LACTATED RINGERS (Page 2 of 3)

PRECAUTIONS:

Do not connect flexible plastic containers in series in order to avoid air embolism due to possible residual air contained in the primary container.

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 Injection should be administered with particular caution, if at all, to patients with conditions associated with increased lactate levels or impaired lactate utilization, such as severe hepatic insufficiency.

Hyperlactatemia can develop in patients with severe hepatic insufficiency, since lactate metabolism may be impaired. In addition, Lactated Ringer’s Injection may not produce its alkalinizing action in patients with severe hepatic insufficiency, since lactate metabolism may be impaired.

Solutions containing calcium salts should be used with caution in patients with hypercalcemia or conditions predisposing to hypercalcemia, such as patients with severe renal impairment and granulomatous diseases associated with increased calcitriol synthesis such as sarcoidosis, calcium renal calculi or history of such calculi.

Lactate is a substrate for gluconeogenesis. This should be taken into account when Lactated Ringer’s Injection is used in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness of Lactated Ringer’s Injection in pediatric patients have not been established by adequate and well controlled trials, however, the use of electrolyte solutions in the pediatric population is referenced in the medical literature. The warnings, precautions and adverse reactions identified in the label copy should be observed in the pediatric population.

Lactate-containing solutions should be administered with particular caution to neonates and infants less than 6 months of age.

Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of Lactated Ringer’s Injection did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

Drug Interactions

Ceftriaxone (see CONTRAINDICATIONS).

Caution is advised when administering Lactated Ringer’s Injection to patients treated with drugs that may increase the risk of sodium and fluid retention, such as corticosteroids.

Caution is advised when administering Lactated Ringer’s Injection to patients treated with drugs for which renal elimination is pH dependent. Due to the alkalinizing action of lactate (formation of bicarbonate), Lactated Ringer’s Injection may interfere with the elimination of such drugs.

  • Renal clearance of acidic drugs such as salicylates and barbiturates may be increased.
  • Renal clearance of alkaline drugs, such as sympathomimetics (e.g., ephedrine, pseudoephedrine) and dextroamphetamine (dexamphetamine) sulfate, may be decreased.

Renal clearance of lithium may also be increased. Caution is advised when administering Lactated Ringer’s Injection to patients treated with lithium.

Because of its potassium content, Lactated Ringer’s Injection should be administered with caution in patients treated with agents or products that can cause hyperkalemia or increase risk of hyperkalemia, such as potassium sparing diuretics (amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene), with ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, or the immunosuppressants tacrolimus and cyclosporine.

Caution is advised when administering Lactated Ringer’s Injection to patients treated with thiazide diuretics or vitamin D, as these can increase the risk of hypercalcemia.

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.

For Hypersensitivity Reactions During Pregnancy (see WARNINGS).

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Long-term studies in animals to evaluate carcinogenic potential or studies to evaluate mutagenic potential have not been performed with Lactated Ringer’s Injection. Studies to evaluate the possible impairment of fertility have not been performed.

Labor and Delivery

Studies have not been conducted to evaluate the effects of Lactated Ringer’s Injection on labor and delivery. Caution should be exercised when administering this drug during labor and delivery.

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 mother.

ADVERSE REACTIONS:

Post-Marketing Adverse Reactions

The following adverse reactions have been reported in the post-marketing experience, listed by MedDRA System Organ Class (SOC).

Immune System Disorders

Hypersensitivity/infusion reactions, including anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, and the following manifestations: angioedema, chest pain, chest discomfort, decreased heart rate, tachycardia, blood pressure decreased, respiratory distress, bronchospasm, dyspnea, cough, urticaria, rash, pruritus, erythema, flushing, throat irritation, paresthesia, hypoesthesia oral, dysgeusia, nausea, anxiety, pyrexia, headache.

Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders

Hyperkalemia.

General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions

Infusion site reactions, including phlebitis, infusion site inflammation, infusion site swelling, infusion site rash, infusion site pruritus, infusion site erythema, infusion site pain, infusion site burning.

Class Reactions

Hypersensitivity reactions, including, laryngeal edema and sneezing

Hypervolemia

Infusion site reactions, including infection at the site of injection, extravasation, and infusion site anesthesia (numbness)

Overdose

An excessive volume or too high a rate of administration of Lactated Ringer’s Injection may lead to fluid and sodium overload with a risk of edema (peripheral and/or pulmonary), particularly when renal sodium excretion is impaired.

Excessive administration of lactate may lead to metabolic alkalosis. Metabolic alkalosis may be accompanied by hypokalemia.

Excessive administration of potassium may lead to the development of hyperkalemia, especially in patients with severe renal impairment.

Excessive administration of calcium salts may lead to hypercalcemia.

When assessing an overdose, any additives in the solution must also be considered.

The effects of an overdose may require immediate medical attention and treatment.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC at 1-800-551-7176 or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION:

As directed by a physician. Dosage, rate and duration of administration are to be individualized and dependent upon the indication for use, the patient’s age, weight, concomitant treatment and clinical condition of the patient as well as laboratory determinations.

All injections in flexible plastic containers are intended for intravenous administration using sterile and nonpyrogenic equipment.

After opening the container, the contents should be used immediately and should not be stored for a subsequent infusion. Do not reconnect any partially used containers.

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit. Do not administer unless the solution is clear and seal is intact.

When making additions to Lactated Ringer’s Injection, aseptic technique must be used. Mix the solution thoroughly when additives have been introduced. Do not store solutions containing additives.

Additives may be incompatible with Lactated Ringer’s Injection. As with all parenteral solutions, compatibility of the additives with the solution must be assessed before addition, by checking for a possible color change and/or the appearance of precipitates, insoluble complexes, or crystals. Before adding a substance or medication, verify that it is soluble and/or stable in water and that the pH range of Lactated Ringer’s Injection is appropriate.

The instructions for use of the medication to be added and other relevant literature must be consulted. Additives known or determined to be incompatible should not be used.

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