What is this medication for?
Oral rehydration salts contain various salts which belong to a group of medications called oral electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals needed by the body to function properly. Some brands also include glucose as an ingredient.
This medication works by replacing lost fluids and salts in your body, which happen often due to diarrhoea or vomiting.
How should I take or use this medication?
Follow the instructions given by your healthcare provider or follow the manufacturer's label on how to use the medication.
What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?
- This medication is to be taken only on an “as-needed” basis; there is no need to take the medication if you are not experiencing any symptoms.
What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
- You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
If you have any question about this medication, please discuss with your healthcare professional.
What are some common side effects of this medication?
This medication is generally well tolerated and is not expected to cause side-effects.
What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
You can also find out about drug allergies by watching these videos:
They are available in English, 中文, Melayu and தமிழ்: Drug Allergies
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Signs that your condition may require further medical attention include:
- Vomiting that does not go away
- Diarrhoea that lasts for more than 2 days even after self-medicating
- Symptoms of dehydration such as dry lips, extreme thirst, passing urine less often, dark-coloured urine and dizziness
- Very bad pain in your stomach or anus area
- Blood and/or pus in the stools or black and sticky stools
- Fever
- You have just returned from an area where there have been recent cases of a gut infection known as cholera
- A child less than 2 years old who has diarrhoea or vomiting
What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?
This medication is not expected to affect any other medications that you may be taking.
How should I store this medication?
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
How do I throw away this medication safely?
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
Disclaimer
Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side-effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side-effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist. If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (NHG Health, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
Contributed By
- Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore