Ringers

Generic Name: Sodium chloride, potassium chloride and calcium chloride
Dosage Form: Injection

Ringers Description

Each 100 mL of Ringer"s Injection USP contains:

Sodium Chloride USP 0.86 g; Calcium Chloride Dihydrate USP 0.033 g Potassium Chloride USP 0.03 g; Water for Injection USP qs

pH: 5.8 (5.0–7.5)        Calculated Osmolarity: 310 mOsmol/liter

Concentration of Electrolytes (mEq/liter): Sodium 147; Potassium 4 Calcium 4.5; Chloride 156

Ringer"s Injection USP is sterile, nonpyrogenic and contains no bacteriostatic or antimicrobial agents. This product is intended for intravenous administration in a single dose container.

The formulas of the active ingredients are:

Ingredients	Molecular Formula	Molecular Weight
Sodium Chloride USP	NaCl	58.44
Potassium Chloride USP	KCl	74.55
Calcium Chloride Dihydrate USP	CaCl2•2H2O	147.02

The EXCEL Container is Latex-free, PVC-free, and DEHP-free.

The plastic container is made from a multilayered film specifically developed for parenteral drugs. It contains no plasticizers and exhibits virtually no leachables. The solution contact layer is a rubberized copolymer of ethylene and propylene. The container is nontoxic and biologically inert. The container-solution unit is a closed system and is not dependent upon entry of external air during administration. The container is overwrapped to provide protection from the physical environment and to provide an additional moisture barrier when necessary.

Addition of medication should be accomplished using complete aseptic technique.

The closure system has two ports; the one for the administration set has a tamper evident plastic protector and the other is a medication addition site. Refer to the Directions for Use of the container.

Ringers - Clinical Pharmacology

Ringer"s Injection USP provides electrolytes and is a source of water for hydration. It is capable of inducing diuresis depending on the clinical condition of the patient.

Sodium, the major cation of the extracellular fluid, functions primarily in the control of water distribution, fluid balance, and osmotic pressure of body fluids. Sodium is also associated with chloride and bicarbonate in the regulation of the acid-base equilibrium of body fluid. Potassium, the principal cation of intracellular fluid, participates in carbohydrate utilization and protein synthesis, and is critical in the regulation of nerve conduction and muscle contraction, particularly in the heart.

Chloride, the major extracellular anion, closely follows the metabolism of sodium, and changes in the acid-base balance of the body are reflected by changes in the chloride concentration. Calcium, an important cation, provides the framework of bones and teeth in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. In the ionized form, calcium is essential for the functional mechanism of the clotting of blood, normal cardiac function, and regulation of neuromuscular irritability.

Indications and Usage for Ringers

This solution is indicated for use in adults and pediatric patients as a source of electrolytes and water for hydration.

Contraindications

This solution is contraindicated where the administration of sodium, potassium, calcium, or chloride could be clinically detrimental.

Warnings

The administration of intravenous solutions can cause fluid and/or solute overload resulting in dilution of serum electrolyte concentrations, overhydration, congested states or pulmonary edema. The risk of dilutional states is inversely proportional to the electrolyte concentration. The risk of solute overload causing congested states with peripheral and pulmonary edema is directly proportional to the electrolyte concentration.

Solutions containing sodium ions should be used with great care, if at all, in patients with congestive heart failure, severe renal insufficiency, and in clinical states in which there is sodium retention with edema.

Solutions containing potassium ions should be used with great care, if at all, in patients with hyperkalemia, severe renal failure, and in conditions in which potassium retention is present.

In patients with diminished renal function, administration of solutions containing sodium or potassium ions may result in sodium or potassium retention.

Solutions containing calcium ions should not be administered through the same administration set as blood because of the likelihood of coagulation.

Precautions

General

Extraordinary electrolytes losses such as may occur during protracted nasogastric suction, vomiting, diarrhea or gastrointestinal fistula drainage may necessitate additional electrolyte supplementation.

Sodium-containing solutions should be administered with caution to patients receiving corticosteroids or corticotropin, or to other salt-retaining patients.

Potassium therapy should be guided primarily by serial electrocardiograms, especially in patients receiving digitalis. Serum potassium levels are not necessarily indicative of tissue potassium levels.

Care should be exercised in administering solutions containing sodium or potassium to patients with renal or cardiovascular insufficiency, with or without congestive heart failure, particularly if they are postoperative or elderly.

