I have looked and looked for rehydration powder in the pharmacies here in the US and never found it. In Mexico, Central America, South America and Africa you can find the packets in every pharmacy . . . and lots of other places as well. Why not in the US?
I could only find the packets online in the US — and with the shipping cost, they were ridiculously expensive. Nonetheless, I’d always carry some when we would be away from easy shopping or medical access (see my article on rehydration drinks in general if you’re not familiar with them and when they’re needed).
When I’d ask a pharmacist, they’d always point me to the bottles of Pedialyte in the pharmacy area. But I didn’t want to carry the bottles of Pedialyte — I just wanted the little packets of powder that you mix with water.
A few days ago, I had an A-HA moment. I was in the Infants department at Walmart, looking for a baby gift. And I ended up in the aisle where they stocked Pedialyte — I never dreamed they had Pedialyte in two places in the store! And there — in the infants department but not in the pharmacy — was Pedialyte powder — in 4- and 8-packs. It’s a little on the pricey side, at just over $8 for a 8-pack — but the packages are very convenient to have around if someone gets seriously ill. You can also make your own rehydration drink far more cheaply, but it’s not nearly as convenient — and sometimes, when you’re sick, convenience trumps price.
Since then, I’ve looked in the baby section of several pharmacies and grocery stores. The Pedialyte powder has been in all of them — I was just looking in the wrong place!
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Candy Ann Williams on Facebook says
I am going to put it on my Wal-mary list right now. Thanks Carolyn.
B. Charles Reynolds on Facebook says
You could just add iodized salt to water. About 1tbsp per 2qts.
The Boat Galley on Facebook says
Rehydration salts are NOT just saltwater. The World Health Organization formula is here (look halfway down for Make Your Own) — https://theboatgalley.com/rehydration-drink/ — and it uses 1/2 TEAspoon salt per quart of water, plus sugar and potassium. For an emergency kit, however, the packets are convenient.
Bill Dixon says
Pedialyte is for babies. Abbott Labs must be agonizing over the waste of advertising dollars. I can’t imagine looking for it outside the baby area of a store. Legend has it that it is good medicine for adult hangovers as well as dehydration.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Well, whenever we bought the powder in other countries, it was in the general pharmacy section. So I figured that’s where I’d find it . . . silly me!
Renee Klapper says
Thanks Bill! I’ll buy some just for that reason!
Larry says
I’ve used Pedialyte packets for emergencies but had used Gatoraide powder – UNTIL I read of the ‘flame retardant’ chemical included in the powder. Yuck!
I suffered severe dehydration while in the US Air Force (nearly died) and the doc ORDERED me to drink Gatoraide (1qt/day). TOO much sugar for MY taste!
Found Pedialyte after another trip to the ER for dehydration and kept the packets on me.
I originally found them in the baby aisle at Wal-Mart but lately they’ve been out. Want to find a more steady supplier – know of one online? Also Wal-Mart charges too much for my taste.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Unfortunately, I haven’t found anyone cheaper than Walmart — in fact, the others I’ve found are MORE! The only other suggestion I have is to make your own. The ingredients are fairly inexpensive, it’s just that the packets are convenient.
Larry says
WOW! Quick response!
Anyway, thought I’d pass this along. Just found it after posting my comment.
https://www.vitacost.com/ultima-health-products-ultima-replenisher-electrolyte-powder-lemonade-90-servings
I found this advertized through the ‘Nextag’ website.
30 packets for around US$16.
Tell what you think of it. (rather have raspberry than lemonaide any day!
Carolyn Shearlock says
Let’s start with me repeating that I’m not a doctor or nutrition expert. BUT — the big thing in a rehydration drink is the sodium and potassium — the electrolytes that you are trying to replenish — along with the sugar which WHO says is also important. That “replenishment drink” has NO sugar (it sweetens with Stevia) and almost no sodium or potassium. I don’t think it will do the job.
Velma Baker says
Coconut water works like a charm!
Barbara says
For those that travel with dogs or cats in hot climates, you can mix it with their water to rehydrate them. We are in Mexico and our little dog kept dehydrating. The vet had me give her some, orally, thru a syringe. She loved the apple and I started adding a bit to her water. She starting drinking more and the problem was solved. We carried a small amount with us at all times for emergency purposes.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Great to hear! Paz (our dog) will never drink it on her own, but doesn’t mind if we give her some in a syringe.
Sarah Morrison-Gardiner says
whats wrong with 1T sugar and 1/4t salt and 1 cup water?
The Boat Galley says
Nothing is wrong with making your own . . . but sometimes it’s a lot more convenient to just use a packet (and the packets also contain potassium)
JonandMiriam Brown says
We love this stuff! Most Walgreens and CVS stores also carry the powder.
The Boat Galley says
And again, I think it’s with the infant supplies . . . right?
JonandMiriam Brown says
The Boat Galley yes that’s correct – always in with the formula and baby food 🙂
The Boat Galley says
They never dream that us adults use it too!
JonandMiriam Brown says
The Boat Galley hubby and I both drink it – we keep the big and small packets on the rig (we’re truckers) and use it after running, or tarping a load in the sun! Gatorade is too harsh on the tummy for us. An ultra marathoner turned us onto it a few years ago!
The Boat Galley says
JonandMiriam Brown We definitely use it.
Ian Brookes says
Wow, I pay 15 cents a pack!
The Boat Galley says
Where?
Ian Brookes says
South East Asia ☺️ every pharmacy stocks them.
The Boat Galley says
That’s about what we paid in Africa and South America. Mexico was a little more. But like you say, available absolutely everywhere!
Ian Brookes says
You can probably make yourself, I am sure that there is a WHO formula.
The Boat Galley says
Thanks Ian — that link is in the article, too. And the recipe is in The Boat Galley Cookbook even. It’s important to know how to make your own, just sometimes not convenient.
Rene Starrett says
Awesome idea! On it.
Laure Simpson says
What does it taste like?
The Boat Galley says
Sort of sweet and salty. Funny, but if you are dehydrated, it tastes great . . . like some sort of special treat!
JonandMiriam Brown says
It’s really good when you’re super thirsty! It’s not as sweet as Gatorade.