SODIUM CHLORIDE 3% (OTSUKA) I.V. INF. 250 ML

Hypertonic sodium chloride solutions contain a higher concentration of sodium and chloride than normally contained in plasma. Infusion of hypertonic sodium chloride solution shifts fluids from the intracellular space into the intravascular and interstitial spaces. Hypertonic sodium chloride solutions are used in the acute treatment of sodium deficiency (severe hyponatremia) and should be used only in critical situations to treat hyponatremia. They need to be infused at a very low rate to avoid the risk of overload and pulmonary edema. If administered in large quantities and rapidly they may cause an extracellular volume excess and precipitate circulatory overload and dehydration. Therefore they should be administered cautiously and usually only when the serum osmolality has decreased to critically low levels. Some patients may need diuretic therapy to assist in fluid excretion. It is also used in patients with cerebral edema.