Parenteral electrolyte/mineral combination (Injection)

Introduction:

Provides your body with needed minerals when you are severely dehydrated or cannot eat food by mouth. You also may need this medicine if you have serious medical problems such as AIDS, cancer, or serious burns.

Brand Name(s):

Hyperlite, Hyperlite R, Nutrilyte II, Lypholyte-II, TPN Electrolytes, Plasma-Lyte A pH-7.4, Plasma-Lyte 148, Isolyte S pH 7.4, Nutrilyte, Lypholyte

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• A nurse or other trained health professional 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 all instructions for preparing and giving this medicine.

If a dose is missed:

• This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

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• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.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 away from children and 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 mineral supplements or electrolytes (including GoLYTELY®, Pedialyte®, Gatorade®) 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 ever had high levels of potassium or calcium in your blood. These conditions are also known as hyperkalemia or hypercalcemia.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have diabetes, blood clotting problems, or medical problems with your pancreas, liver, or kidney. Tell your doctor if you have heart disease or if you are on a salt-restricted diet.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to 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: