Oral rehydration salts vs Sodium bicarbonate
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Sodium bicarbonate was dispensed 3.4× as often as Oral rehydration salts in May 2026 — 54,107 items versus 16,090 in England.
16,090items
Oral rehydration salts · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
54,107items
Sodium bicarbonate · May 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 May 2026
| Measure | Oral rehydration salts | Sodium bicarbonate |
|---|---|---|
| Items, May 2026 | 16,090 | 54,107 |
| Items, last 12 months | 187,805 | 654,059 |
| Net ingredient cost, May 2026 | £210,668 | £488,777 |
See the full profile for Oral rehydration salts or Sodium bicarbonate.