Sodium Chloride

(SOW dee um KLOR ide)

What key warnings do I need to know about before giving this drug to my child?

• Sometimes drugs are not safe when your child takes them with other drugs. They can cause bad side effects. This is one of those drugs. Be sure to talk to your child’s doctor about all the drugs your child takes.

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to sodium chloride or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Oral and shot:
• Not if your child has has any of these health problems: High sodium levels or swelling.
• Not if your child is on a low-salt diet.

Why does my child need this drug?

• Oral and shot:
• It is used to treat low sodium levels.
• It is used in the diet to meet sodium needs.
• Shot:
• It is used to treat fluid loss.
• It is used to treat brain swelling.
• It is used to mix with a drug that is given as a shot into the vein over a period of time.
• Eye:
• It is used to lower swelling.
• Liquid for breathing in:
• It adds water into the breathing tubes.
• It is used to thin the fluid in the lungs.
• Nose:
• It is used to add water to the nose passages.
• It is used to thin fluid in the nose passages.
• Skin:
• It is used to clean wounds.

How does this drug work?

• Sodium chloride is a salt supplement.
• It puts back salt and water losses.
• It may pull extra fluid out of a swollen area.

How is this drug given?

• Oral:
• Give tablet with or without food. Give with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• There is a liquid if your child cannot swallow pills.
• Children who have feeding tubes may also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after this drug is given.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, get an oral syringe, a dropper, a spoon, or a cup (only for older children) from your pharmacist.
• Shot:
• It is given as a shot into a vein.
• It is given as a shot into a vein over a period of time.
• Liquid for breathing in:
• For breathing in only by a puffer (inhaler) or as a liquid (solution) by a special machine (nebulizer) into the lungs.
• Nose:
• For use in your child's nose only. Keep out of your child's mouth and eyes (may burn).
• Have your child blow nose before use.
• Skin:
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Clean affected part before use. Make sure to dry well.
• All eye products:
• For the eye only.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Have your child take out his/her contact lenses before using this drug. Lenses may be put back in 15 minutes after this drug is given. Do not put lenses back in if your child's eyes are irritated or infected.
• Do not touch the container tip to your child's eye, lid, or other skin.
• Tilt your child's head back and to the side of affected eye.
• Eye drops:
• Shake well before use.
• Gently press the skin under the lower eyelid and pull the lower eyelid away from the eye slightly until you can see a small pouch.
• Put in 1 drop. Wait 1 minute before the next drop.
• After giving this drug, ask your child to keep eyes closed. Put light pressure on the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3 to 5 minutes. This keeps the drug in your child's eye.
• Space each eye drug by 5 minutes.
• Eye ointment:
• Gently pull down the lower lid and squeeze in how much the doctor told you to use.
• Release the lower eyelid and have your child keep eyes closed for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Space each eye drug by 10 minutes.

How long does this drug take to work?

• It starts working as soon as it is given.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses or extra doses.
• Do not change the dose or stop your child's drug. Talk with your child's doctor.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Shot:
• Swelling.
• Pain and irritation where this drug goes into the body.
• Oral:
• Swelling.
• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals and good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.
• Loose stools (diarrhea).

What do I need to watch for when my child is using this drug?

• Change in the health problem being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• For unwanted side effects of this drug.
• Follow up with the doctor.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child has trouble breathing.
• If your child has a sudden change in eyesight, eye pain, or irritation.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature.
• The shot will be given to your child in a hospital or doctor's office. You will not store it at home.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• Your child may only get some products of this drug by drug order. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If no refills are left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.