Indications
Lactated Ringer's Injection is indicated as a source of water and electrolytes or as an alkalinizing agent.
Side effects:
Allergic reactions or anaphylactoid symptoms such as localized or generalized urticaria and pruritis; periorbital, facial, and/or laryngeal edema; coughing, sneezing, and/or difficulty with breathing have been reported during administration of Lactated Ringer's Injection. The reporting frequency of these signs and symptoms is higher in women during pregnancy.
Reactions which may occur because of the solution or the technique of administration include febrile response, infection at the site of injection, venous thrombosis or phlebitis extending from the site of infection, extravasation, and hypervolemia.
If an adverse reaction does occur, discontinue the infusion, evaluate the patient, institute appropriate therapeutic countermeasures, and save the remainder of the fluid for examination if deemed necessary.
Precautions:
GeneralDo not connect flexible plastic containers of intravenous solutions in series, i.e., do not piggyback connections. Such use could result in air embolism due to residual air being drawn from one container before administration of the fluid from a secondary container is completed.
Pressurizing intravenous solutions contained in flexible plastic containers to increase flow rates can result in air embolism if the residual air in the container is not fully evacuated prior to administration.
Use of a vented intravenous administration set with the vent in the open position could result in air embolism. Vented intravenous administration sets with the vent in the open position should not be used with flexible plastic containers.
Lactated Ringer's Injections, USP must be used with caution. Excess administration may result in metabolic alkalosis.
Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects
Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Lactated Ringer's Injection. It is also not known whether Lactated Ringer's Injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Lactated Ringer's Injection should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Lactated Ringer's Injection is administered to a nursing woman.