Dehydration is a deficiency of body fluids that results when the amount of fluid lost from the body exceeds the amount of fluid taken in.^1,2 Dehydration may be caused by medical illness (eg, acute gastroenteritis), fluid loss (eg, by sweating too much, vomiting, or diarrhea), medications (eg, diuretics), excessive urination (eg, uncontrolled diabetes), or inadequate fluid intake (eg, due to nausea, illness, or sore throat).^1,3 The symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration include thirst, fatigue, restlessness, irritability, headaches, and decreased urine output, while severe dehydration is a life-threatening emergency characterized by confusion, lethargy, apathy, dizziness, unconsciousness, and rapid heartbeat and breathing.^1,4

Treating Dehydration with an Oral Rehydration Solution
Mild dehydration can be effectively treated by drinking regular water or beverages that contain electrolytes.¹However, the treatment of mild to moderate dehydration may require use of an oral rehydration solution (ORS). In cases of severe dehydration, more intensive, invasive therapy in the form of intravenous (IV) fluid administration may be required.^1,5 While IV fluid administration has been used for decades to treat dehydration, a number of practical limitations have restricted its use and prompted the development of oral therapies for rehydration.⁵

In the 1960s, pathophysiologist Robert A. Phillips noted that oral fluids were not absorbed in patients with cholera, but instead contributed to the volume of diarrhea. However, when Phillips gave patients an oral electrolyte solution supplemented with glucose, they experienced less diarrhea.⁵ Following this observation, research into the pathophysiology of glucose and electrolyte absorption has demonstrated that the sodium-glucose cotransport system facilitates electrolyte absorption in the small intestine and colon. Cotransporters present in the membranes of cells that make up the intestinal lumen move 1 glucose molecule into the cells along with 1 sodium ion. When sodium ions are absorbed into the intestine, water follows via osmosis. Osmotic pressure thus facilitates the absorption of water, which flows from an area of low sodium concentration (intestinal lumen) to higher sodium concentration (intestinal cells).^4,6 Therefore, the presence of glucose in ORS facilitates the uptake of water and electrolytes.

Clinical trials have established that the administration of ORS containing a mixture of salts and glucose results in decreased diarrhea and rapid rehydration.⁵ Based on the safety and efficacy of ORS, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends ORS for the treatment of clinical dehydration,⁷ and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics) recommend ORS for the management of acute gastroenteritis in children.⁴

Factors that should be considered when selecting an ORS for the treatment of dehydration include sodium level, osmolarity, and taste. The presence of an appropriate amount of sodium and glucose promotes electrolyte and water absorption via the sodium-glucose cotransport system in the intestine.^4,6 Regarding osmolarity, studies have demonstrated that a low-osmolarity ORS is associated with decreased stool output and less vomiting compared with a standard ORS in patients with dehydration due to diarrhea.⁷ The WHO recommends low-osmolarity ORS (245 mOsmol/L) with a sodium concentration of 75 mEq/L for the management of children and adults with diarrhea,⁷ and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) recommends an ORS containing 60 mEq/L of sodium with reduced osmolarity for the management of children with acute gastroenteritis.⁸ 

Poor taste may be a barrier to patient compliance with ORS use and successful rehydration. Thus, there is a need for a pleasant-tasting ORS that also meets the recommendations for sodium level and osmolarity.

Choose Trioral brand Oral Rehydration Salts from Trifecta Pharmaceuticals USA.  Trioral brand Oral Rehydration Salts is one of the only ORS products on the market that complies with the New WHO Recommended Formula.  For best results please consult a health professional for medical advice. 

Role of the Pharmacist 
As members of the health care team who are readily accessible in the community setting, pharmacists can help address the needs of patients who experience dehydration due to everyday nonmedical causes (eg, due to excessive sweating on a hot summer day) and patients who experience dehydration due to common medical conditions (eg, acute gastroenteritis). Patients experiencing dehydration may not always receive counseling regarding appropriate therapy. An ORS is an effective treatment for mild to moderate dehydration.⁵ Pharmacists should be aware of the symptoms of dehydration and the need for an ORS, and provide patients with appropriate education and guidance. The Table shows guidelines from the WHO regarding the approximate amount of ORS to give in the first 4 hours to children and adults with some dehydration.¹¹