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Glycine

Prescription NDA TE AT Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information. Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch.

Overview

Brand name
Glycine
Generic name
Glycine
Dosage form
Irrigant
Route
Irrigation
Marketing category
NDA · NDA
Labeler
B. Braun Medical Inc.
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
1
NDC product codes
2
Packages
2
Data completeness
76% of corroborating sources present

Active ingredients

Source: NDC Directory
Active ingredients and strengths as listed in the NDC Directory.
Ingredient Strength RxCUI Monograph
Glycine 1.5 g/100mL 800401 View

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Irrigant
Route of administration
Irrigation
Presentations
4

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
016784
Application type
NDA · New Drug Application
Approval date
February 6, 1978
Sponsor
B BRAUN
Products on application
1
Submissions recorded
31
Products approved under application 016784.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
016784-001 GLYCINE 1.5% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER SOLUTION GLYCINE Prescription AT

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
AT
Reference Listed Drug
No
Reference Standard
No

What this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated (topical dermatological products)

Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 016784.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Supplement 35 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved September 12, 2014 Standard
Supplement 34 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved May 8, 2013 Standard
Supplement 30 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved July 8, 2002 Standard
Supplement 29 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved April 3, 2002 Standard
Supplement 28 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved April 12, 2000 Standard
Supplement 27 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved March 25, 1998 Standard
Supplement 26 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved May 21, 1997 Standard
Supplement 25 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved January 13, 1995 Standard
Supplement 24 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved September 11, 1990 Standard
Supplement 22 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved April 19, 1988 Standard
Supplement 19 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved March 5, 1987 Standard
Supplement 20 Labeling Approved July 27, 1985 —
Supplement 16 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved May 24, 1985 Standard
Supplement 17 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved May 17, 1985 Standard
Supplement 18 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved April 3, 1985 Standard
Supplement 15 Labeling Approved February 18, 1983 —
Supplement 12 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved November 6, 1981 Standard
Supplement 11 Labeling Approved October 27, 1981 —
Supplement 10 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved October 27, 1981 Standard
Supplement 13 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved September 28, 1981 Standard
Supplement 14 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved September 24, 1981 Standard
Supplement 9 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved July 16, 1980 Standard
Supplement 8 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved February 15, 1980 Standard
Supplement 7 Labeling Approved September 25, 1979 —
Supplement 6 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved September 24, 1979 Standard
Supplement 3 Labeling Approved June 19, 1979 —
Supplement 4 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved April 26, 1979 Standard
Supplement 5 Labeling Approved April 12, 1979 —
Supplement 1 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved October 30, 1978 Standard
Supplement 2 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved August 28, 1978 Standard
Original application 1 Type 5 - New Formulation or New Manufacturer Approved February 6, 1978 Standard

Review documents

  • 0 · Supplement · September 19, 2014

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20251021). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20251021 HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20210401

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

INDICATIONS AND USAGE 1.5% Glycine Irrigation, USP is indicated for use as irrigating fluid during transurethral prostatic resection and other transurethral surgical procedures.

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION 1.5% Glycine Irrigation, USP should be administered only by transurethral instillation with appropriate urologic instrumentation. A disposable irrigation set should be used. The total volume of solution used for irrigation is solely at the discretion of the surgeon. Height of container(s) above the operating table in excess of 60 cm (approx. 2 ft.) has been reported to increase intravascular absorption of the irrigating fluid. Drug Interactions Additives may be incompatible. Consult with pharmacist, if available. When introducing additives, use aseptic technique, mix thoroughly and do not store. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution container permits. See PRECAUTIONS.

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

CONTRAINDICATIONS 1.5% Glycine Irrigation USP is not for injection. It is contraindicated in patients with anuria.

WARNINGS Solutions for urologic irrigation must be used with caution in patients with severe cardiopulmonary or renal dysfunction. The amount of fluid absorbed during a transurethral resection is a function of the volume and hydrostatic pressure of the irrigant used, the number and size of venous sinuses opened, and the duration of the procedure. Since irrigating fluids used during transurethral prostatectomy have been demonstrated to enter the systemic circulation in relatively large volumes, any irrigation solution must be regarded as a systemic drug. Absorption of large amounts of fluids containing glycine and the resultant osmotic diuresis may significantly affect cardiopulmonary and renal dynamics. Absorption of large amounts of irrigating solution can also result in pronounced hyponatremia and water intoxication. After opening container, the contents should be used promptly to minimize the possibility of bacterial growth or pyrogen formation. Discard unused portion of irrigating solution since it contains no preservative.

