sodium chloride (inhalation)

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sodium chloride (inhalation)

Pronunciation: SOE dee um KLOR ide

Brand: Hyper-Sal, NebuSal, Sodium Chloride, Inhalation

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

Before you use sodium chloride, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and allergies. Also make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. In some cases, you may not be able to use sodium chloride, or you may need to adjust your dose or take special precautions.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially potassium supplements, diuretics, steroids, blood pressure medications, or medications that contain sodium (such as Alka-Seltzer or Zegrid).

Tell your caregiver right away if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, swelling in your hands or feet, tiredness, muscle twitching, confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased or decreased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling, or if you feel like you might pass out.

What is sodium chloride inhalation?

Sodium chloride is the chemical name for salt. Sodium chloride can reduce some types of bacteria in certain body secretions, such as saliva.

Sodium chloride inhalation is used to produce sputum (mucus, or phlegm) from the mouth to help improve lung function in people with cystic fibrosis, or to collect sputum for medical testing. This medication may also be used to dilute other medications inhaled through a nebulizer.

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

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

You should not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to sodium chloride.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

asthma;
heart disease or high blood pressure;
epilepsy;
kidney or liver disease;
migraine headaches;
any type of edema (swelling);
if you have recently had surgery; or
if you are on a low-salt diet.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether sodium chloride inhalation is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether sodium chloride passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is sodium chloride inhalation given?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Sodium chloride inhalation is given using a nebulizer. You will inhale the medication through a face mask, mouth piece, or other device connected to the nebulizer.

Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider can show you how to properly use the nebulizer.

Sodium chloride is a liquid that is placed into the medication chamber of the nebulizer. A mouthpiece or face mask is then attached to the drug chamber, along with an air compressor.

To prepare for inhaling sodium chloride through a nebulizer, you may be given another inhaled medication to prevent bronchospasm (muscle contractions within the airways of the lungs). Your doctor may also ask you to blow your nose, rinse your mouth with water, or wipe the inside of your mouth with a tissue. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully for best results.

In most cases, you will use this medication while you are sitting upright in a comfortable position. Breathe slowly and evenly while you are using the mask, mouthpiece, or other breathing device. You may also be given a nose clip to wear that will close your nasal passages so that you inhale only through your mouth.

If you are using this medication as part of a sputum test, you will need to spit about every 5 minutes or as directed by your healthcare provider. Cough deeply from your chest to produce an optimal specimen for testing.

Continue breathing through the nebulizer for as long as directed by your doctor. Once you have completed the inhalation for the prescribed amount of time, throw away any liquid that is left in the medicine chamber. Do not save it for later use.

If you store sodium chloride at home, keep it at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since sodium chloride inhalation is sometimes used only as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using sodium chloride inhalation?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of sodium chloride inhalation?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregiver right away if you have:

chest pain, trouble breathing;
a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
swelling in your hands or feet;
tiredness, muscle twitching;
confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased or decreased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Other common side effects may include a salty taste or slight burning or irritation in your mouth.

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 inhalation?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with sodium chloride, especially:

potassium supplements;
a diuretic or "water pill";
a steroid such as prednisone, fluticasone, mometasone, dexamethasone, and others;
blood pressure medication; or
medication that contains sodium, such as Alka-Seltzer or Zegrid (omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with sodium chloride, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about sodium chloride inhalation.

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.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.02. Revision date: 12/3/2013.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read, understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by clicking on this link.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

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sodium chloride (inhalation)

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

What is sodium chloride inhalation?

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

How is sodium chloride inhalation given?

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while using sodium chloride inhalation?

What are the possible side effects of sodium chloride inhalation?

What other drugs will affect sodium chloride inhalation?

Where can I get more information?

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