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Introduction
This leaflet tells you about St Mark’s Solution. Your doctor, stoma nurse, dietician or pharmacist can answer any questions.
What is St Mark’s Solution
St Mark’s solution is a salty and sweet drink. It helps your body take in water.
You can make it at home with cheap ingredients.
You may need this drink if you lose a lot of fluid from your stoma. If you lose more than 1½ litres a day, you may become dehydrated. This can make you feel unwell.
To stop this, you may need to drink 1 to 3 litres a day. You will be advised how much to take.
Sip it slowly through the day.
How to make the solution
Follow this recipe to make 1 litre:
|
Ingredient |
Weight |
Measures |
|
Glucose powder |
20g |
SIX level 5ml spoonfuls |
|
Table Salt (sodium chloride) |
3.5g |
ONE level 5ml spoonful |
|
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) |
2.5g |
ONE heaped 2.5ml spoonful |
|
Cold tap water |
1 litre |
|
Method
- Buy the powder ingredients from a supermarket or pharmacy. This is cheaper than getting them on prescription.
- Measure out the powders into a large jug or bowl.
- Add 1 litre of cold tap water.
- Stir until dissolved.
- Sip during the day.
- Throw away any left over after 24-hours.
- Prepare a fresh solution the following day.
If you need more than 1 litre a day
Some people need 2 or 3 litres of St Mark’s solution each day.
If this is you:
- For 2 litres – use double the ingredients and 2 litres of water.
- For 3 litres – use triple the ingredients and 3 litres of water.
Always sip slowly through the day.
Drinking the solution
You may find the solution tastes salty. You can improve this by:
- Storing the drink in the fridge and drinking it chilled.
- You can also freeze it and drink as a slush
- Sipping it through a straw
- Adding a small amount of squash, fruit juice or cordial. This is best added while making up the solution.
- Adding fresh lemon or lime juice
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Pharmacy service.
About this information
Service:
Pharmacy
Reference:
S/020
Approval date:
30 September 2025
Review date:
9 January 2028
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.