Balanced Salt Solution

Indications

This is an isotonic solution for use in irrigating tissues of the eyes. For irrigation during various surgical procedures of the eyes, ears, nose and/or throat.

Pharmacology

This sterile Irrigating Solution is an isotonic solution for use in irrigating tissues of the eyes.

Calcium chloride is used to prevent or treat negative calcium balance. It also regulates action potential excitation threshold to facilitate nerve and muscle performance.

Potassium chloride is a major cation of the intracellular fluid. It plays an active role in the conduction of nerve impulses in the heart, brain and skeletal muscle; contraction of cardiac skeletal and smooth muscles; maintenance of normal renal function, acid-base balance, carbohydrate metabolism and gastric secretion. Sodium chloride is the major extracellular cation. It is important in electrolyte and fluid balance, osmotic pressure control and water distribution as it restores sodium ions. It is used as a source of electrolytes and water for hydration, treatment of metabolic acidosis, priming solution in haemodialysis and treatment of hyperosmolar diabetes. It is also used as diluents for infusion of compatible drug additives.

Magnessium Chloride: Acts as cofactor in numerous enzymatic reactions involving protein synthesis and carbohydrate metabolism; depresses CNS, blocks peripheral neuromuscular transmission, produces anticonvulsant effects.

Sodium chloride plays an important role in controlling the total body water and its distribution. Sodium is the main cation in the extracellular fluid and comprises >90% of total cations. The acetate component is an alternate source of bicarbonate by metabolic conversion in the liver.

Dosage And Administration

This ocular irrigating solution should be used according to standard format for each surgical procedure

Contraindications

Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the products.

Side Effects

When the corneal endothelium is abnormal, irrigation or any other trauma may result in bullous keratopathy. Postoperative inflammatory reactions as well as incidents of corneal edema and corneal decompensation have been reported. Their relationship to the use of balanced salt solution has not been established.

Pregnancy And Lactation

Pregnancy Category: Not Classified. FDA has not yet classified the drug into a specified pregnancy category.

Precautions And Warnings

This solution contains no preservative and should not be used for more than one patient. Use only if container and seal are undamaged and solution is clear. The addition of any medication to isotonic solution may result in damage to intraocular tissue. There have been rare reports of corneal clouding or edema following ocular surgery in which isotonic solution was used as an irrigating solution. As in all surgical procedures appropriate measures should be taken to minimize trauma to the cornea and other ocular tissues.