oral rehydration solution (ORS)
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
Oral rehydration solution should be used for all diarrhea patients (including mild, moderate or severe) unless contraindicated. The compositions of ORS as approved by WHO are sodium 75 mmol/L, potassium 20 mmol/L, chloride 65 mmol/L, bicarbonate 30 mmol/L, citrate 10 mmol/L, glucose 75 mmol/L.(1) There is a new ORS formulation which has a decreased osmolarity of 245 mOsm/L introduced by WHO.(1) This new formulation was found to have decreased concentration of glucose and sodium chloride. A decreased stool output, reduced vomiting, and decreased the need for intravenous therapy were observed with the low osmolarity ORS.(1) The commercially available products can be accessed from local pharmacies. However, if patients cannot get the commercial products, the homemade ORS can also be used. However, it is not recommend to use the homemade products due to potential mixing errors.
The two recipes for homemade ORS are:
References:
1. Forrester A. Chapter 32 Diarrhea. Patient Self-Care: Helping Your Patient Make Therapeutic Choices. 2nd Edition. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010: 281-295.
2. E-Therapeutics. Gastrointestinal Disorders: Diarrhea. Available at: https://www.e-therapeutics.ca/tc.showChapter.action?documentId=c0113. Accessibility verified July 11, 2014.
Oral rehydration solution should be used for all diarrhea patients (including mild, moderate or severe) unless contraindicated. The compositions of ORS as approved by WHO are sodium 75 mmol/L, potassium 20 mmol/L, chloride 65 mmol/L, bicarbonate 30 mmol/L, citrate 10 mmol/L, glucose 75 mmol/L.(1) There is a new ORS formulation which has a decreased osmolarity of 245 mOsm/L introduced by WHO.(1) This new formulation was found to have decreased concentration of glucose and sodium chloride. A decreased stool output, reduced vomiting, and decreased the need for intravenous therapy were observed with the low osmolarity ORS.(1) The commercially available products can be accessed from local pharmacies. However, if patients cannot get the commercial products, the homemade ORS can also be used. However, it is not recommend to use the homemade products due to potential mixing errors.
The two recipes for homemade ORS are:
- Fruit juice (1 cup), Honey (1/2 tsp), Salt (1/8 tsp), Baking soda (1/4 tsp)
- Purified water (4 cups), salt (1 tsp), sugar (6 tsp)
References:
1. Forrester A. Chapter 32 Diarrhea. Patient Self-Care: Helping Your Patient Make Therapeutic Choices. 2nd Edition. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010: 281-295.
2. E-Therapeutics. Gastrointestinal Disorders: Diarrhea. Available at: https://www.e-therapeutics.ca/tc.showChapter.action?documentId=c0113. Accessibility verified July 11, 2014.