Rice Saline

This saline is indicated in-

• Acute fluid and electrolyte loss conditions such as cholera, acute diarrhea & vomiting
• Dehydration
• Severely low concentrations of salts in the blood (severe electrolyte depletion)

Oral electrolytes preparations

This saline contains essential electrolytes & carbohydrate (in the form of processed rice) which are vital for a dehydrating patient in conditions such as cholera, acute diarrhoea, vomiting & excessive sweating.

In the normal healthy intestine, there is a continuous exchange of water through the intestinal wall- up to 20 liters of water is secreted and very nearly as much is reabsorbed every 24 hours- this mechanism allows the absorption of soluble metabolites from digested food into the bloodstream.

In a state of diarrheal disease, the balance is upset and much more water is secreted than is reabsorbed causing a net loss to the body which can be as high as several liters a day. In addition to water, Chloride ion (CI^-), extracellular sodium ion (Na⁺) & intracellular potassium ion (K⁺) are also lost. This saline is effectively replenishes the lost electrolytes in the body.

The pharmacokinetics and therapeutic values of the substances of this saline are as follows:

• Glucose (comes from rice) facilitates the absorption of sodium (and hence water) on a 1:1 molar basis in the small intestine
• Sodium and potassium are needed to replace the body losses of these essential ions during diarrhoea and vomiting
• Citrate corrects the acidosis that occurs as a result of diarrhoea and dehydration

Rice, a carbohydrate is converted to glucose through digestion. Glucose is then absorbed through intestinal wall with salt. Addition of rice (instead of pure glucose) to this formula reduces the osmolarity of the solution,thus preventing additional loss of fluid through stools.

The dose depends on the severity of the dehydrating conditions of the patients. Recommended dose after each watery stool are as follows:

• 6 months to 2 years: 50 ml to 100 ml (10 to 20 Teaspoonfuls)
• 2 years to 9 years: 100 ml to 200 ml (20 to 40 teaspoonfuls)
• 10 years and above: 250 ml to 500 ml (1 to 2 glassfuls)

Precautions should be taken in case of significant overdose, especially for the following patients-

• Children less than 1 year of age.
• Patients with imbalance of salt concentrations in the blood (electrolyte imbalance).
• Patients with severely decreased kidney and liver function.

There is no known drug interaction reported.

Recommended in pregnancy & lactation, as there is no known harmful effects when this medicine is used.

Preparation for 250 ml Saline: Wash both hands with soap before preparing the saline. Add 250 ml (one glassful) hot boiled water into a jar. Then add full sachet of this saline (for 250 ml water) powder into the jar. Mix the powder well in the water until a milky white solution appears. Give the solution to the patient to drink as per the dose.

Preparation for 500 ml Saline: Wash both hands with soap before preparing the saline. Add 500 ml hot boiled water (two glassfuls) into a jar. Then add full sachet of this saline (for 500 ml water) powder into the jar. Mix the powder well in the water until a milky white solution appears. Give the solution to the patient to drink as per the dose.

Store in a cool & dry place, protected from light & moisture.