Finding Sodium Chloride Shouldn't Be This Hard — But Here's How to Do It

Sodium Chloride — whether you know it as saline, normal saline, or NS — is one of the most widely used medications in healthcare. From IV hydration bags to nasal sprays to nebulizer solutions, it's something millions of Americans rely on every day.

But if you've recently been told your pharmacy is out of stock, you know how frustrating it can be. The good news? With the right tools and a few smart strategies, you can usually find Sodium Chloride in stock without too much hassle.

In this guide, we'll share three practical tips to help you track down Sodium Chloride, plus what to do if you still come up empty-handed.

Tip #1: Use Medfinder to Search Pharmacies in Real Time

The fastest way to find Sodium Chloride in stock is to use Medfinder. It's a free tool that lets you search for medications at pharmacies near you and see which ones currently have your medication available.

Here's how it works:

1. Go to medfinder.com
2. Type in "Sodium Chloride" and select your formulation (IV, nasal, nebulizer, etc.)
3. Enter your zip code
4. See a list of pharmacies near you that have it in stock

This saves you from the exhausting process of calling pharmacy after pharmacy. Instead of spending an hour on the phone, you can find what you need in minutes.

For a step-by-step walkthrough, read our guide on how to check if a pharmacy has Sodium Chloride in stock.

Tip #2: Try Independent and Specialty Pharmacies

When the big chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) are out of stock, independent pharmacies are often your best bet. Here's why:

• Different supply chains. Independent pharmacies may source their medications from different wholesalers than the big chains, meaning they sometimes have access to stock that chain stores don't.
• More flexibility. A local pharmacist can often place a special order for you or check with their distributor directly.
• Compounding pharmacies. Some compounding pharmacies can prepare sterile saline solutions on-site, which can be especially helpful during shortages.

Don't forget about specialty pharmacies either. If you need nebulizer saline or IV saline for home infusion therapy, a specialty pharmacy that focuses on these products may be more likely to have consistent supply.

Tip #3: Time Your Visits and Refills Strategically

Pharmacies typically receive new shipments from their wholesalers on specific days of the week — often early in the morning. Here are some timing strategies:

• Call early in the day. Pharmacy stock is usually freshest in the morning after overnight deliveries.
• Ask when shipments arrive. Your pharmacist can tell you which days they get deliveries from their wholesaler.
• Refill a few days early. Don't wait until you're completely out. Most insurance plans allow refills a few days before your supply runs out.
• Avoid end-of-month rushes. Many patients fill prescriptions at the beginning or end of the month, which can strain supply.

What If You Still Can't Find Sodium Chloride?

If you've tried all three tips and still can't locate Sodium Chloride, here are some additional steps:

Talk to Your Doctor About Alternatives

Depending on what you need Sodium Chloride for, your doctor may be able to prescribe a suitable alternative. For IV hydration, options like Lactated Ringer's Solution or Plasma-Lyte A are commonly used substitutes. For more details, read our article on alternatives to Sodium Chloride.

Ask Your Provider to Help

Your prescribing doctor or nurse practitioner may have connections to hospital pharmacies or specialty suppliers that aren't available to the general public. Don't hesitate to ask them for help — they deal with supply issues regularly and may know where to find what you need.

Check for OTC Options

If you need nasal saline, remember that many saline nasal sprays and rinse kits (like NeilMed, Ayr, and Ocean) are available over the counter without a prescription. You can find these at most drugstores, grocery stores, and online retailers.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Your insurance company may be able to direct you to pharmacies in their network that have Sodium Chloride in stock. Some insurers also have specialty pharmacy programs for home infusion patients.

Staying Ahead of Future Shortages

The Sodium Chloride shortage of 2024-2025 — triggered by Hurricane Helene's damage to Baxter's North Carolina plant — showed how quickly supply can be disrupted. While the FDA declared the shortage resolved in August 2025, staying prepared is smart:

• Keep a small buffer supply (don't stockpile, but don't let your supply hit zero)
• Build a relationship with your pharmacist so they can prioritize your needs
• Bookmark Medfinder so you can check availability anytime

For the full story on why Sodium Chloride has been difficult to find, read Why Is Sodium Chloride So Hard to Find?

Final Thoughts

Finding Sodium Chloride in stock doesn't have to be a stressful ordeal. Start with Medfinder to quickly check pharmacy availability, try independent pharmacies as a backup, and time your refills strategically. If all else fails, talk to your doctor about alternatives or ask for help tracking it down.

You deserve access to the medications you need — and a little strategy goes a long way.