Sodium chloride

Sodium chloride is the principle salt involved in maintaining the osmotic tension of blood and tissues. Changes in osmotic tension influence the movement of fluids and diffusion of salts in cellular tissue.

The pharmacodynamic properties of the solution are those of the sodium and chloride ions in maintaining the fluid and electrolyte balance. Ions, such as sodium, circulate through the cell membrane, using various mechanisms of transport, among which is the sodium pump (Na-K-ATPase). Sodium plays an important role in neurotransmission and cardiac electrophysiology, and also in renal function.

Chloride is mainly an extracellular anion. Intracellular chloride is in high concentration in red blood cells and gastric mucosa. Reabsorption of chloride follows reabsorption of sodium.

When medication is added to sodium chloride, the overall pharmacodynamics of the solution will depend on the nature of the medicinal product used.

Sodium and chloride are mainly distributed in blood and extracellular compartiments.

Sodium is predominantly excreted by the kidney with a renal reabsorption.

Small amounts of sodium are lost in the faeces and sweat at the skin level.

When medication is added to sodium chloride, the overall pharmacokinetics of the solution will depend on the nature of the medicinal product used.

Oral or enteral sodium chloride is actively transported across gastro-intestinal membranes. It is widely distributed in extracellular and intracellular fluids. In infancy, it is mainly eliminated in the urine.

The safety of sodium chloride in animals is not relevant in view of its presence as a normal component in animal and human plasma.

Toxic effects are not to be expected under the condition of clinical application.

The safety of potential additives should be considered separately.