Joint Formulary & PAD

Sodium chloride - Humidification of upper and lower airways

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Status 1

Blue
Formulations :
  • Inhalation
  • Nebules
Formulary Status :
Primary Care
ASPH
RSFT
SASH
SABP
Associated Icons :
Restrictions / Comments :
Important

Sodium chloride 0.9% inhalation solution 2.5ml vials.

(not to be prescribed as the more expensive 2.5ml nebuliser liquid if being used for humidification of airways)

Prescribe by BRAND. OptimiseRx will be used to inform Primary Care prescribers of the locally preferred, cost effective brand (currently PulmoClear). Initiation by the specialist team prior to any request for primary care prescribing. See further guidance on home nebulisers

 

Status 2

Blue
Formulations :
  • Inhalation
  • Nebules
Formulary Status :
Primary Care
ASPH
RSFT
SASH
SABP
Associated Icons :
Restrictions / Comments :
Important

3% hypertonic sodium chloride - for use when high-dose sodium chloride nebulisation is indicated.

Prescribe by BRAND. OptimiseRx will be used to inform Primary Care prescribers of the locally preferred, cost effective brand (currently PulmoClear). Initiation by the specialist team prior to any request for primary care prescribing. See further guidance on home nebulisers

 

Status 3

Blue
Formulations :
  • Inhalation
  • Nebules
Formulary Status :
Primary Care
ASPH
RSFT
SASH
SABP
Associated Icons :
Restrictions / Comments :
Important

6% hypertonic sodium chloride - for use when high-dose sodium chloride nebulisation is indicated.

Prescribe by BRAND. OptimiseRx will be used to inform Primary Care prescribers of the locally preferred, cost effective brand (currently PulmoClear). Initiation by the specialist team prior to any request for primary care prescribing. See further guidance on home nebulisers

 

Status 4

Blue
Formulations :
  • Inhalation
  • Nebules
Formulary Status :
Primary Care
ASPH
RSFT
SASH
SABP
Associated Icons :
Restrictions / Comments :
Important

7% hypertonic sodium chloride - for use when high-dose sodium chloride nebulisation is indicated.

Prescribe by BRAND. OptimiseRx will be used to inform Primary Care prescribers of the locally preferred, cost effective brand (currently PulmoClear). Initiation by the specialist team prior to any request for primary care prescribing. See further guidance on home nebulisers

Documentation

Information
Sodium chloride nebules SBAR APC paper Mar 2026.pdf

PAD Profile

ChemicalSubstance :
Sodium chloride
Indication :
Humidification of upper and lower airways
Group Name :
Keywords :
nebulised saline, hypertonic saline, sodium chloride inhalation solutions, mobilisation of respiratory secretions
Brand Names Include :
PulmoClear
Important Information :
Latest Additions Date From :
Latest Additions Date To :
Guidelines :
Supporting Documents :
1
Traffic Light Entries :
4

Committee Recommendations (2)

04 Mar 26 - Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System Area Prescribing Committee (APC)

The Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System Area Prescribing Committee has agreed the following for Sodium Chloride 0.9% nebules as follows:

Sodium chloride 0.9% inhalation solution 2.5ml vials

·         BLUE (with specialist team initiation) licensed for humidification of the upper and lower airways as nebulised therapy

·         Medical device - to prescribe by brand. 

·         The most cost-effective brand is PulmoClear 0.9% inhalation solution

Sodium chloride 3%, 6% and 7% inhalation solutions

·         BLUE (with specialist team initiation) for mobilisation of lower respiratory tract secretions as nebulised therapy

·         Medical device - to prescribe by brand. 

·         The most cost-effective brand is PulmoClear 3%, 6% or 7% inhalation solution

 

Sodium chloride 0.9% nebuliser liquid 2.5ml unit dose ampoules

·         BLUE (with specialist team initiation) for dilution of solutions for nebulisation - NOT a cost-effective treatment for airways humidification. See above.

06 Nov 24 - Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System Area Prescribing Committee (APC)

The Surrey Heartlands Area Prescribing Committee agreed the traffic light status of this drug and indication as part of the Joint Formulary review.

Other Indications

Below are listed other indications that Sodium chloride is used to treat.

Other Drugs

Below are listed other drugs that are used to treat Humidification of upper and lower airways.

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