Saline (also known as saline solution) is a mixture of sodium chloride (salt) and water.It has a number of uses in medicine including cleaning wounds, removal and storage of contact lenses, and help with dry eyes.By injection into a vein it is used to treat dehydration such as that from gastroenteritis and diabetic ketoacidosis. Large amounts may result in fluid overload, swelling, acidosis, and high blood sodium. In those with long-standing low blood sodium, excessive use may result in osmotic demyelination syndrome.
Saline is in the crystalloid family of medications.It is most commonly used as a sterile 9 g of salt per litre (0.9%) solution, known as normal saline.Higher and lower concentrations may also occasionally be used. Saline is acidic, with a pH of 5.5 (due mainly to dissolved carbon dioxide).
The medical use of saline began around 1831.It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. In 2020, sodium was the 274th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions.