For the last couple of months, Dioralyte has been out of stock. It is clear we have a Dioralyte shortage. All supermarkets and pharmacies have been affected. I will discuss Dioralyte alternative products and comment on their availability.
Table of Contents
What is Dioralyte?
Dioralyte is a powder for reconstitution (mixing with water) which contains electrolytes used to rehydrate and correct electrolyte balance in infants, children or adults. Dioralyte is commonly recommended to individuals who experience watery diarrhoea. The main ingredients found in Dioralyte sachets include*:
- Glucose (3.56g)
- Sodium chloride (0.47g)
- Potassium chloride 0.30g
- Disodium hydrogen citrate 0.53g
*composition of Dioralyte Blackcurrant Sachets. Each Dioralyte Blackcurrant sachet contains also approximately 300 mg of sodium.
Dioralyte is suitable for adults and children over 3 months of age.
Dioralyte comes in lemon, blackcurrant, raspberry flavours and natural.
Why is Dioralyte out of stock?
Disappointingly, Sanofi which produces Dioralyte has not made any official comments on the availability of Dioralyte, despite ongoing supply issues. One website (New York Post) stated that Sanofi ‘blames was in Ukraine and the macroeconomic situation for causing a shortage.’
Are all Dioralyte products out of stock?
Dioralyte shortage affected all products in the range. Some intermediate supply of Dioralyte in the last couple of months was observed. Products which became available were mainly Dioralyte Relief and larger packs of 20 Dioralyte sachets.
Dioralyte Relief has a similar composition of electrolytes in each sachet. Dioralyte Relief has additionally pre-cooked rice powder (6g per sachet). Pre-cooked rice helps to stop watery stools.
In the last few months mainly blackcurrant and raspberry flavours came back in stock occasionally.
Dioralyte alternatives
1. SOS rehydration as Dioralyte alternative
SOS hydration took advantage of Dioralyte shortage. SOS can be easily ordered directly from SOS hydration and sold in pharmacies. SOS range includes stick sachets and pouches. Stick sachets like Dioralyte are mixed with water.
SOS hydration sticks come in different flavours including:
- Watermelon
- Berry
- Lemon and lime
- Mango
- Coconut
What electrolytes are included in the SOS range?
- Sodium citrate
- Potassium chloride
Each product also includes minerals like zinc.
SOS advertises its electrolyte and mineral drinks formula as providing 3x faster hydration and 3x less sugar.
SOS range includes SOS Kids which comes in different flavours:
- Soaring Strawberry
- Splashing Lemonade
- PAWsome Mixed Berry
A variety pack contains a combination of all flavours. SOS Kids has Zinc and Vitamin C added alongside electrolytes. SOS Kids packaging features Paw Patrol puppies, which may improve some children’s attitudes and compliance.
Despite not being advertised as a rehydration treatment due to diarrhoea, for example, SOS can certainly be beneficial as a rehydration product.
Can you get SOS on the prescription?
I listed SOS as the first Dioralyte alternative as SOS can be prescribed by a doctor. Some patients get rehydration sachets prescribed due to their medical condition. I have seen GP successfully changing patients from Dioralyte to SOS with an improved and continuous supply of SOS.
2. O.R.S
O.R.S has a wide range of rehydration products including O.R.S Sport, O.R.S Hydration and O.R.S Immune. O.R.S range comes in form of rehydration tablets, which are dissolved in the water. O.R.S comes in three flavours:
- Blackcurrant
- Lemon
- Strawberry
O.R.S contains potassium and sodium chloride, found in both previously reviewed products.
Who can use O.R.S?
O.R.S can be used by children and adults. There is no specific minimum age recommended by O.R.S for using its products. O.R.S can be used to rehydrate individuals due to illness.
Are O.R.S tablets short in supply?
O.R.S is usually available in most supermarkets and larger pharmacy chains like Lloyds and Boots. It seems however O.R.S availability has been affected by the increased demand due to Dioralyte shortage. O.R.S is available on Amazon or directly at the O.R.S website.
