Everything has an expiry date, and if used after the expiry date, these things can cause more harm than benefit. The same is true with one of the most common over-the-counter ORS drinks, Pedialyte.
Some people say that you have to use Pedialyte after two days, while if we look at the expiry date, it is written two years on the bottle. If you want to know more about Pedialyte and when Pedialyte expires, and the effects of Pedialyte if consumed after 48 hours, then keep reading.
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Does Pedialyte Expire? Pedialyte Expiration Facts
Like any product, Pedialyte also expires, but there is great variation in the dates of expiration, and this factor may confuse some people. To help you with Pedialyte expiration, here we will discuss the expiration date of all Pedialyte products.
What Is Pedialyte?
If your child has been vomiting or has diarrhea, the most common ORS doctors recommend is Pedialyte. Pedialyte is an over-the-counter ORS drink that contains salts, sugar, minerals, and vitamins.
What Is Dehydration?
Adults and children lose body water daily when they sweat, cry, and even poop. The body can replace the fluid and salt with the help of a normal diet under normal circumstances. However, sometimes children can suffer from excessive dehydration because of vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. A child doesn’t get dehydrated only because of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; sometimes, it can also be because of an unhealthy diet.
How To Check If My Child Is Dehydrated?
Dehydration is really common in children because of their sensitive bodies and developing immune systems. Their bodies cannot maintain homeostasis as effectively as adults. If you are feeling that your child is suffering from dehydration because of any medical condition and you are not sure, then you can check for symptoms such as
- Dizziness
- Dryness of mouth, lips, and oral cavity
- Darkening of urine and very less amount of urine
- Nausea and headache
- Thirst
- Coldness and numbness of hands and feet
- Lethargy
- Pale skin
- No tears on crying
- Sunken soft spots
Expiration Of Different Varieties Of Pedialyte
Pedialyte comes in different varieties, and each has its drawback and benefits. Also, each Pedialyte variety has a different expiration timeline. So you must ensure you get accurate information about the type you are using.
When Do Pedialyte Popsicles Expire?
When we talk about Pedialyte popsicles, we don’t mean homemade Pedialyte pops, but we are talking about single self Pedialyte popsicles available in the market.
Freezing things increase their expiration date, so frozen Pedialyte popsicles last for 6 to 8 months. These are also great for toddlers who like ice cream more.
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When Does Pedialyte Powder Expire?
The Pedialyte powder comes in single-serve sachet options and has a shelf life of a few years. If you want to purchase only part of the jug and you are also traveling, then these are the best options.
When Do Pedialyte Jugs Expire?
These are ready-to-use Pedialyte formulas and can last for two years when not opened.
If you have opened it, you must consume it within 48 to 96 hours. Also, keep them refrigerated for the next 48 to 96 hours.
Storage Of Pedialyte Before Use
Pedialyte should be stored in a cool area at room temperatures, such as a pantry or store room. You can store Pedialyte jugs and powder in the pantry, not Pedialyte popsicles. You must keep them in the freezer and use them within 6 to 8 months.
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Storage Of Pedialyte After Use
If you have opened Pedialyte and it is used, but your little one didn’t drink all of it, you can save it for later. Pedialyte popsicles should be discarded immediately and not be saved for later. Drinks made with the help of powder can be stored for just one hour. The longest you can store Pedialyte is 48 hours after opening, which is only valid for Pedialyte jugs.
Does Pedialyte Need To Be Refrigerated?
Yes, it is necessary to refrigerate Pedialyte. After opening, you can refrigerate open powder packets mixed with water.
Pedialyte jugs must be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 48 hours. Refrigerating Pedialyte slows down the growth of bacteria and fungi in it. It doesn’t mean that the bacteria and fungi are not growing in it.
Refrigerating can only slow down bacterial growth and will not stop it completely. Giving your child Pedialyte, stored for more than 48 hours, can worsen the situation instead of providing benefits.
What Happens If I Drink Expired Pedialyte?
Expired Pedialyte is neither safe for you nor for your child. If you drink expired Pedialyte or feed it to your child, then instead of fulfilling your mineral and water needs, it can cause food poisoning.
Drinking expired electrolytes can lead to complications and increase the risk of foodborne diseases.
Is Pedialyte Safe For All Children?
Generally, Pedialyte is considered a safe electrolyte drink and is one of the most commonly used in America. It is completely safe for most children, but a few exceptions exist.
Some Pedialyte drinks contain milk-drive ingredients that are unsafe for lactose-intolerant children. Some children may also have an allergy to dyes and are diabetic type 1 patients. For such children, Pedialyte is not safe and can provoke allergies in them.
If your child is suffering from excessive dehydration and, on giving Pedialyte, shows symptoms of allergy or feel irritated, immediately contact your pediatrics and stop giving them Pedialyte until your doctor advises.
Can you drink Pedialyte while pregnant? If this question is popping into your mind, then read our blog.
FAQs
What is a safe dose of Pedialyte for my child?
The dosage of the Pedialyte depends on the weight, age, and degree of dehydration; however, according to the rule of thumb, for a baby of 10 lb, you should give them two ounces of liquid per hour and increase it according to weight.
Is Pedialyte better than water?
If a child suffers from dehydration, Pedialyte is considered a better option than water because it can balance the body’s water requirements and fulfill the need for electrolytes. On the other hand, if the child is healthy, then water is best for them.
What is a natural alternative to Pedialyte?
If you don’t want to use Pedialyte for your child and go for healthier or organic alternatives, then coconut water is the best alternative.
What is the most healthy Pedialyte?
If you’re looking for the most healthy Pedialyte with zero sugar artificial color or flavors, then it is Pedialyte electrolyte water.
Conclusion
Like all food items and medications, Pedialyte has an expiration date, and people who question things like does Pedialyte expire, or what if I drink expired Pedialyte, then this guide is for such people.
Different Pedialyte forms have different expiration dates, which are also printed on them. You can check the expiration dates on their packaging, and when opened, you must consume almost all Pedialyte forms within 24 to 48 hours.
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