sodium chloride (oral)

What is the most important information I should know about sodium chloride?

Before you take sodium chloride, tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, fluid retention (especially around your legs or your lungs), congestive heart failure, preeclampsia of pregnancy if you are on a low-salt diet, or if you are allergic to any foods or drugs.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using sodium chloride.

What is sodium chloride?

Sodium chloride is the chemical name for salt. Sodium is an electrolyte that regulates the amount of water in your body. Sodium also plays a part in nerve impulses and muscle contractions.

Sodium chloride is used to treat or prevent sodium loss caused by dehydration, excessive sweating, or other causes.

Sodium chloride may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking sodium chloride?

To make sure you can safely take sodium chloride, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• high blood pressure;
• kidney disease;
• liver disease (especially cirrhosis);
• a buildup of fluid around your lungs (also called pleural effusion);
• fluid retention (especially swelling in your ankles or feet );
• congestive heart failure;
• if you are pregnant and you have high blood pressure and fluid retention (also called preeclampsia);
• if you are allergic to any foods or drugs; or
• if you are on a low-salt diet.

How should I take sodium chloride?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Sodium chloride may be taken with or without food.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using sodium chloride.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, fast or uneven heart rate, weakness, swelling in your hands or feet, feeling restless or irritable, slow breathing, feeling short of breath, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking sodium chloride?

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

What are the possible side effects of sodium chloride?

• nausea and vomiting;
• stomach pain; or
• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect sodium chloride?

There may be other drugs that can interact with sodium chloride. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about sodium chloride.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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