What is ORS for?

ORS is prescribed by a doctor to compensate for lost fluids and minerals (such as sodium, potassium). After taking this medicine, oral rehydration salts begin to work quickly, and dehydration usually improves within 3 to 4 hours. Also, this drug can compensate the body’s lost carbohydrates and electrolytes and is mostly available in the form of sachets and powder. In this article, we examine the function, pharmaceutical forms and uses of “ORS” medicine in the treatment of various diseases. Also, the effects of this drug on the quality of life of patients and the advantages and disadvantages of its use are investigated.

Pharmaceutical forms of ORS

The medicinal forms of ORS include effervescent tablets, sachets, ORS Vanlight Alton solution and powder. Medicines of the same group include lactated Ringer, Ringer’s, injectable sodium chloride, sodium chloride-hypertonic serum, dextran 40, dextran 70, etherified starch, calcium solution, phosphate, potassium chloride, zinc, calcium + magnesium + zinc + vitamin D3, etc.

Uses of ORS medicine

This medicine is used to replace fluids and minerals (such as sodium, potassium) lost due to diarrhea and vomiting. This process helps prevent or treat dehydration. Having the right amount of fluids and minerals is important for the normal functioning of the body. Also, this medicine supplies important electrolytes to the body and prevents the loss of essential electrolytes. Because some factors, including diarrhea and vomiting, infections, heatstroke, severe poisoning, burns, etc., will cause the body’s electrolytes to be lost.

Dosage of ORS

To consume ORS oral powder, open the bag and pour its contents into 200 ml of tap water (this boiled water should be cooled for babies under 1 year old). Then stir well until all the powder is removed and the mixture becomes clear or slightly cloudy. Make sure your child drinks the full dose. If they can’t drink it all at once, you can consume it in about 30 minutes. You can also use a straw to take medicine. Do not keep the solution at room temperature for more than one hour. If you keep it in the refrigerator, you can keep it for 24 hours. (Of course, after opening the door)

Dosage of ORS in adults and children

1. The dosage of this medicine for adults is 50 to 100 ml (solution) per body weight for 4 to 6 hours.
2. In children, 50 to 100 ml of ORS solution is consumed per kilogram of the child’s body weight during the first 4 hours.
3. Note that it is better to determine the amount and time of use of this drug with a doctor’s prescription. If necessary, you can use the drug information on the drug package (for general use only).

Time to take ORS medicine

Oral rehydration salts should start working quickly, and dehydration usually resolves within 3 to 4 hours. Some brands of liquid form must be mixed before use, while others do not. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about your specific brand. Also, if your liquid form is a suspension, shake the bottle well before each dose. If you are using the powder form, mix the contents of the package in water according to the instructions on the medicine package and stir well until it dissolves.

Tips regarding the use of ORS medicine in children

1. Often, illness and diarrhea are accompanied by a stomach bug (gastroenteritis). If your child is sick and has diarrhea, replace the full amount of oral rehydration salts, but give often in small amounts (10 to 20 mL every 5 to 10 minutes), as large drinks can make your child sick.
2. If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after drinking rehydration salts, give them again.
3. Any oral rehydration salts that you mix with water but don’t use should be thrown away after one hour (unless refrigerated, where they may not spoil for 24 hours).

Important points of ORS medicine in children

1. If your child is unable to keep fluids down at all and shows signs of dehydration, call your doctor right away.
2. If your child’s diarrhea is very bad and does not improve after 48 hours and you are concerned about your child losing too much fluid, do not self-medicate and see a doctor.
3. If your child has diabetes, you should note that this medicine contains sugar. Use without a doctor’s prescription is prohibited for this category of children.
4. If your child won’t take rehydration salts, try giving them water (boiled, cooled water for babies under one year) or weak juice.
5. In the first 24 hours, it is better for babies with diarrhea to avoid milk. In older children, you should limit solid foods or milk for the first 24 hours, as this may worsen the diarrhea. If your child seems to be getting better, you can give him water or juice to drink as usual.
6. Normal feeding should be resumed after 24 hours as the diarrhea improves. Also, your child may have mild diarrhea up to a month after contracting a stomach bug (gastroenteritis). You should not use oral rehydration salts for more than 2 to 3 days to treat diarrhea unless your doctor tells you to. You should only use water to mix with oral rehydration salts. Because hydration salts contain the right combination of water and salt to help the body in the best way.
7. You need to be careful to use the right amount of water to prepare the medicine, as too much or too little can mean that the salts in your child’s body are not properly balanced.
8. If your child has liver or kidney disease, you should not use rehydration salts unless your doctor tells you to.

Precautions

Before taking ORS, if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients, do not use it. This medicine can have inactive substances that cause side effects and sensitivity in the patient after taking it. If you have severe diarrhea, severe vomiting, digestive problems (such as stomach or esophagus ulcers), intestinal problems, liver or kidney disorders, etc., consult your doctor regarding the amount and risks of using this medicine. If any of these medical records cause problems or risks for you, the doctor should prescribe similar drugs.

1. If diarrhea does not improve or worsens within a day or two after taking the medicine, see your doctor right away.
2. The contents of the ORS envelope should be dissolved in one liter of cooled boiled water according to its medicinal information and the solution should be consumed immediately.
3. Before using ORS powder, make sure that the solution or powder of this medicine is not spoiled. Pay attention to the expiration date of the ORS drug and if the drug has expired, do not use it.
4. While using ORS, do not take any medicine or dietary supplement without consulting your doctor.

ORS contraindications

1. Water accumulation in the body
2. Intestinal problems
3. Abnormal rectal bleeding
4. kidney problems
5. Allergy to this drug or other drugs and substances
6. Pregnancy or intention to become pregnant
7. breastfeeding
8. Heart problems (such as heart failure)
9. Liver problems
10. diabetes
11. Impaired absorption of glucose in food
12. Having a low sodium or low potassium diet
13. Very severe vomiting or diarrhea
14. Difficulty urinating

ORS side effects

If the ORS drug is taken in the amount determined by the doctor, it will not have side effects. Some of the reported side effects of this drug include puffiness of the eyelids, excessive thirst, cramps in some children, worsening of diarrhea or vomiting (rare), etc., most of which are related to overuse of the drug. If these side effects persist or worsen, stop taking the drug and consult a doctor. However, no specific side effects have been reported in low doses of this drug.

1. Puffy eyelids
2. Excessive thirst
3. Occurrence of seizures in children

ORS drug interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work and increase your risk of side effects. Patients, before going to the doctor, prepare a list of chemical and herbal medicines you use and show them to him. The doctor prescribes you a prescription according to the type of disease, the drugs used, the patient’s age, etc.

ORS storage conditions

This medicine should be stored in a cool place away from light and moisture. Keep all chemical and herbal medicines out of the reach of children and animals. ORS drug (ORS) in the form of sachets or effervescent tablets needs to be stored at a temperature between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius. For more information on how to store, check the drug information on the drug package.

The last word about ORS drug

As we said in this article from Positive Sabz online pharmacy magazine, “ORS” drug plays an important role in strengthening and improving body health by increasing fluids and minerals in the body. This drug can be considered as an effective tool in preventing problems related to mineral deficiency and should be taken under the supervision of a suitable doctor and strictly following the instructions. ORS is known as one of the important drugs in strengthening body health and preventing problems related to mineral deficiency. Since mineral deficiency can cause serious problems, this medicine is an important tool to strengthen people’s general health.

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