<p>This saline contains essential electrolytes &amp; carbohydrate (in the form of processed rice) which are vital for a dehydrating patient in conditions such as cholera, acute diarrhoea, vomiting &amp; excessive sweating.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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+) &amp; intracellular potassium ion (K+) are also lost. This saline is effectively replenishes the lost electrolytes in the body.<br />
<br />
The pharmacokinetics and therapeutic values of the substances of this saline are as follows:</p>

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

<p>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.</p>