Table of contents:
- Functions & Usage
- What are ORS used for?
- What are the rules for using ORS?
- How do you store ORS?
- Dose
- What is the dose of ORS for adults?
- What is the dosage of ORS for children?
- In what dosages and preparations are ORS available?
- Side effects
- What are the possible side effects of ORS?
- Precautions & Warnings
- What should be known before using ORS?
- Are ORS safe for pregnant and lactating women?
- Drug Interactions
- What medicines should not be taken at the same time as this solution?
- What foods and drinks should not be consumed while using this medicine?
- Are there any health conditions that ORS should be avoided?
- Kidney problems
- Severe dehydration
- Sugar absorption problems
- Intestinal problems
- Other conditions
- Overdose
- What are the symptoms of an overdose and what are the effects?
- What should I do in an emergency or overdose?
- What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?
Functions & Usage
What are ORS used for?
ORS is a medicine to replace electrolytes and minerals in the body that are lost due to dehydration. General dehydration is caused by diarrhea, persistent vomiting, excessive physical activity, or other conditions not specified.
This solution is made from a mixture of salt, sugar and water. ORS contains sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (CaCl2), anhydrous glucose, and sodium bicarbonate.
Apart from treating dehydration, this solution can also be consumed to prevent the body from losing fluids. ORS is also often called oral rehydration.
This drug will restore body fluid levels within 8-12 hours of consumption.
What are the rules for using ORS?
ORS is available in powder form which must be dissolved in water or in a ready-to-drink liquid form. ORS solution can be taken with or without a previous meal.
Adults can take this medicine according to the dosage like drinking water normally. However, for babies or young children, parents need to spoon the medicine with a spoon into the child's mouth.
In addition, children also still need to drink water so that they don't feel thirsty and fluid intake is fulfilled more quickly.
How do you store ORS?
The best way to store ORS is stored in a room with a temperature between 15 to 30 ° Celsius. After opening the package, the drug must be used within 48 hours.
Do not store the medicine in a place exposed to direct sunlight or a place that is too humid, such as a bathroom. You also should not freeze the medicine in the refrigerator.
It should be noted that not all drug brands have the same storage rules. Therefore, always heed the storage instructions on the product packaging or ask your pharmacist. In addition, keep all medicines out of reach of children and pets.
Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.
Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.
Dose
What is the dose of ORS for adults?
The dosage of ORS solution for dehydrated adults is:
- Mild dehydration: 50 ml of fluid per kg of body weight taken every 4-6 hours.
- Moderate dehydration: 100 ml of fluid per kg of body weight taken every 4-6 hours.
The dose of ORS solution in adults to meet fluid balance is:
- Mild diarrhea: 100-200 ml of fluid per kg of body weight in one day.
- Chronic diarrhea: 15 ml of fluid per kg of body weight every hour until diarrhea stops.
The maximum dose of ORS solution for adults is 100 mL per hour.
What is the dosage of ORS for children?
The dosage of ORS solution for children who are dehydrated are:
- Age <2 years: 15 ml per kg body weight once a day.
- Age 2-10 years: 50 ml per kg of body weight in the first 4-6 hours. Then 100 ml per kg body weight at 18-24 hours thereafter.
So far there has been no further research regarding the administration of drugs to restore body electrolytes in premature babies. Therefore, consult your doctor first before giving the drug to make it safer.
In what dosages and preparations are ORS available?
This drug is available in liquid form which must be dissolved first with water. In one packet there are 200 ml of the drug and must be dissolved in 200 ml of water.
You can also make your own solution at home by mixing two teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of table salt in one glass of boiled water.
Side effects
What are the possible side effects of ORS?
This solution rarely causes side effects because it is classified as safe for consumption.
If any, the possible side effects are:
- Bloated stomach due to too much fluid entering
- High levels of sodium in the blood (hypernatrium) which causes muscle spasms, a faster heart rate, swollen legs, and hypertension.
- Swollen eyes
In some cases, drug administration can cause mild stomach nausea and vomiting. However, drugs must still be given to restore lost body fluids.
If you show the above signs and symptoms, the drug solution should be stopped.
There are other possible symptoms that everyone exhibits. So, make sure to immediately check your health to the doctor.
Precautions & Warnings
What should be known before using ORS?
This medicine cannot be used to treat diarrhea. ORS only functions to restore fluids and electrolytes lost due to diarrhea.
If you have powdered ORS, be sure to dilute the powder with an appropriate amount of boiled water. Do not measure water more than recommended on the label, as this can reduce the effectiveness of the medication in replenishing lost electrolytes in the body.
According to the Medicine for Children website, children should not use this medicine for more than 3 days without a doctor's supervision.
Are ORS safe for pregnant and lactating women?
To date, there is no scientific evidence that this drug causes adverse effects on pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Always consult your doctor or midwife before using any medicine, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
Drug Interactions
What medicines should not be taken at the same time as this solution?
Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.
Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.
To find out which drugs you are taking have interactions or not with other drugs, you should first consult your doctor.
What foods and drinks should not be consumed while using this medicine?
Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur.
Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your doctor.
So far there are no dietary or dietary restrictions that can affect the action of the drug. If you are in doubt you should consult a doctor.
Are there any health conditions that ORS should be avoided?
If you have certain health conditions, the performance of this drug may not be optimal and it may be impaired.
Some conditions that are not recommended to take ORS drugs are:
Kidney problems
Kidney problems may cause oliguria or anuria. Oliguria is a kidney condition that produces small amounts of urine. While anuria is a kidney condition that cannot produce urine at all.
Giving this solution will actually aggravate the kidneys because the salt intake is higher than can be tolerated.
Severe dehydration
Severe dehydration accompanied by symptoms of shock (fainting and rapid heart rate) should not be given to drink this solution.
The drug works slowly so that it cannot overcome severe dehydration. Severe dehydration should get medical attention at the hospital immediately.
Sugar absorption problems
The disturbed absorption of sugar by the body makes it not recommended that a person be given ORS solution. The reason is, the drug also contains sugar which has the risk of making your condition worse.
Intestinal problems
The absorption of fluids from food and drink takes place in the intestines. If the intestine has problems such as paralysis of the intestines (paralytic ileus) or intestinal obstruction (intestinal obstruction) it is not advisable to drink the solution.
Other conditions
People who have hyperkalemia and heart failure should also not be given ORS solution.
The reason is, this solution can increase potassium levels and aggravate the already problematic heart performance.
Overdose
What are the symptoms of an overdose and what are the effects?
Symptoms that indicate an ORS overdose are:
- Water retention
- Swollen
- High blood calcium levels (hyperkalemia)
What should I do in an emergency or overdose?
In an emergency or overdose situation, call 119 or rush to the nearest hospital.
What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
If you just remember when it's time for the next dose, just ignore the missed dose, and continue taking it as scheduled. Do not use this medication in double doses.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.
