7% sodium chloride

7% NaCl (7% sodium chloride) is an inhaled hypertonic saline solution used as a mucolytic treatment for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Developed in part through research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, this sterile, preservative-free solution is administered via nebulization. By increasing the sodium concentration in the airways, 7% NaCl creates an osmotic gradient that draws water into the airway lumen. This process restores the airway surface liquid volume, hydrates thick and dehydrated mucus, improves mucus rheology, and enhances mucociliary clearance. It is commercially available under brand names such as Hypersal and PulmoSal.

Brand names

HypersalNebuSalPulmoSal

Other names

7% NaCl7% hypertonic saline7% sodium chloride solutionhypertonic salinesodium chloride 7%