why are medications given in a saline solution?

Answer 1

Salt is a naturally required chemical in the body. Without it, our bodies don't function.

Mixing medications into a saline drip is the fastest way to get them distributed throughout the body, since your body will move them along much faster.

Answer 2

Saline solution is the closest thing to the body's natural fluid. It's 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Basically, this means, that for every litre of water, 9mls is salt. Using this solution means that the body will absorb the medicine more readily.

Not all medicines are given in saline though. Some medicines need to be given in plain water or a glucose (sugar) mix. It depends on the type of medication.

Answer 3

So you don't drink them for pleasure.

And so they are absorbed by your organism... Plain water can kill you when injected directly to your blood.