Saline is a mixture of sodium chloride and water. It is used for cleaning wounds, rehydration, removal, and storage of contact lenses, and it helps with dry eyes in medicine. Normal saline and dextrose saline are two different types of saline solutions.
The key difference between normal saline and dextrose saline is their composition. Normal saline contains only salt in the same concentration as blood, while dextrose saline contains dextrose (a form of sugar) in addition to the salt.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Normal Saline
3. What is Dextrose Saline
4. Similarities – Normal Saline and Dextrose Saline
5. Normal Saline vs Dextrose Saline in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Normal Saline vs Dextrose Saline
7. FAQ – Normal Saline and Dextrose Saline
What is Normal Saline?
Normal saline, also known as physiological saline or isotonic saline, is a solution of 0.90% w/v of NaCl. This means that this solution is 9 grams of sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolved in water to make a total volume of 1000 ml. It is used as an intravenous drip (IV) for people who cannot take fluids orally and are in danger of developing dehydration. It is also used for aseptic purposes (to fill breast implants for use in breast augmentation surgery) and for nasal washes to reduce some of the symptoms of rhinitis and the common cold.
Some side effects that can be caused by normal saline include fever, injection site swelling, redness or infection, rash, joint pain, or shortness of breath. Furthermore, rapid infusion of normal saline may also cause metabolic acidosis.
What is Dextrose Saline?
Dextrose saline is a solution that contains both dextrose and sodium chloride and is used as an intravenous rehydration therapy. It provides a source of carbohydrates to treat sodium depletion and loss of body water after being sick or having diarrhea and hypovolemia. It is usually manufactured in the form of an injection. Depending on the situation, it can be used in different concentrations (5% dextrose + 0.2% NaCl, 5% dextrose + 0.9% NaCl, 10% dextrose + 0.2% NaCl and 10% dextrose + 0.45% NaCl).
The common side effects of dextrose saline may include fever (febrile response), chills, itching (pruritus) or rash, local pain or reaction, irritation, and inflammation at the site of infection.
Similarities Between Normal Saline and Dextrose Saline
- Normal saline and dextrose saline are two different types of saline solutions.
- Both solutions contain sodium chloride and water.
- Both solutions can be used for intravenous rehydration therapy.
- They both have common side effects.
Difference Between Normal Saline and Dextrose Saline
Definition
- Normal saline is a solution that contains only sodium chloride and water.
- Dextrose saline is a solution that contains dextrose, sodium chloride, and water.
Concentration
- Normal saline typically contains 90% weight/volume of sodium chloride.
- Dextrose saline is available in different concentrations, such as 5% dextrose with 0.2% sodium chloride, 5% dextrose with 0.9% sodium chloride, 10% dextrose with 0.2% sodium chloride, and 10% dextrose with 0.45% sodium chloride.
Uses
- Normal saline is used in intravenous drips (IVs) for individuals who cannot take fluids orally and are at risk of dehydration. It is also used for aseptic purposes, such as filling breast implants for breast augmentation surgery and for nasal washes in conditions like rhinitis and the common cold.
- Dextrose saline is used to treat conditions like sodium depletion, extracellular dehydration, and hypovolemia.
Side Effects
- Side effects of normal saline include fever, injection site swelling, redness or infection, rapid heartbeat, rash, joint pain, and shortness of breath.
- Side effects of dextrose saline may cause side effects such as fever (febrile response), chills, itching (pruritus) or rash, local pain or reaction, irritation and inflammation at the site of infection.
The following table summarizes the difference between normal saline and dextrose saline.
Summary – Normal Saline vs Dextrose Saline
Saline water is a solution that contains a high concentration of dissolved salts (sodium chloride). It is used for ascetic purposes and to replace liquid lost from dehydration. Normal saline and dextrose saline are two types of saline solutions. Normal saline solution contains only a high concentration of salt and pure water while dextrose saline solution contains dextrose in addition to the salt and pure water. This is the key difference between normal saline and dextrose saline.
FAQ: Normal Saline and Dextrose Saline
1. What is normal saline used for?
- The most commonly used crystalloid fluid worldwide is normal saline, which contains sodium chloride and pure water. It is used in the management and treatment of dehydration, metabolic alkalosis in the presence of fluid loss, and mild sodium depletion.
2. What are three conditions that normal saline is used for?
- Three percent sodium chloride (3% NaCl) is a hyperosmolar agent. It can be used for patients with severe hyponatremic encephalopathy, traumatic brain injury, and cerebral edema.
3. Why do doctors give normal saline instead of dextrose to treat dehydration?
- This approach involves replacing dehydration losses with 0.9% saline. Furthermore, it ensures that the administered fluid remains in the extracellular compartment, where it will support blood pressure and peripheral perfusion.
4. What is dextrose saline used for?
- Dextrose saline contains dextrose, sodium chloride and pure water. Dextrose saline is a sterile solution used to provide the body with extra water and carbohydrates. It is mainly used for sodium depletion, extracellular dehydration or hypovolaemia.
5. What is dextrose 5% in water?
- Dextrose 5% in water is a dextrose sugar-containing solution where dextrose is dissolved in pure water. It is used to treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), insulin shock, or dehydration (fluid loss).
Reference:
1. “Normal Saline (Sodium Chloride Injection): Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings.” RxList.
2. “Glucose (Dextrose) + Saline (Sodium Chloride) Injection – Manufacturer.” AdvaCare Pharma.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Dextrose Saline 001” By أمين – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Otsuka Normal Saline” By 靖太郎 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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