Available Strengths of Urea Tablets
Urea tablets are available in strengths of 15 g per tablet. This is the standard formulation available for oral administration of urea.
Clinical Applications of Urea Tablets
Urea tablets are primarily used in the treatment of hyponatremia, particularly in cases related to Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone secretion (SIADH). The evidence supports several key dosing approaches:
- Standard dosing: 15-30 g administered three to four times daily 1
- Weight-based dosing: 0.5 to 1 g/kg/day 2
- Total daily dose: Typically ranges from 15-120 g per day depending on severity of hyponatremia
Administration Methods
Urea tablets can be administered through several routes:
- Oral administration: Direct oral intake with sufficient water
- Nasogastric tube: For patients unable to take medications orally 2
- Mixed with soft foods: Can be administered with small amounts of soft food if needed
Efficacy in Clinical Settings
Research demonstrates that urea is highly effective for treating hyponatremia:
- In patients with mild hyponatremia (mean 128 mEq/L), serum sodium increased to 135 mEq/L after just two days of therapy 2
- For severe hyponatremia (≤115 mEq/L), serum sodium increased from 111 mEq/L to 122 mEq/L in one day 2
- In patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and SIADH, urea corrected hyponatremia to >130 mEq/L within a median of 1 day 1
Duration of Treatment
The duration of urea therapy varies based on clinical response:
- Median treatment duration: 5-6 days 2, 1
- Range: Can extend from 2 to 42 days depending on clinical response 2
- Some patients may require reintroduction if hyponatremia recurs after discontinuation
Safety Profile
Urea tablets have demonstrated a favorable safety profile:
- Well-tolerated in most patients 2, 1, 3
- Most common adverse effect is poor palatability/distaste 3
- No severe adverse effects reported in clinical studies 2, 1
- Rapid recovery of neurological symptoms in patients with severe hyponatremia 2
Monitoring Recommendations
When administering urea tablets, monitor:
- Serum sodium levels daily during initial treatment
- Ensure correction rate doesn't exceed 10 mEq/L in 24 hours or 18 mEq/L in 48 hours to prevent osmotic demyelination syndrome 4
- Watch for potential hypernatremia, which occurred in approximately 8% of patients in one study 2
Conclusion
Urea tablets are available in 15 g strength and represent an effective, safe, and economical treatment option for hyponatremia, particularly in cases refractory to fluid restriction or when other treatments are contraindicated.