How Long Can Pedialyte Sit Out?

Dehydration is serious, which is why there are products on the shelves to solve this problem. There are several reasons why a person might become dehydrated, but it’s essential to resolve this, and Pedialyte is one of those drinks that can solve those dehydration problems. But, how long can Pedialyte sit out?

Pedialyte comes in liquid and powder form. Each option comes stamped with the best use by date put there by the manufacturer. Once you mix the powdered option with water or open a bottle of the liquid Pedialyte, it must be refrigerated if you aren’t drinking it.

When Pedialyte is kept at room temperature, it can be easily contaminated with bacteria from something as small as touch contamination. Refrigeration slows down the growth of these bacteria, but they can still grow to a dangerous level even when refrigerated.

Once opened, bottled Pedialyte should be kept refrigerated and discarded after 48 hours. If you are using a powdered Pedialyte, the mixture should be refrigerated and discarded after 24 hours.

How Long Can Pedialyte Be Left Out?

Once you’ve prepared Pedialyte or opened the bottle, microorganisms from the surrounding environment begin to contact it through contact with the open air.

How Long Can Pedialyte Sit At Room Temperature?

Pedialyte bottles that haven’t been opened or the powder packets can be kept out at room temperature until the date on the packaging. Abbott Labs, the producer of this remedy for dehydration, puts a date on every container, so the consumer is aware of the best-buy date.

If you’ve already mixed your Pedialyte or opened a bottle, then you should drink it, give it to your child, or put it in the refrigerator. Pedialyte will begin to develop bacteria as soon as it comes in contact with the air and magnifies fast, which is why you can only use it in the next 48-hours. If it goes over that time, you should throw it away.

What’s In Pedialyte?

Pedialyte is a combination of sodium (sodium chloride, sodium citrate), potassium (potassium citrate), chloride (sodium chloride), water, dextrose, and citric acid. The product information informs us that Pedialyte is the #1 pediatrician recommended brand for dehydration.

Abbott labs created Pedialyte to battle dehydration, which many illnesses, including food poisoning, can cause. It was initially intended to help with children, which is why they gave it that name.

But a child isn’t the only person in your household that can become dangerously dehydrated. Adults who have severe diarrhea or are experiencing a lack of fluids in their system will also find that Pedialyte is the best solution.

Pedialyte For Children And Babies

Abbott Labs markets Pedialyte as an oral rehydration solution, which is much different than the electrolytes found in sports drinks like Gatorade. Pedialyte is perfect for babies and children who are ill and need to be hydrated.

Children and babies can become dehydrated more quickly than adults when experiencing a high fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. A lack of the fluids it needs the damage can be severe. This fact applies even more so to children and babies.

While Pedialyte is the best solution a parent can find without a prescription, we highly recommend speaking to a doctor or healthcare professional if your baby or child is suffering from signs of dehydration.

They may tell you to give them Pedialyte or suggest something else. It’s still a good idea to talk to a professional before starting a treatment plan.

Pedialyte For Adults

While babies and children are more prone to dehydration than adults, grown-ups still suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, and fever at times, and dehydration can be a result. Dehydration may also be a result of food poisoning and a hangover.

Because of its ability to rehydrate, adults can also benefit from drinking a Pedialyte. Experts say that it’s even better than water because it contains electrolytes, which are helpful when dealing with a loss of fluids.

How Long Can Pedialyte Sit Out?

When Pedialyte is in the original packaging but hasn’t been opened yet, it can sit out at room temperature until the date that the manufacturer put on the bottle or packet. If you’ve already opened a bottle of liquid Pedialyte or have mixed a Pedialyte powder pack with water, it is only suitable for 48 hours.

You should store Pedialyte powder packs added to water and open bottles of liquid Pedialyte in the fridge if they aren’t being used. Bacteria can multiply, and storage in the fridge will slow down that process.

How Long Can Pedialyte Stay Out?

When it’s opened or mixed with water, Pedialyte should be refrigerated. If you aren’t drinking it, get it in the fridge because bacteria can grow fast, and the cooler temperatures slow it down.

Once mixed or opened, Pedialyte is only suitable for 48 hours and shouldn’t be left out at room temperature.

If you or your child aren’t drinking it, put it in the fridge.

How Long Can You Leave Pedialyte Out?

Pedialyte powder packets and bottles of Pedialyte that have not been opened or mixed with water can be left out at room temperature until the date the manufacturer stamped on the packaging.

Open bottles of Pedialyte and powders that have already been mixed should not be left out if no one is drinking them. Get any leftovers in the fridge immediately. All open and mixed Pedialyte should be disposed of after 48 hours, whether it’s kept in the fridge or not.

How Long Can Pedialyte Last In The Fridge?

In the fridge, Pedialyte is only good for 48 hours. Due to the sugar content, Pedialyte is susceptible to bacterial growth when opened or mixed with water. Refrigeration slows down the process but even in the refrigerator that bacteria can grow.

