Here is the full clinical profile for:
💉 Sodium Chloride Injection 3% (Hypertonic Saline)
✅ DESCRIPTION
Sodium Chloride Injection 3% is a hypertonic, sterile, non-pyrogenic solution of sodium chloride in water for injection. It contains 3 g of sodium chloride per 100 mL of solution and is primarily used for treating hyponatremia or increased intracranial pressure (ICP).
⚖️ COMPOSITION
- Sodium Chloride (NaCl): 3% w/v
→ i.e., 3000 mg per 100 mL - Each liter provides:
- Sodium: 513 mEq/L
- Chloride: 513 mEq/L
🌿 NATURE
- Hypertonic to plasma
- pH: ~4.5 to 7.0
- For slow intravenous infusion only, under close supervision
📌 USES
- Severe symptomatic hyponatremia (esp. <120 mEq/L)
- Reduction of intracranial pressure (e.g., traumatic brain injury)
- Cerebral edema
- Part of osmotherapy protocols in neurocritical care
- Occasionally used to correct hyponatremic encephalopathy
🌟 ADVANTAGES
- Rapid correction of life-threatening low sodium levels
- Effective in emergency neurologic cases
- Improves cerebral perfusion and reduces brain swelling
⚠️ PRECAUTIONS
- Strictly not for routine fluid replacement
- Requires monitoring of serum sodium every 2–4 hours
- Use central line preferred for administration
- Risk of osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) if corrected too rapidly
- Monitor:
- Fluid status
- Neurologic signs
- Renal function
❌ CONTRAINDICATIONS
- Hypernatremia
- Fluid overload states (e.g., pulmonary edema, CHF)
- Severe renal impairment without dialysis
- Uncontrolled hypertension
💢 SIDE EFFECTS (if not carefully monitored)
- Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM)
- Hypernatremia, hyperchloremia
- Metabolic acidosis
- Volume overload, heart failure, pulmonary edema
- Vein irritation, especially if given peripherally
📦 PACKING
- Supplied in:
- 100 mL, 250 mL, or 500 mL plastic IV bags
- Occasionally in ampoules or vials for controlled infusion
🧊 STORAGE
- Store at 15–30°C (room temperature)
- Do not freeze
- Use immediately after opening
- Discard any unused portion (if not multi-dose)