3. Dioralyte alternative: Lucozade Fitwater
Lucozade is a well-known brand of sports drinks. Lucozade Fitwater is spring water with added electrolytes. Four key electrolytes found in Lucozade Fitwater are Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium & Chloride.
Although marketed for people who exercise, Lucozade Fitwater definitely is a good choice as the Dioralyte alternative. On top of that Lucozade Fitwater does not have any taste as all other alternatives reviewed in this post.
Lucozade Fitwater is available in supermarkets and online.
4. SIS Hydro as a Dioralyte alternative
Science in Sport (SIS) Hydro is another brand of electrolyte mix. As the name suggests SIS is a range of electrolytes which targets individuals who exercise allowing them to stay well hydrated during a workout. SIS range includes electrolyte powders, tablets and gels. The main ingredients may vary between different products. Electrolytes are included in the range of SIS products.
SIS Hydro for example contains the following electrolytes: Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Tricalcium Phosphate, and Magnesium Carbonate. Other active ingredients may include Vitamin C or Bs.
Who can use SIS?
No information is provided on whether the SIS range can be used by adultescents below 18 years of age. Despite being mainly aimed at people who exercise, SIS can provide with necessary rehydration to other individuals.
SIS is available in supermarkets, online (on Amazon.co.uk – direct link) and on the SIS website.
- Pink Grapefruit Flavour Hydration Tablets: Includes 1 bottle with 20 vegan hydration tablets, pink grapefruit flavour plus electrolytes
- Plus Electrolytes: Contains just the right amount of scientifically researched clinical doses of all your body's essential electrolytes, to ensure you can go further for longer by dramatically reducing fatigue from electrolyte imbalances
- High in Sodium: Meets your sodium requirement at a specific concentration (30 mmol/Litre) that is scientifically proven to produce superior hydration compared to water alone
- Vegan Approved: Vegan and gluten-free hydration tablets with natural flavours, B vitamins and zero sugar
- Pioneer in Sports Nutrition: Since being established in 1992, Science In Sport has been an industry-leading company, working with research institutes, elite athletes, performance directors, and sports scientists
5. PhD Hydro
PhD has an extensive range of supplements. In its range, only one product fits into Dioralyte alternatives. PhD Hydro effervescent tablets contain five electrolytes, Vitamins B1, B2, B6 and green tea extract. PhD hydro tablets can be purchased directly on the phd.com website.
6. Precision Engineered Electrolyte Formula
Precision Engineered Electrolyte Formula tablets (available in Holland & Barrett) provide five essential electrolytes in an alternative form. Electrolyte Formula tablets can be used to help your body maintain fluid balance. Customers who choose tablet form of electrolytes must ensure adequate hydration with water.
Customers have a choice of different brands of electrolyte tablets. Amazon sells a variety of electrolyte tablets and powders. MyProtein Electrolytes Plus Tablets are one of the most popular electrolyte tablets on Amazon.co.uk
7. Dioralyte ‘generic’ alternatives
Different ‘generic’ forms of Dioralyte are usually sold by supermarkets, and pharmacies, for example, Boots Rehydration Treatment sachets, Tesco Rehydration Treatment sachets etc. Most Dioralyte alternatives are currently not available.
Upset stomach? Which medicine can you use?
Adults and children over the age of 12 can use loperamide (Imodium) should they experience upset stomach (diarrhoea). Imodium is an effective drug, that ‘slows down’ the gut and thus helps with symptoms of diarrhoea. Loperamide can be used alongside rehydration products. Read more about imodium and imodium alternative drugs.
Conclusion
Dioralyte is currently short in supply with unexplained supply problems. This post reviewed few Dioralyte Alternative rehydration products. SOS hydration is one of the best choices, since it can be prescribed to patients, but also have products for children. The rest of the rehydration products do not specifically make any recommendations for children’s use. Lucozade Fitwater is also worth recommending since it comes in the simplest form with added electrolytes, allowing it to use by children and adults.
FAQ
What else can you use instead of Dioralyte?
Several rehydration produts can be used instead of Dioralyte, including: SOS hydration, SIS hydration, Lucozade Fitwater and other products.
What to drink to rehydrate quickly?
Water and products containing electrolyted can be used to rehydrate quickly .
