Indications
Pregelatinised Rice Powder is the main ingredient of rice based oral rehydration salts (rice ORS). Mixed with water, it is used to prevent and treat dehydration (loss of body water and salts) caused by diarrhoea, including cholera and acute watery diarrhoea in children and adults. Rice ORS may also reduce the amount of stool passed, especially in cholera.
How It Works
The product contains cooked (pregelatinised) rice powder together with sodium chloride, potassium chloride and trisodium citrate or sodium bicarbonate. In the gut the rice starch is slowly broken down into glucose. Glucose and sodium are absorbed together, pulling water with them into the body. This replaces lost fluid and salts. Because the starch releases glucose gradually, it adds energy without drawing extra water into the bowel.
Dosage and Administration
Mix one sachet with exactly the amount of clean drinking water stated on the pack (usually 500 ml); do not add more or less water, sugar or salt. Stir well. Give small, frequent sips, or by spoon for young children.
- Children under 2 years: about 50 to 100 ml after each loose stool.
- Children 2 to 10 years: about 100 to 200 ml after each loose stool.
- Older children and adults: as much as they want, at least 200 to 400 ml after each loose stool.
Continue breastfeeding and normal feeding. Use the made up drink within the time stated on the pack (usually 8 to 12 hours) and discard the rest. Give Zinc to children with diarrhoea as advised by a health worker.
Interactions
No important drug interactions are known. Do not mix the solution with milk, juice or soft drinks.
Contraindications
- Severe dehydration with shock or inability to drink, which needs intravenous fluids in hospital.
- Persistent vomiting where nothing can be kept down.
- Bowel blockage or paralysed bowel.
- Kidney failure with very little or no urine.
Side Effects
Rice ORS is usually well tolerated. Mild vomiting may occur; if so, wait 10 minutes and then give it more slowly. Too much ORS, or ORS made with too little water, can cause swelling of the eyelids or salt imbalance.
Get urgent medical help if the person becomes very drowsy or hard to wake, cannot drink, has sunken eyes and very dry mouth, passes no urine for 6 hours or more, has blood in the stool, high fever, repeated vomiting, or if diarrhoea continues for more than 2 days or a young infant is affected.
Pregnancy and Lactation
Rice ORS is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding to replace fluid lost through diarrhoea. Continue breastfeeding babies during diarrhoea.
Precautions and Warnings
- Always use clean, safe drinking water.
- Measure the water correctly.
- People with heart failure, kidney disease or diabetes should use it under medical advice.
- ORS replaces fluid but does not stop diarrhoea; seek care if it does not improve.
Overdose
Drinking far too much, or using a solution that is too strong, can cause high sodium levels with thirst, irritability, swelling or drowsiness. Stop and seek medical advice.
Therapeutic Class
Oral rehydration therapy; rice based oral rehydration salts.
Storage
Store sachets below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children. Once mixed, use within the time stated on the pack.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.