ORS 10 sachets

Trade Name:

ORS

10 Sachets Oral Rehydration Salt Powder For Oral Solution For prevention and treatment of dehydration 

Composition:

Sodium chloride, Glucose anhydrous, Potassium chloride, Trisodium citrate dihydrate

Properties:

The reconstituted solution contains a mixture of sodium and potassium salts along with glucose, which facilitates the absorption of sodium and potassium from the intestine. Water is drawn from the bowel by the osmotic effect. As well as “drying up” the stools, the dehydration and loss of elec-trolytes caused by the diarrhoea is corrected by the water and electrolytes absorbed.

Indications:

Oral rehydration salt is indicated for the treatment of diarrhoea and fluid loss due to diarrhoea in infants, children and adults.

Dosage and administration:

Dissolve contents in 1000 ml of boiled, cool water and to be taken orally.

Unused solution should be stored in a refrigerator and discarded 24 hours 

after preparation.

• Infants:

One litre over a period of 24 hours.

1 to 1.5 times their usual feed volume.

Administer with caution to infants.

• Children:

One litre over 8 to 24 hours, according to age. 250 ml for every loose motion.

• Adults:

Drink freely as required, or as directed by the physician. 

250 ml to 1000 ml of oral rehydration solution for every loose motion has been suggested.

Normal feeding can continue after the initial fluid deficit has been corrected.

Breast feeding should continue between administrations of oral rehydration solution.

Contraindications:

• cirrhosis of the liver
• congestive cardiac failure
• nephrotic syndrome
• acute and chronic renal failure 
• ischaemic heart disease
• adrenocortical insufficiency 
• hyperkalemic periodic paralysis
• hyperkalemia
• hypoventilatory states
• chloride depletion due to continuous gastric fluid loss
• metabolic or respiratory alkalosis hypocalcemia

• hyperosmolar states in anuria or oliguria, • oedematous sodium retaining conditions
• hypertension
• peripheral or pulmonary oedema or toxaemia of pregnancy
• severe vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration requiring fluid therapy

• dextrose malabsorption
• in cases of diabetes mellitus
• thiamine deficiency
• severe under-nutrition
• hemodilution
• hypophosphatemia
• sepsis and trauma

ORS is also contraindicated for use in patients undergoing treatment with the following:

-sodium retaining drugs

-diuretics known to produce hypochloremic alkalosis

Warnings and precautions:

• Administer with caution in cases of acute dehydration, heat cramps, extensive tissue destruction or if patients are receiving potassium-sparing diuretics.

• Concurrent use with other potassium containing drugs may precipitate hyperkalaemia.

• It is very important to dissolve Oral Rehydration Salts in water of the correct volume. A weak solution will not contain optimum glucose and electrolyte concentration and a strong solution may give rise to electrolyte imbalance.

• Diarrhoea can have very serious consequences in children under 3 years old. Immediate medical advice should be sought. In other age groups, if symptoms persist for more than 24–48 hours, consult a doctor. If nausea and vomiting are present with the diarrhoea, small and frequent amounts of ORS should be taken  first. In infants, immediate medical assis-tance should be obtained.

• Use within one hour of reconstitution, or within 24 hours if stored in a refrigerator.
• Use in patients with pre-eclampsia is contraindicated. The product should  only be administered if the expected benefit to the mother is thought to outweigh any possible risk to the foetus or neonate.

Side effects:

Common:

hypernatraemia, oedema, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, 

thirst, reduced salivation, lachrymation, sweating, fever, tachycardia, renal 

failure, respiratory arrest, headache, dizziness, restlessness, irritability, 

weakness, muscular twitching, coma, convulsions, hyperkalaemia, gas-

tro-intestinal ulceration, metabolic alkalosis, muscle hypertonicity, flatu-

lence, dehydration and raised blood pressure.

Storage:

Store at a temperature not exceeding 30°C In a dry place

Package:

Carton box holds 10 sachets and a paper leaflet.