Last update July 10, 2017

Ammonium Chloride

Low Risk

Possibly safe. Probably compatible. Mild risk possible. Follow up recommended. Read the Comment.

Used in intravenous administration as an acidifier in severe metabolic alkalosis. It is also used orally to acidify urine and as a diuretic and as an expectorant because of its irritant properties on the respiratory mucosa.
Oral and general use of this drug has fallen into disuse because of its poor efficacy and irritant properties on the gastric mucosa.

Since the last update we have not found published data on its excretion in breast milk.

After being absorbed in the intestine, it is rapidly metabolized in the liver as urea.

The small amounts of ammonium in cough mixtures will hardly affect breastfeeding or the infant.
It is advisable to avoid it due to its inefficacy or to use it moderately during breastfeeding.

It has multiple industrial uses: fertilizers, explosives, metallurgy (soldered, galvanized and welded), batteries, detergents, etc. Exposure limits in these TLV industries (such as TWA) should be maintained: 10 mg / m³ and TLV (as STEL): 20 mg / m³. Ammonium chloride has no R-phrases or specific recommendations for breastfeeding.

It is also used in the food industry as an emulsifying and flavoring additive (E510); to be avoided.

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Ammonium Chloride.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Ammonium Chloride is also known as


Ammonium Chloride in other languages or writings:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Ammonium Chloride in its composition:

  • Pidrol™. Contains other elements than Ammonium Chloride in its composition
  • Quelidrine™. Contains other elements than Ammonium Chloride in its composition

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Molecular weight 54 daltons

References

  1. INSHT - Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo. Límites de exposición profesional para agentes químicos en España. 2017 Full text (in our servers)
  2. Acofarma. Cloruro amónico. Ficha técnica. 2005 Full text (in our servers)
  3. IPCS. Cloruro amónico. Ficha internacional de Seguridad Química. 2005 Full text (in our servers)

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