The key difference between gastrolyte and hydralyte is that gastrolyte contains a high amount of sugar, whereas hydralyte contains a low amount of sugar.
Sometimes, we might lose fluids due to disease conditions like diarrhea and vomiting. In such instances, we can use external fluids in order to replace the lost fluids in the body. Gastrolyte and hydralyte are two such fluids.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Gastrolyte
3. What is Hydralyte
4. Gastrolyte vs Hydralyte in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Gastrolyte vs Hydralyte
What is Gastrolyte?
Gastrolyte is an oral rehydration solution useful in managing fluid loss due to diarrhea and vomiting. This solution usually contains salt, water, and sugar. It can replenish fluids and electrolytes that are lost from the body. Moreover, it can help the intestines to absorb water to prevent further dehydration.
This medication can come in two major forms. The fruit-flavored forms come in sachets, and each sachet contains 3.56 grams of dextrose monohydrate, 0.53 grams of disodium citrate, 0.47 grams of sodium chloride, and 0.30 grams of potassium chloride. Therefore, we can make one liter of the solution using 5 sachets, which contain 60mmol of sodium, 20 mmol of potassium, 60mmol of chloride, 10mmol, of bicarbonate, and 90 mmol of dextrose in the anhydrous form. Moreover, as a sweetening agent, it contains aspartame, and as a flavoring agent, it contains grapefruit flavor, pineapple flavor, etc.
There are also regular sachets without any flavor. Each sachet contains 3.56 grams of dextrose monohydrate, 0.53 grams of disodium citrate, 0.48 grams of sodium chloride, and 0.30 grams of potassium chloride. Therefore, in order to make one liter of the fluid, we can use 5 sachets. The resulting solution will contain 60 mmol of sodium, 20 mmol of potassium, 60 mmol of chloride, 10 mmol of bicarbonate, and 90 mmol of dextrose in the anhydrous form.
The intake of this fluid depends on the weight. For example, toddlers, children, and adults should take 100 = 150 mL per 1 kg of body weight each day. However, there is vomiting as well, in line with diarrhea. Then it is advised to use small amounts of solution at the beginning and can increase the volume gradually.
What is Hydralyte?
Hydralyte is a product useful in replacing fluids and minerals lost due to diarrhea and vomiting. Minerals that can be replaced using this fluid include sodium, potassium, etc. This solution is useful in preventing or treating dehydration. This is because having the correct amount of fluids and minerals is important to keep the regular functioning of our body.
There can be some mild side effects of using this fluid, such as mild nausea and vomiting. We can decrease these effects by taking the product slowly in small amounts using a spoon. Moreover, it is important to contact the doctor if the symptoms persist.
The major ingredients used in manufacturing hydralyte include glucose, sodium, potassium, chloride, and citrate. Therefore, the electrolytes in this product are citric acid, sodium from sodium chloride, potassium from potassium chloride, and sodium from sodium bicarbonate. The ingredients in the hydralyte can allow the fluids to enter the bloodstream rapidly.
What is the Difference Between Gastrolyte and Hydralyte?
The key difference between gastrolyte and hydralyte is that gastrolyte contains a high amount of sugar, whereas hydralyte contains a low amount of sugar. The content of sugar in gastrolyte is about 3.56 g per sachet, while hydralyte has a low sugar content that is about 1.5-1.6 g.
The below infographic presents the differences between gastrolyte and hydralyte in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Gastrolyte vs Hydralyte
Gastrolyte and hydralyte are oral rehydration solutions useful in managing fluid loss due to diarrhea and vomiting. The key difference between gastrolyte and hydralyte is that gastrolyte contains a high amount of sugar, whereas hydralyte contains a low amount of sugar.
Reference:
1. “Hydralyte Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing.” WebMD.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Woman Drinking Water” by Andrea Piacquadio (CC0) via Pexels
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