Lactated Ringer's Solution - Overview

Overview

One litre of lactated Ringer's solution contains:

• 130 mEq of sodium ion = 130 mmol/L
• 109 mEq of chloride ion = 109 mmol/L
• 28 mEq of lactate = 28 mmol/L
• 4 mEq of potassium ion = 4 mmol/L
• 3 mEq of calcium ion = 1.5 mmol/L

Lactated Ringers has an osmolarity of 273 mOsm/L The lactate is metabolized into bicarbonate by the liver, which can help correct metabolic acidosis.

Generally, the sodium, chloride, potassium and lactate come from NaCl (sodium chloride), NaC₃H₅O₃ (sodium lactate), CaCl₂ (calcium chloride), and KCl (potassium chloride).

There are slight variations for the composition for Ringer's as supplied by different manufacturers. As such, the term Ringer's lactate should not be equated with one precise formulation.

Although its pH is 6.5, it is an alkalizing solution.