HARTMANN’S SOLUTION

(Compound Sodium Lactate Intravenous Infusion B.P.)

Sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride dihydrate, sodium lactate 60%

Hartmann’s solution is a clear solution of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride dihydrate and sodium lactate 60% in water. The solution is stored in a sealed plastic container.

Sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride ions are important for maintaining the correct balance of fluid in and around the body’s cells and tissues, and are involved in nerve signals and muscle contractions. Hartmann’s solution may be given for a variety of reasons:

• to help restore fluid levels and the normal salt balance
• to correct for low blood pressure or decreased blood volume
• to treat metabolic acidosis, a condition where there is increased acid in the body.

The solution may be given alone but may be given with other medicines added.

You will be given Hartmann’s solution in hospital by a doctor or nurse.

You MUST NOT be given Hartmann's solution if you have:

• increased levels of sodium, potassium, calcium or chloride in the blood.

These conditions can be detected in blood tests

• severe kidney disease and you are passing little or no urine
• suffered heart failure
• increased blood volume or fluid retention (water intoxication, or excess water content in the body)
• severe metabolic acidosis or lactic acidosis, when you have increased acid in the body
• metabolic alkalosis, when you have less acid in the body than normal
• severe liver disease or cannot breakdown lactate
• swelling caused by fluid retention
• heart disease which is being treated with the medicine digitalis
• a requirement to take additional medicines which may lead to increased potassium levels in the body, such as diuretics (water pills)

The solution will be given to you in hospital.

You will receive the solution by infusion into a vein, probably in your arm, administered by a doctor or nurse. The amount and rate at which the infusion is given depends on your requirements, such as your age, weight and clinical condition. Your doctor will decide on the correct volume for you to receive.

Your doctor will check your response to the treatment by the relief of your symptoms, and will probably take samples of blood and urine for laboratory testing.

If your levels of potassium could be raised, the level of this salt in your blood will be carefully checked.

Your doctor will monitor you carefully if you have heart or lung disease and you need to be given high volumes of the solution.

Levels of potassium in Hartmann's solution are not high enough to treat severely low blood potassium.

If you are given solutions by infusion for a long period of time, your doctor will also provide you with suitable intravenous feeding.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or nurse.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The infusion should be stopped immediately if you experience an adverse reaction.

If you are given the solution for a long time, you may notice the following:

• irritation, swelling, redness and tenderness at the site of injection. You may get inflammation of the vein and blood clots in the vein.

Very common side effects are:

• symptoms of an allergic reaction such as urticaria (hives), skin redness, rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue, respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion, difficulty in breathing, wheezing, coughing, sneezing
• upset levels of electrolytes (salts) in your body giving symptoms such as muscle weakness, swelling, prickling sensation in hands and feet, low or high blood pressure, shortness of breath, confusion, nausea
• if you have heart disease or fluid accumulation in your lungs you may experience water intoxication, or excess water content in the body and heart failure

Common side effects are:

• chest tightness
• chest pain with a decrease or increase in heart rate
• feelings of anxiety

Uncommon side effects are:

• panic attacks and seizure, caused by increases of lactate levels in the blood.

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not store above 25°C. Store in the outer container, in order to protect from light.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

The solution should only be used if it is clear and the container is not damaged. It should be used immediately on removal from the overwrap.

Any unused solution in the bag must be discarded.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. The doctor or nurse will dispose of this medicine. These measures will help to protect the environment.