Sodium Correction Rate Calculator

Your details

Patient type determines the total body water fraction used in the Adrogue-Madias formula.
Actual body weight in kilograms. Use dry or pre-illness weight if clinically appropriate.
kg
The patient's measured serum sodium concentration in mEq/L (same as mmol/L).
mEq/L
The goal sodium level after correction. Set it above the current sodium to raise it (hyponatremia) or below it to lower it (hypernatremia) - this sets the direction of the calculation. Typical safe target is 125-130 mEq/L for hyponatremia; 140-145 mEq/L is normal.
mEq/L
Safe rate for chronic hyponatremia is 0.5 mEq/L/h (max 8 mEq/L/day). For seizure or severe symptoms, up to 1-2 mEq/L/h for the first 1-2 hours is acceptable.
mEq/L/h
The IV fluid to be infused. Sodium content determines the direction and magnitude of correction.
How many hours to project the correction over. Used to calculate total volume and check safety limits.
hours
Infusion rateBorderline rate
632.4mL/h

IV flow rate required to achieve the target correction rate

Na change per litre of fluid0.79mEq/L per L
Total volume over duration15,176mL
Total Na correction12mEq/L
Total body water (TBW)42L
Safety checkCaution: the projected rate of 12.0 mEq/L/day exceeds the conservative 8 mEq/L/day limit for chronic dysnatremia. Reserve this rate for actively seizing or severely symptomatic patients under ICU monitoring. At this rate the target of 130 mEq/L is reached in 20.0 h, before the 24 h period ends - stop or slow the infusion at that point.
12 mEq/L
Safe (< 8/day)<8Caution (8-12/day)8-12Danger (> 12/day)12+

632.4 mL/h of 0.9% Normal Saline (NS) for hyponatremia correction.

  • Infuse 0.9% Normal Saline (NS) at 632.4 mL/h to raise serum sodium at the target rate.
  • Each litre of 0.9% Normal Saline (NS) changes serum sodium by +0.79 mEq/L based on this patient's total body water.
  • Over 24 hours, a total of 15176 mL will be required, bringing the projected correction to +12.0 mEq/L (target 130 mEq/L).
  • Recheck serum sodium every 2-4 hours and adjust rate to stay within 8 mEq/L in any 24-hour window (chronic cases).

Next stepThis calculation is a starting estimate. Ongoing losses, other IV fluids, oral intake, and renal handling all affect actual sodium trajectory. Repeat labs frequently and adjust accordingly.

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