Oral rehydration salts vs Sodium bicarbonate
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Sodium bicarbonate was dispensed 3.3× as often as Oral rehydration salts in March 2026 — 56,139 items versus 17,040 in England.
17,040items
Oral rehydration salts · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
56,139items
Sodium bicarbonate · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Oral rehydration salts versus Sodium bicarbonate: national items dispensed by month
▬ Oral rehydration salts · ╌ Sodium bicarbonate
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026
| Measure | Oral rehydration salts | Sodium bicarbonate |
|---|---|---|
| Items, March 2026 | 17,040 | 56,139 |
| Items, last 12 months | 192,074 | 646,801 |
| Net ingredient cost, March 2026 | £241,345 | £514,563 |
See the full profile for Oral rehydration salts or Sodium bicarbonate.