Comments for Consumers
This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.
Australian Prescriber is unable to comment on individual cases or give second opinions.
Australian Prescriber Vol. 26 No. 5 2003
Lack of sodium
Sodium is an important salt in the blood. Too much or too little sodium can make people sick. Hyponatraemia is the medical word for a reduced amount of sodium in the blood.
People with low sodium can become confused or have fits, however in most cases there are no symptoms.
There are several causes of hyponatraemia. Many cases are a side effect of a medicine the patient is taking. Medicines for depression, epilepsy, blood pressure and heart failure can all reduce sodium. If the sodium is very low a change of medicine may be needed.
