Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Note on this source. The FDA label used for this page covers a combination product listed as Balanced Salt Solution Enriched With Bicarbonate, Dextrose, And Glutathione. The information below therefore describes that product, not Glutathione on its own. Check the label of the specific product you have.
Quick facts
- Type
- human prescription drug
- Brand names
- BSS PLUS
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
INDICATIONS AND USAGE: BSS PLUS solution is indicated for use as an intraocular irrigating solution during intraocular surgical procedures involving perfusion of the eye.
About this medicine
DESCRIPTION BSS PLUS ® is a sterile intraocular irrigating solution for use during all intraocular surgical procedures, including those requiring a relatively long intraocular perfusion time (e.g., pars plana vitrectomy, phacoemulsification, extra capsular cataract extraction/lens aspiration, anterior segment reconstruction, etc.). The solution does not contain a preservative and should be prepared just prior to use in surgery. Part I: Part I is a sterile 480 mL solution in a 500 mL single-dose bag to which the Part II concentrate is added. Each mL of Part I contains: sodium chloride 7.44 mg, potassium chloride 0.395 mg, dibasic sodium phosphate 0.433 mg, sodium bicarbonate 2.19 mg, hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide (to adjust pH), in water for injection. Part II: Part II is a sterile concentrate in a 20 mL single-dose vial for addition to Part I. Each mL of Part II contains: calcium chloride dihydrate 3.85 mg, magnesium chloride hexahydrate 5 mg, dextrose 23 mg, glutathione disulfide (oxidized glutathione) 4.6 mg, in water for injection. After addition of BSS PLUS solution Part II to the Part I bag, each mL of the reconstituted product contains: sodium chloride 7.14 mg, potassium chloride 0.38 mg, calcium chloride dihydrate 0.154 mg, magnesium chloride hexahydrate 0.2 mg, dibasic sodium phosphate 0.42 mg, sodium bicarbonate 2.1 mg, dextrose 0.92 mg, glutathione disulfide (oxidized glutathione) 0.184 mg, hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide (to adjust pH), in water for injection. The reconstituted product has a pH of approximately 7.4. Osmolality is approximately 305 mOsm.
Who should not take it
CONTRAINDICATIONS There are no specific contraindications to the use of BSS PLUS solution; however, contraindications for the surgical procedure during which BSS PLUS solution is to be used should be strictly adhered to.
Warnings
WARNINGS For IRRIGATION during ophthalmic surgery only. Not for injection or intravenous infusion. Do not use unless product is clear, seal is intact and container is undamaged. Do not use if product is discolored or contains a precipitate.
Reported side effects
ADVERSE REACTIONS Postoperative inflammatory reactions as well as incidents of corneal edema and corneal decompensation have been reported. Their relationship to the use of BSS PLUS solution has not been established.
Storing it safely
STORAGE Store Part I and Part II at 2˚C to 25˚C (36°F to 77° F). Discard prepared solution after six hours. Revised: April 2023 Alcon Distributed by: Alcon Laboratories, Inc. Fort Worth, Texas 76134 USA © 2023 Alcon Inc. RECONSTITUTION INSTRUCTIONS DIRECTIONS: Use Aseptic Technique Remove the BSS PLUS ™ solution Part I (480 mL) bag from the clear overwrap. Remove the blue flip-off seal from the BSS PLUS solution Part II (20 mL) vial. Prepare the stoppers on both parts by using sterile alcohol wipes. Peel open a BSS PLUS solution Dual-Spike Transfer Device package (supplied) and remove the sterile transfer spike. NOTE: This device is vented permitting air to enter vial during solution transfer, thereby preventing the creation of a vacuum inside the vial. Remove protector from the white plastic piercing pin of the Dual-Spike Transfer Device. Firmly grasp device from behind the flange and insert the white plastic piercing pin into the upright rubber stopper of the BSS PLUS solution Part II (20 mL) vial. Remove guard from filter needle. Firmly grasp vial in the palm of one hand and with thumb and index finger, hold plastic flange against top of vial. Hold the vial in the upright position, incline and immediately insert the transfer device into the center target of rubber stopper of the BSS PLUS solution Part I (480 mL) bag. (See illustration.) NOTE: Do not invert Part II (20mL) vial before or during spiking of the BSS PLUS solution Part I bag rubber stopper, until ready to initiate transfer. Invert vial to initiate the transfer of Part II into Part I. If transfer does not occur immediately, gentle manipulation of the bag can initiate transfer. NOTE: An excess amount of BSS PLUS solution Part II is provided in each vial. A non-transferred solution residual of approximately 0.3 mL can be expected to remain in the vial. Immediately remove vial (with spike attached) from the BSS PLUS solution Part I container and discard it after solution transfer has been completed. Place a sterile safety cap over the rubber stopper of Part I if the solution is not going to be used immediately. Mix the solution gently until uniform. […]
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This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 25 January 2024. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.