Ammonium Chloride
Dosage form: injection, solution, concentrate
Drug classes:Minerals and electrolytes, Urinary pH modifiers
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 21, 2022.
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100 mEq/20 mL (5 mEq/mL)
CONCENTRATED SOLUTION —
FOR USE ONLY AFTER DILUTION
IN SODIUM CHLORIDE INJECTION.
DESCRIPTION
Ammonium Chloride Injection, USP, 100 mEq, is a sterile, nonpyrogenic solution of Ammonium Chloride (NH4Cl) in water for injection administered (after dilution) by the intravenous route. Each mL contains 267.5 mg of Ammonium Chloride 5 mEq of ammonium and 5 mEq of chloride) and edetate disodium (anhydrous) 2 mg added as a stabilizer. pH 4.4 (4.0 to 6.0). May contain hydrochloric acid for pH adjustment. 10 mOsmol/mL (calc.). It is intended to be used only after dilution in a larger volume of isotonic (0.9%) sodium chloride injection.
The solution contains no bacteriostat, antimicrobial agent or added buffer (except for pH adjustment) and is intended only for dilution as a single-dose additive. When smaller doses are required the unused portion should be discarded with the entire additive unit.
Ammonium Chloride Injection, USP is an electrolyte replenisher and systemic acidifier.
Ammonium Chloride, USP is chemically designated NH4Cl, colorless crystals or white granular powder freely soluble in water.
The semi-rigid vial is fabricated from a specially formulated polyolefin. It is a copolymer of ethylene and propylene. The safety of the plastic has been confirmed by tests in animals according to USP biological standards for plastic containers. The container requires no vapor barrier to maintain the proper drug concentration.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
The ammonium ion (NH4+) in the body plays an important role in the maintenance of acid-base balance. The kidney uses ammonium (NH4+) in place of sodium (Na+) to combine with fixed anions in maintaining acid-base balance, especially as a homeostatic compensatory mechanism in metabolic acidosis.
When a loss of hydrogen ions (H+) occurs and serum chloride (Cl–).
