Sodium Chloride Injection and Intravenous Infusion

NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary

The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

1. Why am I being treated with Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion?

Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion contains the active ingredient sodium chloride. This chemical is naturally present in body fluids and is needed for normal body function. It is given to patients who have low levels of salt in the body. It may also be used for dilution of other medicines before injecting into the body.
For more information, see Section 1. Why am I being treated with Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion? in the full CMI.

2. What should I know before treatment with Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion?

Talk to your doctor if you have any heart, kidney or liver disease, swelling of the hands, ankles or feet, suffer breathlessness, are taking corticosteroids or corticotrophin or have had any recent surgical procedures.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion.
A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

4. How is Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion given?

Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion is given through slow infusion “drip” into a vein by a doctor or nurse.
Your doctor will decide how much Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion is needed. More instructions can be found in Section 4. How is Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion given? in the full CMI.

5. What should I know during treatment with Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion?

Things you should do
Tell any doctor or nurse giving you this medicine if you are about to be started on any new medicine; you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant; or you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you suffer from any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Driving or using machines
Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion may cause sleepiness, drowsiness or confusion. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive or operate machinery.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Looking after your medicine
Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion is stored in the pharmacy or on the ward.
Keep in a cool dry place, protected from light where the temperature stays below 25°C. The solution should be clear and colourless.

6. Are there any side effects?

Common side effects include swollen or inflamed vein due to prolonged infusions.
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, thirst, dry mouth, sweats, swelling of the hands, ankles or feet, muscle twitches, weakness, cramps or paralysis, restlessness or irritability, fever, reduced saliva or dry eyes, fast heart beat, difficulty breathing, headache, dizziness, sleepiness, drowsiness or confusion.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Active ingredient(s): sodium Chloride 0.9%

Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about using Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion. You should also speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using this medicine.
Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I being treated with Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion?

Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion contains the active ingredient sodium Chloride . It is used to:
treat low levels of salt in the body
dilute other medicines before injecting into the body

2. What should I know before treatment with Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion?

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:

heart disease, including congestive heart failure
kidney problems
liver disease
swelling of the hands, ankles or feet
breathlessness, which may be severe and usually worsens when lying down
any condition for which you are taking corticosteroids or corticotrophin.
If you are not sure whether you should be given this medicine, talk to your doctor.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?
This medicine is not addictive.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefit of being given Sodium Chloride Intravenous Infusion during pregnancy.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
It is not known whether sodium chloride passes into breast milk. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits being given Sodium Chloride Intravenous Infusion whilst breastfeeding.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you are given Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may affect the way Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion works. Your doctor will advise you about continuing to take other medicines.

4. How is Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion given?

How much is given

Your doctor will decide what dose, how often and how long you will receive Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion.
This depends on your condition and other factors, such as your weight, age, blood tests, how well your kidneys are working, and whether or not other medicines are being given at the same time.

How is Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion given

Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion is given through slow infusion “drip” into your veins (this is called an intravenous infusion).
This medicine must only be given by a doctor or nurse.

If too much Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion is given

As Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion is given to you under the supervision of your doctor, it is very unlikely that you will receive too much.
Symptoms of an overdose may include the side effects listed under Section 6. Are there any side effects?, with early signs of overdose being nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cramps, increased thirst and swelling.
If you think that you have been given too much Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
alert you doctor or nurse if in a hospital or clinic
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling 13 11 26), or
contact your doctor
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

5. What should I know during treatment with Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion?

Things you should do

Tell any doctor or nurse giving you this medicine if you:
are about to be started on any new medicine
are planning to become pregnant. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant during treatment with this medicine
are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you see that you are being given Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion.
Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked. Your doctor may do some tests from time to time to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent unwanted side effects.

Driving or using machines

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion affects you.
Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion may cause dizziness, drowsiness or confusion. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Drinking alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

How is Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion stored

Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion is stored in the pharmacy or on the ward.
Store below 25°C. Keep in a cool dry place.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine. This medicine should only be used once and any remaining solution discarded. It can be taken to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.

6. Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion may cause side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

Common side effects

Common side effects
What to do
swollen or inflamed vein due to prolonged infusions.
Speak to your doctor if you have any of these common side effects and they worry you.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects
What to do
nausea and vomiting
stomach cramps
diarrhoea
thirst, dry mouth
headache
dizziness
sweats or fever
swelling of the hands, ankles or feet
muscle twitches, weakness, cramps or paralysis
feeling tired, sleepy or weak
restlessness or irritability
confusion
reduced saliva or dry eyes
fast heartbeat
difficulty breathing or abnormal breathing
convulsions
coma
Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you notice these serious side effects.
These side effects are rare and may require medical attention.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop treatment with any of your medicines.

7. Product details

What Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion contains

Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
Sodium Chloride
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
Water for injections
Hydrochloric acid
Sodium hydroxide

What Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion looks like

Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion is a clear, colourless solution packaged in plastic vials.
Australian Registration Number: AUST R 10804 and 49280

Who distributes Sodium Chloride 0.9% Intravenous Infusion

Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
Sydney NSW
Toll Free Number: 1800 675 229
This leaflet was prepared in May 2024.
® Registered trademark

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.