Health Library

Parenteral solutions (By injection)

Provides your body with nutrients such as protein, sugar, vitamins, minerals, and sometimes fat (lipids). Parenteral solution is needed when you cannot eat food by mouth or if you cannot get enough nutrition from your diet for several days. You may need parenteral solution if you have serious medical problems such as AIDS, cancer, or serious burns.

Brand Name(s):

Ionosol Mb/5% Dextrose, Kabiven, Normosol-M w/5% Dextrose, Perikabiven, R-Gene 10, Remodulin Sterile Diluent, SmartRx MLD Kit, Sterile Diluent for Treprostinil, pH 12 Sterile Diluent for Flolan, triCitrasol

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• If you receive this medicine at home, a caregiver will teach you, a family member, or friend how to give the medicine. You may need to add vitamins or medicine to the solution before using it. Your caregiver will show you how to do this.
• Do not use this medicine if the solution (liquid) looks cloudy or has solid pieces floating in it. Do not use the medicine if it is separated like oil and water, or is leaking from the bag. Carefully follow any instructions for mixing, preparing, and giving this medicine.

If a dose is missed:

• You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• If you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Remove the medicine from the refrigerator at least 2 hours before using it. This will bring the solution to room temperature and make the injection more comfortable for you. Do not heat the medicine in a microwave oven.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets. Follow any special instructions about how to throw away empty medicine bottles, tubes, or bags.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use any other vitamins or mineral supplements without asking your doctor first.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Your nutritional needs may be higher than normal.
• Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, blood clotting problems, or high cholesterol. Also tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to vitamins, eggs, oils, or peanuts.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have medical problems with your pancreas, liver, or kidney, or if you have heart disease.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Confusion and weakness with muscle twitching.
• Confusion and weakness with uneven heartbeat and shortness of breath.
• Numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips.
• Pale, hot, dry skin with fruit-like breath odor, fainting, and shortness of breath.
• Rapid weight gain.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Yellow skin or eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Blurred vision, drowsiness, dry mouth, increased thirst.
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting.
• Increase in how much or how often you urinate.
• Pain, redness, swelling, or cold feeling where the needle is placed.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024