Table 1.
Sodium Content of Intravenous Antibiotic Preparations
| Antibiotic | Usual Dose (mg) | Available Diluents | Intrinsic Sodium Content in RTU (mg) | Intrinsic Sodium per Vial (or in D5W) (mg)a | Total Sodium Content in 50 mL NS (mg)b | Total Sodium Content in 100 mL NS (mg)b | Total Sodium Content (mg) in Other Volume of NS | Total Sodium (mg) per Day of Therapy (No. of Doses)c,d |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| β-Lactams | ||||||||
| Penicillin G Potassium | 4 MU | RTU, D5W, NS | 94 | 27.2 | 213.3 | 390.3 | - | 2340 (6) |
| Penicillin G Sodium | 4 MU | D5W, NS | - | 154.6 | 340.1 | 517.1 | - | 3100 (6) |
| Ampicillin | 2000 | NS | - | 131.6 | - | 485.6 | - | 2910 (6) |
| Ampicillin-sulbactam | 1500 | NS | - | 115 | 292 | 469 | - | 1880 (4) |
| 3000 | NS | - | 230 | - | 584 | - | 2340 (4) | |
| Oxacillin | 2000 | RTU, D5W, NS | 184.8 | 128 | 375.8 | 552.8 | - | 3320 (6) |
| Nafcillin | 2000 | RTU, D5W, NS | 153.2 | 132.2 | 415.4 | 592.4 | - | 3550 (6) |
| Piperacillin-tazobactam | 3375 | RTU, D5W, NS | 195 | 162 | 392.1 | 569.1 | - | 2280 (4) |
| 4500 | RTU, D5W, NS | 260 | 216 | 463.8 | 640.8 | - | 2560 (4) | |
| Cefazolin | 1000 | RTU, D5W, NS | 48 | 48 | 225 | 402 | - | 1200 (3) |
| 2000 | RTU, D5W, NS | 96 | 96 | - | 450 | - | 1350 (3) | |
| Ceftriaxone | 1000 | RTU, D5W, NS | 83 | 83 | 294 | 471 | - | 470 (1) |
| 2000 | RTU, D5W, NS | 166 | 166 | 410.9 | 587.9 | - | 1180 (2) | |
| Ceftazidime | 1000 | RTU, D5W, NS | 54 | 54 | 231 | 408 | - | 1220 (3) |
| 2000 | RTU, D5W, NS | 108 | 108 | 285 | 462 | - | 1390 (3) | |
| Cefepime | 1000 | RTU, D5W, NS | 0 | 0 | 212.4 | 389.4 | - | 1170 (3) |
| 2000 | RTU, D5W, NS | 0 | 0 | 212.4 | 389.4 | - | 1170 (3) | |
| Aztreonam | 2000 | RTU, D5W, NS | 0 | 0 | - | 354 | - | 1060 (3) |
| Ertapenem | 1000 | NS | - | 137 | 349.4 | 526.4 | - | 530 (1) |
| Meropenem | 1000 | RTU, NS | 290.2 | 90.2 | 267.2 | 444.2 | - | 1330 (3) |
| 2000 | NS | - | 180.4 | - | 534.4 | - | 1600 (3) | |
| Imipenem | 500 | D5W, NS | - | 37.5 | - | 426.9 | - | 1710 (4) |
| Fluoroquinolones/Macrolides | ||||||||
| Ciprofloxacin | 400 | RTU | 0 | - | - | - | - | 0 (2) |
| Levofloxacin | 500 | RTU, D5W, NS | 0 | 0 | - | - | 283 (80 mL) | 280 (1) |
| Azithromycin | 500 | D5W, NS | - | 114 | - | - | 999 (250 mL) | 1000 (1) |
| Anti-MRSA Agents | ||||||||
| Vancomycin | 1000 | RTU, D5W, NS | 708 | 0 | - | - | 885 (250 mL) | 3540 (4) |
| 2000 | D5W, NS | - | 0 | - | - | 1770 (500 mL) | 3540 (2) | |
| Daptomycin | 500 | NS | - | 0 | 212.4 | 389.4 | - | 390 (1) |
| Linezolid | 600 | RTU | 114; 1196e | - | - | - | 1196 (300 mL) | 2390 (2) |
| Ceftaroline | 600 | D5W, NS | - | 0 | 247.8 | 424.8 | - | 1270 (3) |
| Doxycycline | 100 | D5W, NS | - | 0 | - | 389.4 | - | 780 (2) |
| Clindamycin | 600 | RTU, D5W, NS | 0 | 0 | 177 | 354 | - | 1420 (4) |
| 900 | RTU, D5W, NS | 0 | 0 | 177 | 354 | - | 1060 (3) | |
| Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim | 1875-375f | D5W | - | 0i | - | - | - | 0g (4) |
| Miscellaneous | ||||||||
| Metronidazole | 500 | RTU | 326 | - | - | - | - | 1300 (4) |
Abbreviations: D5W, dextrose 5% in water; MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; MU, million units; NS, normal saline (0.9% NaCl); RTU, ready-to-use.
aValues derived from injectable single-dose vial supply; sodium content may vary slightly between manufacturers.
bIntrinsic sodium content of antibiotic plus sodium content in NS; 177 mg sodium per 50 mL NS; 354 mg sodium per 100 mL NS; if NS is a recommended solvent for reconstitution per manufacturer, sodium content from the solvent is also included.
cAssumes drug preparation in 100 mL NS or other volume of NS/available diluent with appropriate drug concentration per manufacturer; values are rounded to the nearest 10 mg.
dTotal sodium content per day of therapy considers maximum number of daily doses seen in clinical practice.
eRTU formulations available in both NS (1196 mg sodium) and D5W (114 mg sodium).
fDose based on 5 mg/kg trimethoprim component; weight of 75 kg.
gSodium content from excipients negligible.