Pedialyte® Facts & Answers (2023)

Pedialyte is available in most retail and pharmacy locations. To find Pedialyte near you, use ourstore locator

Typically, Pedialyte is located in the baby/toddler aisle, but some retail locations stock it in the pharmacy as well.

This recommendation is intended to assure the proper evaluation and treatment plan for infants who take Pedialyte. A baby is at much greater risk of dehydration than an older child is, and it is important to encourage parents to discuss their baby's condition with a physician before rehydration during diarrhea and vomiting.

No, we do not recommend mixing Pedialyte with formula. When Pedialyte and formula are mixed together, the nutrient and mineral content of both would change, along with the osmolality. The mixture could also become clumpy and hard for your baby to drink.

While it is recommended that an infant or child continue breastfeeding during bouts of diarrhea and vomiting, since each situation is different, we suggest consulting with your health care provider to determine the best course of action for your child.

Once Pedialyte is opened/prepared, environmental microorganisms can potentially come into contact with the product from the air or from direct contact. For example, if someone touches the surface from which the product is poured, any bacteria on the person's hands can be transferred to the product. This is called touch contamination. The bacteria grow slowly at refrigerator temperatures, but over time, the amount of bacteria can become significant. Children with gastroenteritis are at increased risk of a second infection from these bacteria as their immune system is already working to fight the gastroenteritis.

We do not recommend freezing any of our Pedialyte products unless they are specifically designed to be frozen, like Pedialyte Freezer Pops. Pedialyte Freezer Pops contain an ingredient (carboxymethylcellulose) which keeps the pops from freezing solid (like ice cubes) and allows them to be more "bite-able." Pedialyte liquid or reconstituted Pedialyte Powder does not contain this ingredient.

Pedialyte is an oral electrolyte solution that is specifically designed to replace vital minerals and nutrients that are lost when a child has diarrhea with or without vomiting. Pedialyte is effective because it contains only a small amount of sugar (glucose) that is balanced with appropriate levels of minerals (electrolytes). Pedialyte is designed with this precise combination of sugars and electrolytes to promote fluid and electrolyte absorption. In general, common household beverages such as sports drinks, sodas, and juices are too high in sugar and too low in sodium—an important electrolyte that is lost during diarrhea and vomiting.

For infants under 1 year of age: Consult your doctor. For children 1 year and older: Begin with small frequent sips every 15 minutes, increasing serving size as tolerated. Continue for as long as diarrhea is present. To maintain proper hydration, 4–8 servings (32 to 64 fl oz) of Pedialyte may be needed per day. Consult your doctor if vomiting, fever, or diarrhea continues beyond 24 hours or if consumption needs are greater than 2 liters (64 fl oz) per day. Pedialyte Powder Packs and Freezer Pops are not for use for children under 1 year of age.

Often, a child needs to be rehydrated after diarrhea. Drinks that contain too much sugar, like sports drinks, soda, or juice, can draw water into the intestine, making diarrhea worse and increasing the risk of dehydration. Pedialyte contains an effective balance of sugar (glucose) and minerals (electrolytes), helping to prevent dehydration during diarrhea and vomiting. This balance is not contained in sports drinks, soda, or juice.

Yes, in general, an adult may use Pedialyte; there are no contraindications for its use in adults.

Pedialyte is used to help restore vital minerals and nutrients lost during diarrhea and vomiting. While it does contain carbohydrates, it may or may not contain enough carbohydrates for someone with diabetes, especially if insulin is being used. Parents of children with diabetes should check with their pediatrician for specific guidelines on using Pedialyte.

No. Pedialyte is not indicated to stop diarrhea and vomiting, but it does help prevent the dehydration that can occur as a result of these symptoms. Unlike sugary sports drinks, juices, and soda, which can make diarrhea even worse, Pedialyte is formulated with a special balance of sugar (glucose) and minerals (electrolytes), which promotes absorption and hydration.

Abbott has systematic monitoring in place to assure our products are of the highest quality. Our products are stamped with a Use-By date, which can be found on the container. Abbott does not recommend consuming any product after the Use-By date listed on each package.