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0.9% w/v Sodium Chloride injection BP – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for healthcare professionals

The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) is written for healthcare professionals. Patients will find plain advice in the patient information leaflet.

Updated:
Medicine strength:
0.9% w/v
Contains active substance:

Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - 0.9% w/v Sodium Chloride injection BP

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

0.9% w/v Sodium Chloride Injection BP

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

1 ml of solution contains

Sodium Chloride 9 mg

Electrolyte concentrations:

Sodium 154 mmol/l

Chloride 154 mmol/l

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Solution for injection

Clear, colourless aqueous solution

Theoretical osmolarity 308 mOsm/l Acidity (titration to pH 7.4) < 0.3 mmol/l pH 4.5-7.0

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Dissolvent and carrier solution for injectable drugs.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology

Dosage, Route of administration and the duration of use depend on the instructions given for the medicinal product to be dissolved or diluted.

Method of administration

Intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous use.

For the use of this solution as solvent/diluent for compatible medicinal products, the instructions for use relating to the medicinal product to be added must be observed.

4.3 Contraindications

0.9% w/v Sodium Chloride Injection BP must not be administered to patients with

  • severe hypernatraemia
  • severe hyperchloraemia

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

0.9% w/v Sodium Chloride Injection BP should only be administered with caution in cases of:

  • hypernatraemia
  • hyperchloraemia

Clinical monitoring should include checks of the serum ionogram, the acid-base status and water balance.

Please note: The safety information of the additive provided by the respective manufacturer have to be taken into account.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Medicinal products causing sodium retention

The concomitant use of sodium-retaining drugs (e.g. corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents) may lead to oedema.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

There is a limited amount of data from the use of 0.9% w/v Sodium Chloride Injection BP in pregnant women. These data do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects of 0.9% w/v Sodium Chloride Injection BP with respect to reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). As the concentrations of sodium and chloride are similar to that in human body no harmful effects are to be expected if the product is used as indicated.

Therefore 0.9% w/v Sodium Chloride Injection BP can be used if indicated.

Breast-feeding

As the concentration of sodium and chloride are similar to that in human body no harmful effects are to be expected if the product is used as indicated. 0.9% w/v Sodium Chloride Injection BP can be used during breast-feeding, if required.

Fertility

No data available.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

0.9% w/v Sodium Chloride Injection BP has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

4.8 Undesirable effects

None to be expected if the product is used according to directions.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via United Kingdom Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9 Overdose

Symptoms

Overdose of 0.9% w/v Sodium Chloride Injection BP may result in hypernatraemia, hyperchloraemia, hyperhydration, hyperosmolarity of the serum and hyperchloraemic acidosis.

Treatment

Immediate stop of administration, administration of diuretics with continuous monitoring of serum electrolytes, correction of electrolyte and acid-base imbalances.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Solvents and diluting agents, including irrigating solutions ATC Code: V07AB

Sodium is the primary cation of the extracellular space and together with various anions, regulates the size of this. Sodium and potassium are the major mediators of bioelectric processes within the body.

The sodium content and the liquid metabolism of the body are closely coupled to each other. Each deviation of the plasma sodium concentration from the physiological one simultaneously affects the fluid status of the body.

An increase in the sodium content of the body also means reduction of the body's free water content independent of the serum osmolality.

A 9 mg/ml sodium chloride Injection solution has the same osmolarity as plasma. Administration of this solution primarily leads to a replenishment of the interstitial space which is about 2/3 of the entire extracellular space. Only 1/3 of the administered volume remains in the intravascular space. Therefore the haemodynamic effect of the solution is of short duration only.

Chloride is exchanged for hydrogen carbonate in the tubule system and is, thus, involved in the regulation of the acid base balance.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

The kidneys are the major regulator of the sodium, chloride and fluid balances. In co-operation with the hormonal control mechanisms (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, antidiuretic hormone) and the hypothetical natriuretic hormone they are primarily responsible for keeping the volume of the extracellular space constant and regulating its fluid composition.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenic potential, toxicity to reproduction.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Water for injections

6.2 Incompatibilities

When mixing with other medicinal products, possible incompatibilities should be considered.

6.3 Shelf life

  • unopened

    3 years

  • after first opening

    The product must be used immediately after opening the container, see also section 6.6.

  • after preparation of the ready-to-use mixture

    From a microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 to 8 °C, unless dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

  • Polyethylene ampoules containing: 5 ml, 10 ml, 20 ml

supplied in packs of 20 × 5 ml, 20 × 10 ml, 20 × 20 ml

  • Polypropylene ampoules, containing: 10 ml, 20 ml

supplied in packs of 100 × 10 ml 100 × 20 ml, 50 x 10 ml, 50 x 20 ml

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

Containers are for single use only. Discard container and unused content after use.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

Solution should be used immediately after opening of the container or after preparation of the ready-to-use mixture.

Do not use if the solution is not clear and colourless or the container or its closure show visible signs of damage.

7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

B. Braun Melsungen AG

Carl-Braun-Straße 1

34212 Melsungen

Germany

8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 03551/0076

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE

AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 01 October 2001

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

27/10/2019

About this document

Source: MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (products.mhra.gov.uk) · Marketing authorisation: PL 03551/0076

Last revision stated in the text: 27 October 2019 · MHRA data as of 13 October 2026

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Facts about 0.9% w/v Sodium Chloride injection BP

What these facts mean

Active substance? Sodium chloride
Strength? 0.9% w/v
Pharmaceutical form? Clear, colourless aqueous solution
Theoretical osmolarity 308 mOsm/l Acidity (titration to pH 7.4) < 0.3 mmol/l pH 4.5-7.0
Excipients? Water for injections
Shelf life? unopened 3 years
after first opening The product must be used immediately after opening the container, see also section 6.6.
after preparation of the ready-to-use mixture From a microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 to 8 °C, unless dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.
Storage This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Drug group (ATC)? Solvents and diluting agents, including irrigating solutions
Marketing authorisation? PL 03551/0076 (first authorised 1 October 2001)
Marketing authorisation holder? B. Braun Melsungen AG

Sources: the MHRA product information (products.mhra.gov.uk) and the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), release 11.0.0 of 2 November 2026, NHS Business Services Authority. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.