Solutions containing potassium or calcium should be used with caution in the presence of cardiac disease, particularly in the presence of renal disease.

Parenteral calcium should be administered with extreme caution to patients receiving digitalis preparations.

To minimize the risk of possible incompatibilities arising from mixing this solution with other additives that may be prescribed, the final infusate should be inspected for cloudiness or precipitation immediately after mixing, prior to administration, and periodically during administration.

Do not use plastic container in series connection.

If administration is controlled by a pumping device, care must be taken to discontinue pumping action before the container runs dry or air embolism may result.

This solution is intended for intravenous administration using sterile equipment. It is recommended that intravenous administration apparatus be replaced at least once every 24 hours.

Use only if solution is clear and container and seals are intact.

Laboratory Tests

Clinical evaluation and periodic laboratory determinations are necessary to monitor changes in fluid balance, electrolyte concentrations, and acid-base balance during prolonged parenteral therapy or whenever the condition of the patient warrants such evaluation. Significant deviations from normal concentrations may require the use of additional electrolyte supplements, or the use of electrolyte-free dextrose solutions to which individualized electrolyte supplements may be added.

Drug Interactions

Some additives may be incompatible. Consult with pharmacist. When introducing additives, use aseptic techniques. Mix thoroughly. Do not store.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Studies with Ringer"s Injection USP have not been performed to evaluate carcinogenic potential, mutagenic potential, or effects on fertility.

Pregnancy

Teratogenic Effects

Pregnancy Category C

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Ringer"s Injection USP. It is also not known whether Ringer"s Injection USP can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Ringer"s Injection USP should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Labor and Delivery

As reported in the literature, Ringer"s Injection USP has been administered during labor and delivery. Caution should be exercised, and the fluid balance, glucose and electrolyte concentrations, and acid-base balance, of both mother and fetus should be evaluated periodically or whenever warranted by the condition of the patient or fetus.

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Ringer"s Injection USP is administered to a nursing mother.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness of Ringer"s Injection USP in pediatric patients have not been established by adequate and well controlled trials, however, the use of electrolyte solutions in the pediatric population is referenced in the medical literature. The warnings, precautions, and adverse reactions identified in the label copy should be observed in the pediatric population.

Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of Ringer"s Injection USP did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

Adverse Reactions

Reactions which may occur because of the solution or the technique of administration include febrile response, infection at the site of injection, venous thrombosis or phlebitis extending from the site of injection, extravasation and hypervolemia.

Symptoms may result from an excess or deficit of one or more of the ions present in the solution; therefore, frequent monitoring of electrolyte levels is essential.

Hypernatremia may be associated with edema and exacerbation of congestive heart failure due to the retention of water, resulting in an expanded extracellular fluid volume.

Reactions reported with the use of potassium-containing solutions include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The signs and symptoms of potassium intoxication include paresthesias of the extremities, areflexia, muscular or respiratory paralysis, mental confusion, weakness, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, heart block, electrocardiographic abnormalities and cardiac arrest. Potassium deficits result in disruption of neuromuscular function, and intestinal ileus and dilatation.

If infused in large amounts, chloride ions may cause a loss of bicarbonate ions, resulting in an acidifying effect.

Abnormally high plasma levels of calcium can result in depression, amnesia, headaches, drowsiness, disorientation, syncope, hallucinations, hypotonia of both skeletal and smooth muscles, dysphagia, arrhythmias and coma. Calcium deficits can result in neuromuscular hyperexcitability, including cramps and convulsions.

The physician should also be alert to the possibility of adverse reactions to drug additives. Prescribing information for drug additives to be administered in this manner should be consulted.

If an adverse reaction does occur, discontinue the infusion, evaluate the patient, institute appropriate therapeutic countermeasures and save the remainder of the fluid for examination if deemed necessary.

Overdosage

In the event of a fluid or solute overload during parenteral therapy, reevaluate the patient"s condition and institute appropriate corrective treatment.

In the event of overdosage with potassium-containing solutions, discontinue the infusion immediately and institute corrective therapy to reduce serum potassium levels.

Treatment of hyperkalemia includes the following:

1. Dextrose Injection USP, 10% or 25%, containing 10 units of crystalline insulin per 20 grams of dextrose administered intravenously, 300 to 500 mL per hour.
2. Absorption and exchange of potassium using sodium or ammonium cycle cation exchange resin, orally and as retention enema.
3. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. The use of potassium-containing foods or medications must be eliminated. However, in cases of digitalization, too rapid a lowering of plasma potassium concentration can cause digitalis toxicity.

