Gastric Lavage
Gastric lavage, commonly known as stomach pumping, is a medical procedure rather than a drug. It involves the passage of a tube (nasogastric or orogastric) into the stomach to administer and sequentially aspirate fluid (typically warm normal saline or water). This process physically removes unabsorbed toxins or pill fragments from the stomach. Due to risks of aspiration pneumonia, esophageal perforation, and fluid/electrolyte imbalances, it is reserved for severe, life-threatening toxic ingestions where no alternative therapy is effective or available.
Dosage by Body Weight
This is an emergency medical procedure performed exclusively by trained healthcare professionals in a clinical setting. Standard liquid volume for instillation is 200-300 mL per cycle for adults, and 10-15 mL/kg (maximum 100 mL) per cycle for pediatric patients, using warm normal saline (38°C) to prevent hypothermia. The process is repeated until the returned fluid is completely clear.
- Body Weight
- Below 5 kg
- Dose
- 10 mL/kg of warm Normal Saline
- Frequency
- Repeated sequentially until return fluid is clear
- Tracking Notes
- Rarely performed in neonates/infants. High risk of fluid-electrolyte imbalance. Airway protection via endotracheal intubation is highly recommended.
- Body Weight
- 5-7 kg
- Dose
- 50 mL to 70 mL of warm Normal Saline
- Frequency
- Repeated sequentially until return fluid is clear
- Tracking Notes
- Ensure patient is positioned in the left lateral decubitus position with the head of the bed tilted down (Trendelenburg) to minimize aspiration risk.
- Body Weight
- 8-10 kg
- Dose
- 80 mL to 100 mL of warm Normal Saline
- Frequency
- Repeated sequentially until return fluid is clear
- Tracking Notes
- Monitor core body temperature closely during the procedure. Use of normal saline prevents hyponatremia.
- Body Weight
- 11-15 kg
- Dose
- 100 mL of warm Normal Saline
- Frequency
- Repeated sequentially until return fluid is clear
- Tracking Notes
- Do not exceed 100 mL per single instillation cycle to avoid forcing stomach contents past the pylorus into the duodenum.
- Body Weight
- 16-20 kg
- Dose
- 100 mL of warm Normal Saline
- Frequency
- Repeated sequentially until return fluid is clear
- Tracking Notes
- Airway protection must be secured prior to procedure if the patient has a decreased level of consciousness.
| Body Weight | Dose | Frequency | Tracking Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 5 kg | 10 mL/kg of warm Normal Saline | Repeated sequentially until return fluid is clear | Rarely performed in neonates/infants. High risk of fluid-electrolyte imbalance. Airway protection via endotracheal intubation is highly recommended. |
| 5-7 kg | 50 mL to 70 mL of warm Normal Saline | Repeated sequentially until return fluid is clear | Ensure patient is positioned in the left lateral decubitus position with the head of the bed tilted down (Trendelenburg) to minimize aspiration risk. |
| 8-10 kg | 80 mL to 100 mL of warm Normal Saline | Repeated sequentially until return fluid is clear | Monitor core body temperature closely during the procedure. Use of normal saline prevents hyponatremia. |
| 11-15 kg | 100 mL of warm Normal Saline | Repeated sequentially until return fluid is clear | Do not exceed 100 mL per single instillation cycle to avoid forcing stomach contents past the pylorus into the duodenum. |
| 16-20 kg | 100 mL of warm Normal Saline | Repeated sequentially until return fluid is clear | Airway protection must be secured prior to procedure if the patient has a decreased level of consciousness. |
Formulation
Purpose
Emergency gastrointestinal decontamination to empty stomach contents after life-threatening ingestion of toxic substances, poisons, or drug overdoses (usually within 1 to 2 hours of ingestion). Also used for gastric decompression or to clear blood in acute upper GI bleeding.
Generic Name
Gastric irrigation / Stomach pumpingScheduled Drug
No. This medicine is generally not treated as a scheduled/prescription-only drug in common consumer references, but local rules may vary.