0.9% SODIUM CHLORIDE

Sodium Chloride Injection, USP solutions are sterile and nonpyrogenic. They are parenteral solutions containing various concentrations of sodium chloride in water for injection intended for intravenous administration. For 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, each 100 mL contains 450 mg sodium chloride in water for injection. Electrolytes per 1000 mL: sodium 77 mEq; chloride 77 mEq. The osmolarity is 154 mOsmol/L (calc.). For 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, each 100 mL contains 900 mg sodium chloride in water for injection. Electrolytes per 1000 mL: sodium 154 mEq; chloride 154 mEq. The osmolarity is 308 mOsmol/L (calc.). The pH for both concentrations in the 100 mL and smaller containers is 6.0; for the 250 mL and larger containers, the pH is 5.6. The pH range is 4.5 to 7.0 for all containers. The solutions contain no bacteriostat, antimicrobial agent or added buffer and each is intended only as a single-dose injection. When smaller doses are required the unused portion should be discarded. The solutions are parenteral fluid and electrolyte replenishers. Sodium Chloride, USP is chemically designated NaCl, a white crystalline powder freely soluble in water. Water for Injection, USP is chemically designated H2O. The flexible plastic container is fabricated from a specially formulated polyvinylchloride. Water can permeate from inside the container into the overwrap but not in amounts sufficient to affect the solution significantly. Solutions in contact with the plastic container may leach out certain chemical components from the plastic in very small amounts; however, biological testing was supportive of the safety of the plastic container materials. Exposure to temperatures above 25°C (77°F) during transport and storage will lead to minor losses in moisture content. Higher temperatures lead to greater losses. It is unlikely that these minor losses will lead to clinically significant changes within the expiration period.

Intravenous solutions containing sodium chloride are indicated for parenteral replenishment of fluid and sodium chloride as required by the clinical condition of the patient.

The dose is dependent upon the age, weight and clinical condition of the patient. Additives may be incompatible. Consult with pharmacist, if available. When introducing additives, use aseptic technique, mix thoroughly and do not store. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. (See PRECAUTIONS .)

None known.

Reactions which may occur because of the solution or the technique of administration include febrile response, infection at the site of injection, venous thrombosis or phlebitis extending from the site of injection, extravasation and hypervolemia. If an adverse reaction does occur, discontinue the infusion, evaluate the patient, institute appropriate therapeutic countermeasures and save the remainder of the fluid for examination if deemed necessary. In addition to the above listed adverse reactions hyponatremia has been reported for 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP (see PEDIATRIC USE section).

Caution must be exercised in the administration of Sodium Chloride Injection, USP to patients receiving corticosteroids or corticotropin. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Studies have not been performed with Sodium Chloride Injection, USP to evaluate the potential for carcinogenesis, mutagenesis or impairment of fertility. Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category C Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. It is also not known whether Sodium Chloride Injection, USP can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Sodium Chloride Injection, USP should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. Labor and Delivery Studies have not been conducted to evaluate the effects of Sodium Chloride Injection, USP on labor and delivery. Caution should be exercised when administering this drug during labor and delivery. Nursing Mothers It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Sodium Chloride Injection, USP is administered to a nursing mother. Pediatric Use The use of Sodium Chloride Injection, USP in pediatric patients is based on clinical practice. Plasma electrolyte concentrations should be closely monitored in the pediatric population as this population may have impaired ability to regulate fluids and electrolytes. The infusion of hypotonic fluids (0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP) together with the non-osmotic secretion of ADH may result in hyponatremia in patients with acute volume depletion. Hyponatremia can lead to headache, nausea, seizures, lethargy, coma, cerebral edema and death, therefore acute symptomatic hyponatremic encephalopathy is considered a medical emergency. Geriatric Use Clinical studies of Sodium Chloride Injection, USP did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or drug therapy. This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function. Do not administer unless solution is clear and container is undamaged. Discard unused portion.