Sodium Chloride (saline) is an essential electrolyte solution used for IV hydration, nasal irrigation, nebulizer therapy, and more. Learn uses, dosage, and costs.
If you've ever been to a hospital, you've almost certainly seen a bag of Sodium Chloride hanging from an IV pole. It's the most commonly used medication in healthcare — and yet many patients don't fully understand what it is, why it's prescribed, or how much it should cost.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Sodium Chloride in 2026, from its many uses and formulations to dosing, contraindications, and cost.
Sodium Chloride is the medical term for a sterile, pharmaceutical-grade salt-water solution. You may know it by its more common names: Normal Saline, NS, or simply saline.
Sodium Chloride provides the two most important electrolytes in your body: sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl⁻). These ions are essential for maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, muscle contraction, and proper acid-base equilibrium.
Sodium Chloride has an unusually wide range of medical uses. Here are the FDA-approved indications:
The most common use of Sodium Chloride is intravenous hydration. Doctors use IV saline to treat:
Many IV medications are diluted in Sodium Chloride before administration. It's also used to flush IV lines before and after giving other drugs.
Sodium Chloride is used to initiate and terminate blood transfusions. It's the only IV fluid compatible with blood products.
Saline is used as a priming solution for dialysis equipment.
Sodium Chloride nasal sprays (0.65%) and irrigation kits (like NeilMed) moisturize dry nasal passages and rinse out mucus, allergens, and irritants.
Nebulized Sodium Chloride (0.9% normal or 3%-7% hypertonic) is used to thin and loosen mucus in patients with cystic fibrosis, bronchiolitis, COPD, and other respiratory conditions.
Hypertonic ophthalmic Sodium Chloride (like Muro 128) draws excess water out of a swollen cornea, treating corneal edema.
Sterile 0.9% Sodium Chloride is the standard solution for wound cleansing and irrigation.
The route of administration depends on the formulation:
Administered by healthcare professionals in hospitals, clinics, and infusion centers. Available in concentrations of 0.45% (half-normal), 0.9% (normal), 3%, and 5% (hypertonic). Bag sizes range from 25 mL to 1,000 mL. Typical adult maintenance is 1-2 liters of 0.9% per day, but dosing is individualized based on your clinical condition.
Self-administered at home. Spray 2-3 sprays per nostril as needed for congestion or dryness. No prescription needed for most nasal formulations.
Inhaled through a nebulizer device at home or in a clinical setting. Typical dose is 4 mL of 0.9% or 3% solution, 2-4 times daily. Hypertonic formulations (3% and 7%) require a prescription.
Applied directly to the eyes. Typical dose is 1-2 drops of 5% solution every 3-4 hours, or a thin ribbon of ointment at bedtime.
Sodium Chloride 1 g tablets are swallowed with a full glass of water as directed by your doctor, typically for sodium replacement in specific deficiency states.
While Sodium Chloride is very safe for most people, it should be avoided or used with caution in certain situations:
For a complete list of side effects, read our guide on Sodium Chloride side effects. For drug interaction information, see Sodium Chloride drug interactions.
Sodium Chloride is one of the most affordable medications available, but pricing varies widely depending on the formulation and setting:
GoodRx shows prices as low as $7.68 for prescription Sodium Chloride formulations with a coupon.
This is where pricing gets complicated. A 1,000 mL bag of 0.9% Sodium Chloride costs about $5-$15 wholesale. However, hospitals may bill patients $50 to $500+ per bag due to facility fees, administration charges, and markup.
Sodium Chloride is widely covered by all insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid. IV formulations are typically covered under the medical benefit. OTC nasal sprays and eye drops are generally not covered by insurance since they don't require a prescription.
For detailed savings strategies, check out our guide on how to save money on Sodium Chloride.
Sodium Chloride is the workhorse of modern medicine — simple in composition but incredibly versatile in application. Whether you're receiving an IV bag in the hospital, nebulizing saline for a lung condition, or using nasal spray for congestion, you're using one of the most essential and well-studied medications in existence.
Key takeaways:
Need to fill a Sodium Chloride prescription? Use Medfinder to find it in stock near you.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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