Emergency Medical Items Catalogue 2002

Infusion drugs
Most medicines listed below are described in the guide “Essential Drugs”, MSF. In this guide, further
information and advice is given concerning appropriate use, indication, dosages, side effects etc.

Code Description Ind. price Ship. weight Ship. Vol.

DINFDEXT5PS1 DEXTROSE, 5%, 1L, plastic pouch,
+ INF. SET
DINFDEXT5PS5 DEXTROSE, 5%, 500ml, plastic pouch,
+ INF. SET

Intravenous isotonic solution

In the WHO “Essential Medicines” list 2002.
Mainly used as vehicle for the administration of other drugs (antibiotics, quinine, etc.).
The plastic bags are preferable to the bottles, which are often less strong, for logistical reasons.
Infusions should be packed in the same boxes as the tubing to prevent infusions arriving without
tubing, or tubing without infusions.
Storage: Temperature below 30°C.
(In Guide “Essential Drugs”, MSF).

Code Description Ind. price Ship. weight Ship. Vol.

DINFMANN2B5 MANNITOL, 20%, 500ml, btl.

Intravenous osmotic diuretic solution

In the WHO “Essential Medicines” list 2002.
Used to preserve renal function in acute renal failure and to reduce raised intracranial pressure and
treat cerebral oedema.
As the solution is supersaturated it may crystallise during storage, particularly at low temperature. The
administration set should include a filter.
Storage: Temperature between 20°C and 30°C.

Code Description Ind. Price Ship. Weight Ship. Vol.

DINFMETN5P1 METRONIDAZOLE, 5mg/ml, 100ml,
plastic pouch

Intravenous antibacterial, antaparasitic solution

In the WHO “Essential Medicines” list 2002.
Should be strictly limited to hospital use. The antibacterial spectrum of metronidazole is limited to
anaerobic germs only.
Switch to oral administration as soon as possible.
Storage: No special precautions as regards temperature.
Particularly sensitive to light.
(In Guide “Essential Drugs”, MSF).

Drugs 37
 Emergency Medical Items Catalogue 2002

Code Description Ind. price Ship. weight Ship. Vol.

DINFPLSU1BS5 PLASMA SUBSTITUTE, Gelatin,
500ml, plastic btl., + INF. SET

Intravenous plasma expander

In the WHO “Essential Medicines” list 2002.
Infusion bottles should be supplied with tubing.
Macromolecular solution used in case of hypovolaemia.
Composition varies with manufacturer (Polygenine, modified fluid gelatine, etc.).
(In Guide “Essential Drugs”, MSF).

Code Description Ind. Price Ship. Weight Ship. Vol.

DINFRINL1PS1 RINGER LACTATE, 1L, plast. pouch,
+ INF. SET
DINFRINL1PS5 RINGER LACTATE, 500ml, plast.
pouch, + INF. SET

Intravenous isotonic solution with lactate (=Hartmann’s solution)

In the WHO “Essential Medicines” list 2002.
Most suitable for treating dehydration, since it provides suitable quantities of electrolytes, enough for
relatively long use.
The plastic bags are preferable to the plastic bottles, which are often less strong, for logistical reasons.
Infusions should be packed in the same boxes as the tubing to prevent infusions arriving without
tubing, or tubing without infusions.
Ringer lactate contains lactate which is converted to bicarbonate for correction of metabolic acidosis.
WARNING: in some countries Ringer solution without lactate is provided against orders for Ringer or
Ringer lactate. To avoid any misunderstanding call Ringer lactate: Hartmann’s solution.
Storage: Temperature below 30°C.
(In Guide “Essential Drugs”, MSF).

Code Description Ind. price Ship. weight Ship. Vol.

DINFSODC9B1 SODIUM CHLORIDE, 0.9%, 1L, plastic
btl.
DINFSODC9B5 SODIUM CHLORIDE, 0.9%, 500ml,
plastic btl.
DINFSODC9PS1 SODIUM CHLORIDE, 0.9%, 1L, plastic
pouch, + INF. SET
DINFSODC9PS5 SODIUM CHLORIDE, 0.9%, 500ml,
plastic pouch, + INF. SET

Intravenous isotonic solution

In the WHO “Essential Medicines” list 2002.
Used as vehicle for the administration of other drugs and for correction of hypovolaemia.
Infusions should be packed in the same boxes as the tubing to prevent infusions arriving without
tubing, or tubing without infusions.
Also used for surgical washes. In that case prefer plastic bottles to plastic bags.
Storage: Temperature below 30°C.
(In Guide “Essential Drugs”, MSF).

38 Drugs