Generic Information
ORAL REHYDRATION SALT [POWDER]
Oral Rehydration Salt is indicated in Diarrhea (treatment) and Electrolyte depletion (prophylaxis and treatment)
Oral electrolytes preparations
Oral rehydration salts are given orally to prevent or treat dehydration due to acute diarrhoea. Essential water and salts are lost in stools and vomiting, and dehydration results when blood volume is decreased because of fluid loss from the extracellular fluid compartment. Preservation of the facilitated glucose-sodium co-transport system in the small-bowel mucosa is the rationale of oral rehydration therapy. Glucose is actively absorbed in the normal intestine and carries sodium with it in about an equimolar ration. Therefore, there is a greater net absorption of an isotonic salt solution with glucose than one without it. Potassium replacement during acute diarrhoea prevents below-normal serum concentrations of potassium, especially in children, in whom stool potassium losses are higher than in adults. Bicarbonates are effective in correcting the metabolic acidosis caused by diarrhoea and dehydration.
Children less than 2 years: After each loose stool or vomiting 10 to 20 spoonful (50-100 ml). Children 2 to 10 years: After each loose stool or vomiting 100-200 ml of prepared oral saline. Adult and children above 10 years: After each loose stool or vomiting 200-400 ml of prepared saline.
There are no known drug interactions and none well documented.
No known contraindications
No known side effects
FDA has not yet classified the drug into a specified pregnancy category
Depressed renal function, severe continuing diarrhoea or other critical fluid losses may need supplementation with parenteral fluids along with oral saline. Solutions containing acetate or gluconate ions should be used with caution, as excess administration may result in metabolic alkalosis. Solutions containing dextrose should be used with caution in patients with known subclinical or overt diabetes mellitus.