User:Mr. Ibrahem/Saline (medicine)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saline, also known as saline solution, is a mixture of sodium chloride in water and has a number of uses in medicine.[1] Applied to the affected area it is used to clean wounds, help remove contact lenses, and help with dry eyes.[2] By injection into a vein it is used to treat dehydration such as from gastroenteritis and diabetic ketoacidosis.[2] It is also used to dilute other medications to be given by injection.[1]
![]() Saline solution for intravenous infusion. | |
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AHFS/Drugs.com | FDA Professional Drug Information |
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Routes of administration | Intravenous, topical, subcutaneous |
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Large amounts may result in fluid overload, swelling, acidosis, and high blood sodium.[1][2] In those with long-standing low blood sodium, excessive use may result in osmotic demyelination syndrome.[2] Saline is in the crystalloid family of medications.[3] It is most commonly used as a sterile 9 g of salt per litre (0.9%) solution, known as normal saline.[1] Higher and lower concentrations may also occasionally be used.[4][5] Saline has a pH of 5.5 (mainly due to dissolved carbon dioxide) making it acidic.[6]
The medical use of saline began around 1831.[7] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[8] The wholesale cost in the developing world is about US$0.60–4.20 per liter of normal saline.[9] In 2017, sodium salts were the 225th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than two million prescriptions.[10][11]