Saline are osmoticlaxatives that work by drawing fluids into the bowel from surrounding tissue,thus softening stools and assist in easy fecal discharge. Saline are largelyused for swift emptying of bowels to prepare for examination or surgery,eliminating drugs and food during poisoning or overdose and obtaining freshstool sample for testing.
Intravenous saline is usedto treat significantly low blood volume, which can be a problem for some peoplewith POTS.
Of about 20 productsmarketed under the IV fluid category in the country, only four have a majorshare in the total market size of these particular preparations. It isestimated that 70 per cent of the total IV product range comes from Dextrose5%, Dextrose with normal saline, normal saline and ringer lactate. All theseare available in glass as well as plastic containers.