This is the reason why the manufacturer recommends disposal after 48 hours.

Unopened bottles of Pedialyte will last in the fridge until the date that Abbott labs put on the bottle. But, once you open the bottle, that drink is only good for 48 hours.

Can You Drink Too Much Pedialyte?

No. Specialists made this drink with a precise balance of sugar, and Pedialyte tastes great. So, if you’re suffering from mild dehydration, start rehydrating with small amounts and see where it goes from there. A little bit at a time will result in feeling better. Just be sure to put that bottle of Pedialyte into the fridge if you’re finished with it, so it doesn’t spoil.

You can decide your consumption needs by taking the patient’s year of age and reading the instructions for an effective balance of sugar to help dehydration. Don’t forget that calling your doctor or healthcare professional should be the first step before starting any medical regimen.

Does Pedialyte Go Bad?

The shelf life of unopened Pedialyte may go bad if it moves past the expiration date, but we don’t recommend using it after that date suggested by the manufacturer.

Opened and mixed Pedialyte will go bad if you leave it out too long, Pedialyte will go bad faster at room temperature than in the fridge. But, even when refrigerated, Pedialyte will spoil in 48 hours because the sterile packaging is jeopardized the moment it is opened.

How Does Pedialyte Go Bad?

We are covered in bacteria that you cannot see, smell, or taste. When the bacteria get into your bottle of Pedialyte, they will begin to multiply. When we have direct contact with the opened bottle, bacteria from our hands can get into the drink.

The amount of bacteria at first is small, but they grow quickly.

Refrigerator temperatures will slow that bacterial growth, but it won’t stop. By the 48-hour limit, the bacteria will be so numerous that they can make you or your child ill.

Ironically, a product that can cure dehydration can cause stomach issues and diarrhea if it’s not stored correctly or consumed after the 48-hour time limit.

Pedialyte doesn’t contain preservatives, so be sure to get rid of it after the 2-day deadline or consume it all and throw it away if you can’t put it in the fridge. Bacterial infection proposes a risk of a second infection and can jeopardize your child’s immune system.

Remember this, bacteria love sugars, and they will love your water bottle full of Pedialyte and warm water.

How To Tell When Pedialyte Has Gone Bad?

Pedialyte may not have visible signs of bacterial infestation, nor may you be able to tell that’s it’s gone bad by taste or smell. This is why there are set time limits to how long you can keep Pedialyte on the shelf of your pantry or in the refrigerator.

If the Pedialyte is open or mixed and in the fridge, dispose of it after 48-hours. If you forgot the open or mixed Pedialyte on the counter and it’s been sitting out at room temperature for some time, throw it away.

Unopened bottles of Pedialyte and packets of powder should be disposed of after the expiration date on the packaging. When you use this product by the date suggested by the manufacturer, you ensure the highest quality in your drink or freezer pop.

Is It Okay To Leave A Sippy Cup Of Pedialyte Out All Day?

No. Bacteria can proliferate in Pedialyte that sits at room temperature. While Pedialyte is intended to cure dehydration, a baby who drinks a sippy cup full of bacteria could suffer gastrointestinal issues.

It could amp up that diarrhea and cause further dehydration problems. If you left a sippy cup of Pedialyte out all day, throw it away.

How To Store Pedialyte Correctly?

Unopened bottles of Pedialyte and powder packages be kept in the cabinet or pantry until the expiration date on the packaging. If the bottle has been opened or the powder has been mixed with water, you have to put it in the fridge right away if no one is drinking it.

Opened bottles of Pedialyte and powders that have been mixed with water are good for 48 hours in the refrigerator. They must be disposed of after the 2-day time limit. If they have been left out at room temperature, throw them away.

Bacterial growth is quick because Pedialyte doesn’t contain preservatives.

Using Pedialyte, powder packs, and Pedialyte freezer pops by the expiration date will ensure you will have the best quality.

Is Pedialyte Good For Hangovers?

Yes. While some adults stick to sports drinks, Pedialyte is a better alternative because it doesn’t contain at much sugar as Gatorade. Alcohol will dehydrate the body, and the electrolytes in this product will help you recover.

We don’t recommend drinking too much alcohol, which is what causes a hangover. But if you feel off after a night out, try a Pedialyte and see how much better you feel.

Conclusion

There are different varieties of Pedialyte, which is lovely for those with sensitive taste pallets. Experts created Pedialyte to help with childhood dehydration from illness, which can cause some severe health problems.

The main downside of this solution is you have to drink it right away or store it in the fridge when opened. Otherwise, it will only exasperate the issues the patient is already having.

My name is Keren Tayler. I am a stay-at-home mama to three lovely girls, Sarah + Rachel + Hannah. Prior to becoming a mom, I had a successful career in the accounting field, steps away from becoming a CPA. I decided to give up on my career in order to raise my own kids (as opposed to letting a nanny do it, no judgment here :)) I learned a lot and I love sharing it with other moms. Along the way, I also became a Certified Food Handler.