Lactated Ringer's

Also called LR, Ringer's lactate

A balanced IV fluid with sodium, potassium, calcium and lactate, closer to the electrolyte mix of blood than plain saline.

What it is

Lactated Ringer's is a sterile solution of sodium chloride, sodium lactate, potassium chloride and calcium chloride in water. Per liter it holds about 130 mEq of sodium, 109 of chloride, 4 of potassium, 2.7 of calcium and 28 of lactate, at about 273 mOsm/L.

The lactate is not the lactic acid of a hard workout. Your liver converts it to bicarbonate, the body's own buffer, which is one reason LR is called a balanced solution. It has been used in hospitals since the 1930s and is an FDA-approved prescription product.

Under our protocol it is the preferred base after heavy exertion. The Recovery and The Recovery Package run on lactated Ringer's, and it is one of the three bases in build your own.

What it is used for

Restoring fluid volume (hydration)
Replacing electrolytes along with water
Our preferred base after athletic or heavy exertion

How we give it

In the same 500 mL or 1,000 mL bags as saline, at the same rates: 500 mL over 30 to 45 minutes, 1,000 mL over 60 to 90 minutes, adjusted to how you feel.

Vitamins and minerals are added the same way as with saline, two at most per bag.

Good to know

Is lactated Ringer's better than saline?

Neither is better across the board. LR is closer to blood in its mix of electrolytes; saline is simpler and is what most of our drips are built on. Each drip on our menu uses the base its formula calls for, and in build your own you choose.

How is it different from Plasma-Lyte A?

Both are balanced fluids. Plasma-Lyte A has magnesium and no calcium, and uses acetate and gluconate as buffers instead of lactate. As a base it costs a flat $20 more.

Also in IV fluids

Normal Saline

Sterile salt water at about the same concentration as your blood. The base of most of our drips.

Plasma-Lyte A

A balanced IV fluid with sodium, potassium and magnesium at the pH of blood. Any drip can run on it, on request, for a flat $20 more.

Extra Liter of Fluid

A second 1 L bag of the same fluid as your drip, added to any IV visit.