What is normal saline?

Normal saline is the name for the 0.9% strength of sodium chloride (salt) solution in water. Only this strength of sodium chloride solution is called "normal" saline because its osmolarity is nearly the same as that of blood. The term "normal saline" is usually used only for the sodium chloride 0.9% solution products used for body tissue irrigation and injection. Normal saline is very commonly used in the hospital and clinic setting to administer fluids to a patient intravenously (IV), to dilute injectable medications for IV administration, to irrigate (wash out) wounds or organ tissue. Normal saline for irrigation is available by prescription for wound care at home. Normal saline for injection is usually not used outside of a hospital or clinic setting.