CARBOHYDRATES & ELECTROLYTES

Brand & Generic Names

Gastrolyte	Pedialyte
Lytren RHS	Rapolyte
Oral rehydration salts	Rehydralyte
ORS-bicarbonate	Resol
ORS-citrate	Ricalyte

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Not for all
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Electrolyte replenisher

Uses

Replenishes fluids and electrolytes (salts) in dehydrated children and adults.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Follow package instructions.

When to take:
According to doctor's instructions. Frequency of need varies greatly.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Prevents and treats electrolyte imbalance due to severe diarrhea.

Time lapse before drug works:
8 to 12 hours.

Don't take with:
Any other medicines (including over-the-counter drugs such as cough and cold medicines, laxatives, antacids, diet pills, caffeine, nose drops or vitamins) without consulting your doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Seizures.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or 0 (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see previous section.

Common:

Vomiting.

Infrequent:

Failure to improve.

Rare:

• Too-high blood sodium level, causing convulsions.
• Overhydration (puffy eyes).

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• Kidneys are not functioning.
• Patient is unable to drink.
• There is severe and sustained vomiting.

Before you start, consult your doctor:
If patient is younger than 6 months.

Over age 60:
No problems expected; well tolerated by older patients.

Pregnancy:
No problems expected. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
No problems expected. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Safe and effective in young; not yet evaluated in premature infants.

Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check body weight, blood pressure, serum electrolytes and serum pH.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
No special problems expected.

Others:

• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.
• May affect results in some medical tests.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Dangerous. Avoid.
Beverages:	Continuing milk all right.
	Others as tolerated.
Cocaine:	Dangerous. Avoid.
Rice, cereal, bananas,	Helps maintain nutrition.
Marijuana:	Dangerous. Avoid.
Tobacco:	May increase diarrhea. Avoid.