Ringers Dosage and Administration

This solution is for intravenous use only.

Dosage is to be directed by a physician and is dependent upon age, weight, clinical condition of the patient and laboratory determinations. Frequent laboratory determinations and clinical evaluation are essential to monitor changes in blood glucose and electrolyte concentrations, and fluid and electrolyte balance during prolonged parenteral therapy. The usual adult dose is one to two liters per day.

In the average adult, daily requirements of sodium and chloride are met by the infusion of one liter of 0.9% sodium chloride (154 mEq each of sodium and chloride).

Fluid administration should be based on calculated maintenance or replacement fluid requirements for each patient.

Some additives may be incompatible. Consult with pharmacist. When introducing additives, use aseptic techniques. Mix thoroughly.
Do not store.

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.

How is Ringers Supplied

Ringer"s Injection USP is supplied sterile and nonpyrogenic in EXCEL® Containers packaged 12 per case.

NDC	Cat. No.	Size
Ringer"s Injection USP (Canada DIN 01936034)
0264-7780-00	L7800	1000 mL

Exposure of pharmaceutical products to heat should be minimized. Avoid excessive heat. Protect from freezing. It is recommended that the product be stored at room temperature (25°C).

Rx only

Rev: August 2004

U.S. Patent No. 4,803,102

EXCEL® is a registered trademark of B. Braun Medical Inc.

Made in USA

Directions for Use of EXCEL® Container

Caution: Do not use plastic container in series connection.

To Open

Tear overwrap down at notch and remove solution container. Check for minute leaks by squeezing solution container firmly. If leaks are found, discard solution as sterility may be impaired. If supplemental medication is desired, follow directions below before preparing for administration.

NOTE: Before use, perform the following checks:

 

Inspect each container. Read the label. Ensure solution is the one ordered and is within the expiration date.

 

Invert container and carefully inspect the solution in good light for cloudiness, haze, or particulate matter. Any container which is suspect should not be used.

 

Use only if solution is clear and container and seals are intact.

Preparation for Administration

1. Remove plastic protector from sterile set port at bottom of container.
2. Attach administration set. Refer to complete directions accompanying set.

To Add Medication

Warning: Some additives may be incompatible.

To Add Medication Before Solution Administration

1. Prepare medication site.
2. Using syringe with 18–22 gauge needle, puncture medication port and inner diaphragm and inject.
3. Squeeze and tap ports while ports are upright and mix solution and medication thoroughly.

To Add Medication During Solution Administration

1. Close clamp on the set.
2. Prepare medication site.
3. Using syringe with 18–22 gauge needle of appropriate length (at least 5/8 inch), puncture resealable medication port and inner diaphragm and inject.
4. Remove container from IV pole and/or turn to an upright position.
5. Evacuate both ports by tapping and squeezing them while container is in the upright position.
6. Mix solution and medication thoroughly.
7. Return container to in use position and continue administration.

B. Braun Medical Inc.
Irvine, CA USA 92614-5895

In Canada, distributed by:
B. Braun Medical Inc.
Scarborough, Ontario M1H 2W4

©2004 B. Braun Medical Inc.

Y36-002-465

Ringer"s (Sodium chloride, potassium chloride and calcium chloride)

PRODUCT INFO Product Code 0264-7780 Dosage Form INJECTION Route Of Administration INTRAVENOUS DEA Schedule

INGREDIENTS Name (Active Moiety) Type Strength Sodium Chloride (Sodium Chloride) Active 0.86 GRAM  In 100 MILLILITER Potassium Chloride (Potassium Chloride) Active 0.03 GRAM  In 100 MILLILITER Calcium Chloride (Calcium Chloride) Active 0.033 GRAM  In 100 MILLILITER Water Inactive

IMPRINT INFORMATION Characteristic Appearance Characteristic Appearance Color Score Shape Symbol Imprint Code Coating Size

PACKAGING # NDC Package Description Multilevel Packaging 1 0264-7780-00 12 CONTAINER In 1 CASE contains a CONTAINER 1 1000 MILLILITER In 1 CONTAINER This package is contained within the CASE (0264-7780-00)

Revised: 01/2007