Oresol is a well-known medication commonly prescribed to treat dehydration caused by diarrhea in both adults and children. Oresol is used to replace lost fluids and electrolytes in specific cases such as acute diarrhea, high fever, vomiting, or dengue fever levels 1, 2, and 3, as well as for athletes, sports players, and individuals working in hot environments.
Essential Information When Using Oresol
Dosage of Oresol
For Adults
To prevent dehydration from diarrhea, you can take 10ml per kg of body weight after each episode of loose stool.
For mild to moderate rehydration, take 75ml per kg within the first 4 hours. After this period, you may encounter the following situations:
- No signs of dehydration appear, proceed to maintenance dosing.
- Signs of dehydration appear, repeat the above dosage as necessary.
- If severe dehydration symptoms occur, go to the nearest hospital or medical facility for timely treatment, including intravenous rehydration.
- For prevention of dehydration not caused by diarrhea, you can sip oresol as needed.
For Children
- Infants should take a dose of 50ml per time, 2-3 times a day.
- Children aged 2-6 years should take 100ml per time, 2-3 times a day.
- Children aged 6-12 years should take 150ml per time, 2-3 times a day.
How to Use Oresol
You should carefully read the instructions, mixing the oresol packet with the correct amount of water indicated just before use. Once mixed, you can consume it within 24 hours; do not use it afterward.
You should use cool water to mix the oresol solution, and avoid mixing with mineral water as it contains electrolyte ions that can alter the electrolyte ratio. Additionally, do not boil the solution after mixing. Make sure to shake well and dissolve before drinking. For optimal results, use oresol as directed by your physician.
You should use cool water to mix the oresol solution, do not mix with mineral water.
Precautions When Using Oresol
Contraindications to oresol include:
- Patients with acute kidney failure or cirrhosis.
- Individuals with glucose intolerance.
- People with intestinal obstruction.
- Those with intestinal perforation.
- Individuals with intestinal paralysis.
- Oliguria or anuria.
- Severe dehydration with shock symptoms.
- Allergic reactions to any ingredients in the medication.
Additionally, keep in mind the following when using oresol:
- Avoid mixing the solution too concentrated and do not drink too much, as this may lead to water overload and electrolyte imbalance in the body.
- When administering oresol to young children or infants, strictly adhere to the doctor’s prescribed dosage.
- Do not combine oresol with sugary drinks, alcohol, etc., as this may disrupt the electrolytes present in the medication.
Side Effects of Oresol
Overdosing on oresol can cause muscle spasms.
If oresol is mixed incorrectly, with the wrong volume of water or not taken at the correct dosage, you may experience unwanted side effects such as:
- Mild coma is common.
- Excessive rehydration leading to hypernatremia is rare.
- Heart failure due to excessive rehydration is uncommon.
Overdosing on oresol increases salt levels in the body, which may cause typical symptoms such as:
- Muscle spasms and twitching;
- Increased heart rate;
- Dizziness and light-headedness;
- High blood pressure;
- Frequent irritability, fatigue, and restlessness;
- Swelling in the feet or legs.
Immediately inform your doctor or pharmacist to receive timely and effective advice on managing any side effects. Be mindful that not everyone using oresol will experience the aforementioned side effects.
What to Do If You Overdose on Oresol
Overdosing on oresol will lead to symptoms of hypernatremia, including dizziness, light-headedness, rapid heartbeat, and elevated blood pressure, often caused by mixing the solution too concentrated. Symptoms of water overload include heavy eyelids, generalized edema, and heart failure. In such cases, you need timely treatment by:
- Administering a slow intravenous infusion of hypotonic solution and encouraging oral water intake to address hypernatremia.
- For water overload, stop taking rehydration and electrolyte solutions, and use diuretics if necessary.
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