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

ADVERSE REACTIONS Adverse reactions may result from intravascular absorption of glycine. Large intravenous doses of glycine are known to cause salivation, nausea and lightheadedness. Other consequences of absorption of urologic irrigating solutions include fluid and electrolyte disturbances such as acidosis, electrolyte loss, marked diuresis, urinary retention, edema, dryness of mouth, thirst, dehydration, coma from hyponatremia, secondary hyponatremia due to fluid overload, and hyperammonemia with resultant coma and/or encephalopathy; cardiovascular disorders such as hypotension, tachycardia, angina-like pains; pulmonary disorders such as pulmonary congestion; and other general reactions such as blurred vision, convulsions, nausea, vomiting, rhinitis, chills, vertigo, backache, transient blindness and urticaria. Allergic reactions from glycine are unknown or exceedingly rare. Should any adverse reaction occur, discontinue the irrigant, evaluate the patient, institute appropriate therapeutic countermeasures and save the remainder of the fluid for examination if deemed necessary.

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

DESCRIPTION 1.5% Glycine Irrigation, USP is a sterile, nonpyrogenic, hypotonic, aqueous solution of glycine intended only for urologic irrigation during transurethral surgical procedures. Each 100 mL contains 1.5 g of glycine in water for injection. The solution is nonelectrolytic, hypotonic and has an osmolarity of 200 mOsmol/liter (calc.); pH 6.0 (4.5 to 6.5). The solution contains no bacteriostat, antimicrobial agent or added buffer and is intended only for use as a single-dose irrigation. When smaller volumes are required, the unused portion should be discarded. 1.5% Glycine Irrigation is a urologic nonelectrolyte irrigant. Glycine, USP is chemically designated aminoacetic acid (C 2 H 5 NO 2 ), a white crystalline powder freely soluble in water. It has the following structural formula: NH 2 CH 2 COOH Water for Injection, USP is chemically designated H 2 0. The flexible plastic container is fabricated from a specially formulated polyvinylchloride. Water can permeate from inside the container into the overwrap but not in amounts sufficient to affect the solution significantly. The semi-rigid container is fabricated from a specially formulated polyolefin. It is a copolymer of ethylene and propylene. The container requires no vapor barrier to maintain the proper drug concentration. The flexible plastic container is fabricated from a specially formulated polyvinylchloride. Water can permeate from inside the container into the overwrap but not in amounts sufficient to affect the solution significantly. Solutions in contact with the plastic container may leach out certain chemical components from the plastic in very small amounts; however, biological testing was supportive of the safety of the plastic container materials. Exposure to temperatures above 25°C/77°F during transport and storage will lead to minor losses in moisture content. Higher temperatures lead to greater losses. It is unlikely that these minor losses will lead to clinically significant changes within the expiration period.

OVERDOSAGE In the event of overhydration or solute overload, re-evaluate the patient and institute appropriate corrective measures. See WARNINGS, PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

HOW SUPPLIED 1.5% Glycine Irrigation, USP is supplied in single-dose 3000 mL flexible irrigation container NDC No. Product Container Size (mL) 0409-7974-08 1.5% Glycine Irrigation, USP 3000 mL 0990-7974-08 1.5% Glycine Irrigation, USP 3000 mL ICU Medical is transitioning NDC codes from the "0409" to a "0990" labeler code. Both NDC codes are expected to be in the market for a period of time. Exposure of pharmaceutical products to heat should be minimized. Avoid excessive heat. Protect from freezing. Store at 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature.] Revised: November, 2022 ICU Medical, Inc., Lake Forest, Illinois, 60045, USA IFU0000478

Adverse event reports

Source: openFDA FAERS
1,027
FAERS reports mentioning this drug
as of 2026-09-25T03:42:24+00:00
A report count is not a risk measure. FAERS accepts voluntary and mandatory reports without establishing causation, and reporting is influenced by how widely a drug is used, how long it has been marketed, and media attention. FDA states that reports “do not prove that the drug caused the event”. Compare rates, not totals.

Attributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: GLYCINE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
0264-7390-60 0264-7390 B. Braun Medical Inc. 4 CONTAINER in 1 CASE (0264-7390-60) / 3000 mL in 1 CONTAINER December 4, 2013
0990-7974-08 0990-7974 ICU Medical Inc. 4 POUCH in 1 CASE (0990-7974-08) / 1 BAG in 1 POUCH / 3000 mL in 1 BAG July 1, 2019
0264-7390 0264-7390 B. Braun Medical Inc. — December 4, 2013
0990-7974 0990-7974 ICU Medical Inc. — July 1, 2019

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Orange Book FDA Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
FAERS FDA Adverse event report counts

Generated September 25, 2026 · 10 sections on this page.