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POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Aqupharm 1 (9 mg/ml) Solution for Injection/Infusion

Active ingredient: Sodium Chloride

Form

Solution

Species

Cats Cattle Dogs Goats Horses Pigs Rabbits Sheep

Manufacturer

Ecuphar NV

VMD MA No.

32742/4019

What it's used for

Treatment of metabolic alkalosis. Rehydration in disease conditions which result in excessive loss of water and sodium chloride, and during and after surge...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓
View official SPC (PDF)

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Paying less for Sodium Chloride

  1. 1

    Ask your vet for a written prescription

    They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.

  2. 2

    Fill it at a registered online retailer

    The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Aqupharm 1 (9 mg/ml) Solution for Injection/Infusion — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.

Treatment of metabolic alkalosis.
Rehydration in disease conditions which result in excessive loss of water and sodium
chloride, and during and after surgery.
Vehicle solution for the administration of other compatible drugs.
When given subcutaneously, reduced doses are recommended.
The amount of fluid and electrolytes to be administered should be calculated by
adding the existing deficits to the ongoing maintenance requirements and any
ongoing fluid losses (e.g. from ongoing vomiting, diarrhoea etc.) estimated from the
history of the animal, clinical examination and laboratory findings.
To calculate the existing fluid deficit, the following equation should be used;
Fluid deficit (mls) = Percentage dehydration x Bodyweight (kg) x 10
(e.g. for a 10 kg dog with 5 % dehydration the fluid deficit would be 5 x 10 x 10 =
500 ml)
To calculate the ongoing maintenance requirement, the following equation should be
used;
Maintenance for cattle, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs and cats (mls) = 50 ml x
Bodyweight (kg) per day
Maintenance for rabbits (mls) = 75 – 100 ml x Bodyweight (kg) per day
(e.g. for a 10 kg dog, the daily maintenance fluid requirement is 10 x 50 = 500 ml)
The administration rate should be adjusted to each animal. The objective is to correct
the deficit over 12 – 24 hours.
AN: 00280/2025 & 00281/2025
Do not use in cases of:
-
enteropathy),
-
-
-
AN: 00280/2025 & 00281/2025
None.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a
veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to
AN: 00280/2025 & 00281/2025
either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national
competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for
respective contact details.
None.

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
Maintain aseptic precautions.
Use with caution in animals with cardiac or renal impairment as sodium overload may
occur. It should be noted that sodium excretion may be impaired post-
surgery/trauma.
Use with caution in animals with hypokalaemia.
Serum electrolyte levels, water and acid-base balance and the clinical condition of
the animal should be closely monitored during the treatment in order to prevent
overdose, particularly in cases of renal or metabolic changes.
A risk of thrombosis with intravenous infusion should be considered. This veterinary
medicinal product should not be used for longer than is necessary to correct and
sustain circulating volume. Inappropriate/excessive use may worsen or create a
metabolic acidosis.
This veterinary medicinal product does not contain an antimicrobial preservative.
The solution should be warmed to approximately 37°C prior to the administration of
large volumes, or if the administration rate is high, in order to avoid hypothermia.
The volume and infusion rate must be adapted to the clinical status of each animal.
Ensure that the solution is clear and contains no visible particles and the unit is
perfectly intact. Otherwise, do not use the solution. Discard any unused portion.
Do not exceed maximum dose rate of 90ml/kg/hour. This solution does not contain
the appropriate electrolyte balance for longer term maintenance fluid administration.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals:
Not applicable.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.
It is recommended to take appropriate precautions in animals receiving
corticosteroids or corticotrophins to prevent high blood pressure and excessive fluid
retention during administration of large volumes.
Concomitant administration of colloids requires a dose reduction.
100 ml: Store below 25 °C.
250 ml, 500 ml, 1000 ml, 3000 ml, 50000 ml: This veterinary medicinal product does
not require any special storage conditions.
Meat and offal: zero days.
Milk: zero hours.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.

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