compatible injections, and irrigation
Available forms
Prolonged-release tablets, oral solution, injections, intravenous infusions and single-use eye drops
Key precaution
Extra sodium may worsen fluid retention, high blood pressure, or some heart and kidney conditions
What is sodium chloride used for?
Licensed uses vary by formulation.
Oral tablets and oral solution: treatment of sodium chloride deficiency; prolonged-release tablets are also licensed for prevention.
Intravenous infusion: replacement of fluid, sodium or chloride in appropriate depletion, dehydration and electrolyte-imbalance states.
Injection or infusion solutions: vehicle or diluent for compatible medicines.
Injection solution: saline irrigation, haemodialysis priming, and starting or ending blood transfusions.
Single-use eye drops: washing or irrigating the eye.
How does sodium chloride work?
Sodium and chloride are major electrolytes outside cells. They help regulate water distribution, osmotic pressure and acid-base balance. Sodium also supports nerve signalling and muscle and cardiac electrical activity. Replacement products supply these ions, while isotonic saline can provide extracellular fluid or act as a compatible carrier and irrigant.
sodium chloride preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 0.45%, 0.9%, 0.9% w/v, 30% w/v
Eye drops
Route: Ophthalmic
Strengths: 0.9% w/v
How to take sodium chloride
Follow the instructions for the particular formulation; products are not interchangeable.
Swallow prolonged-release tablets whole with water; do not chew them.
Measure oral solution with the supplied oral syringe or pipette. It may be diluted in water or a baby's bottle and mixed thoroughly immediately before administration.
The oral solution may be taken with or without food. Never use sodium chloride solution to induce vomiting.
Injection and infusion products are given by healthcare professionals. Additives must be confirmed as compatible.
For single-use eye drops, wash your hands, avoid touching the eye with the nozzle, use immediately after opening, and discard the unit and any remainder.
sodium chloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- No common adverse effects are established for the selected prolonged-release tablets or single-use eye-irrigation drops when used as directed.
Get urgent medical advice
- Fluid or sodium overload: worsening swelling, severe breathlessness, rapid heartbeat or markedly raised blood pressure.
- Major sodium disturbance: severe thirst, confusion, unusual drowsiness, muscle twitching, seizures or loss of consciousness.
- Infusion reaction: rash, hives, itching, chills, fever, low blood pressure or breathing difficulty.
- Infusion-site complications: increasing pain, redness, swelling, vein inflammation or fluid leaking into surrounding tissue.
sodium chloride in pregnancy
Sodium chloride is not expected to harm pregnancy when appropriately used, but the formulation, fluid and sodium load, and any added medicine must be considered. Prescriber-led assessment is particularly important with pre-eclampsia, heart or kidney impairment, or intravenous use during labour with oxytocin. The selected eye-irrigation drops may be used during pregnancy.
sodium chloride interactions
Interactions mainly reflect changes in sodium and water balance, or compatibility with injected medicines.
Lithium
Changes in sodium intake or renal sodium handling can alter lithium clearance and blood concentrations, so additional monitoring may be required.
Corticosteroids and corticotrophin
These can promote sodium and water retention, increasing the risk of oedema and hypertension.
Common questions about sodium chloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is sodium chloride used for?
Depending on the formulation, it replaces sodium, chloride or fluid; carries compatible injected medicines; irrigates tissues; or washes the eye.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.