Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

For patients using the commercial powder form of this medicine:

• Add 7 ounces of boiled, cooled tap water to the entire contents of one powder packet. Shake or stir the container for 2 or 3 minutes until all the powder is dissolved.
• Do not add more water to the solution after it is mixed.
• Do not boil the solution.
• Make and use a fresh solution each day.

For patients using the freezer pop form of this medicine:

• Pops should be removed from the box before being placed in the freezer. The pops should be frozen before separating.
• The freezer pop can be eaten without freezing, but tastes best when frozen. To eat the frozen pop, cut the top of the wrapper open and push the pop from the bottom of the plastic sleeve.
• To drink as a liquid, cut the top of the wrapper open and pour the unfrozen pop into a cup or glass.

For patients using the powder form of this medicine distributed by the World Health Organization (WHO):

• Add the entire contents of one powder packet to enough drinking water to make one quart (32 ounces) or liter of solution. Shake the container for 2 or 3 minutes until all the powder is dissolved.
• Do not add more water to the solution after it is mixed.
• Do not boil the solution.
• Make and use a fresh solution each day.

Babies and small children should be given the solution slowly, in small amounts, with a spoon, as often as possible, during the first 24 hours of diarrhea.

Take as directed. Do not take it for a longer time than your doctor has recommended. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Dosing

The dose medicines in this class will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For dextrose and electrolytes and for rice syrup solids and electrolytes

• For rehydration (to replace the water and some important salts [electrolytes]):
  • For oral dosage form (solution):
    • Adults and children over 10 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. At first, the usual dose is 50 to 100 milliliters (mL) per kilogram (kg) (23 to 45 mL per pound) of body weight taken over four to six hours. Your doctor may change the dose depending on your thirst and your response to the treatment.
    • Children 2 to 10 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. At first, the usual dose is 50 mL per kg (23 mL per pound) of body weight taken over the first four to six hours. Then, the dose is 100 mL per kg (45 mL per pound) of body weight taken over the next eighteen to twenty-four hours. Your doctor may change the dose depending on your thirst and your response to the treatment. However, the dose is usually not more than 100 mL in any 20-minute period.
    • Children up to 2 years of age—The dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. At first, the usual dose is 75 mL per kg (34 mL per pound) of body weight during the first eight hours and 75 mL per kg (34 mL per pound) of body weight during the next sixteen hours. Your doctor may change the dose depending on your thirst and your response to the treatment. However, the dose is usually not more than 100 mL in any 20-minute period.
  • For oral dosage form (solution for freezer pop):
    • Children older than 1 year of age—Freezer pop may be given as often as desired.
    • Children up to 1 year of age—Use must be determined by your doctor.

For oral rehydration salts

• For rehydration (to replace the water and some important salts [electrolytes]):
  • For oral dosage form (solution):
    • Adults and teenagers—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. At first, the usual dose is 50 to 100 milliliters (mL) of solution per kilogram (kg) (23 to 45 mL per pound) of body weight taken over four to six hours. Your doctor may change the dose depending on your thirst and your response to the treatment.
    • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. At first, the usual dose is 50 to 100 mL per kg (23 to 45 mL per pound) of body weight taken over the first four hours. Your doctor may change the dose depending on your thirst and your response to the treatment.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Make a fresh solution each day. Discard unused solution at the end of each day. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

• Before Using
• Precautions

Portions of this document last updated: May 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

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