[Electrolytes content in parenteral drugs authorised in Spain]

Fluid therapy is one of the most common daily practices although knowledge is necessary on electrolytes and fluids intake and on all the pathophysiologic states leading to fluid homeostasis impairment in order to properly handle the electrolytes for both fluid therapy and parenteral nutrition.

To know the content and electrolyte type in those drugs administered through the parenteral route commercialized and authorized in Spain until February of 2012.

Review of the technical sheets of all the drugs commercialized in Spain for usage through the parenteral route. Those drugs with content lower than 1 miliequivalent or 1 millimol per commercial presentation were excluded.

Of the 1,800 active ingredients studied, only 211 had a commercial presentation for parenteral route. Of these, 52 active ingredients met the study inclusion criteria and most of them (51; 98.07%) had sodium content higher than 1 miliequivalent per commercial presentation, potassium was present in 3 and calcium in only 1.

Most of the medications studied contained sodium as the main electrolyte; impairments in sodium concentration are one of the most common problems at the hospital setting and in some cases an indicator of quality of health care delivery. Therefore, it would be necessary to take into account the intake received through the medications prescribed to improve electrolyte reposition in both fluid therapy and parenteral nutrition.