Drug Induced Hypernatraemia

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Listed below are some drugs that may cause hypernatraemia (serum sodium concentration above 145 mmol/L)

• Diuretics e.g. the osmotic diuretic mannitol, loop diuretics, thiazide diuretics
• Sodium bicarbonate
• Sodium chloride
• Corticosteroids
• Anabolic steroids
• Adrenocorticotrophic steroids
• Androgens
• Oestrogens
• Lithium citrate (in overdose)¹
• Lithium carbonate (in overdose)²
• Tolvaptan
• Povidone-iodine: application of povidone-iodine to large wounds or severe burns may produce systemic adverse effects such as metabolic acidosis, hypernatraemia and impairment of renal function³
• Foscarnet⁴
• Intravenous antibiotics because of the sodium content (e.g. fosfomycin has a high content of sodium⁵)

References

1. 1. Rosemont Pharmaceuticals Limited. Li-Liquid 1018 mg/5ml Oral Syrup – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6680/smpc [Accessed on 05/10/2023].
2. Essential Pharma Ltd. Camcolit 400 mg, controlled release Lithium Carbonate – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/10829/smpc [Accessed on 05/10/2023].
3. Haleon UK Trading Limited. Savlon Dry – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6331/smpc [Accessed on 05/10/2023].
4. Tillomed Laboratories Ltd. Foscarnet sodium Tillomed 24 mg/ml solution for infusion – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13898/smpc [Accessed on 05/10/2023].
5. Infectopharm. Fomicyt 40 mg/ml powder for solution for infusion – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://mhraproducts4853.blob.core.windows.net/docs/876a75bc461af7c4642eeea8305d210dc242e95d [Accessed on 05/10/2023].