
Precautions

What does sodium bicarbonate do to the body?
Sodium bicarbonate's ability to neutralize acid helps treat conditions related to high acidity in bodily fluids, such as indigestion, which is caused by too much acid in the stomach. People commonly use sodium bicarbonate for indigestion.
Who should take sodium bicarbonate?
Sodium bicarbonate is indicated in the treatment of metabolic acidosis which may occur in severe renal disease, uncontrolled diabetes, circulatory insufficiency due to shock or severe dehydration, extracorporeal circulation of blood, cardiac arrest and severe primary lactic acidosis.
Can you take sodium bicarbonate everyday?
The FDA suggests a maximum daily dosage of 200 mEq sodium and 200 mEq bicarbonate in people up to 60 years old , and maximum daily dosage of 100 mEq sodium and 100 mEq bicarbonate in people over 60 years old for up to 2 weeks. Taking sodium bicarbonate by mouth in high doses is POSSIBLY UNSAFE.
When is the best time to take sodium bicarbonate?
If you are using sodium bicarbonate as an antacid, it should be taken 1 to 2 hours after meals, with a full glass of water. If you are using sodium bicarbonate for another reason, it may be taken with or without food. Do not take sodium bicarbonate on an overly full stomach.
Is sodium bicarbonate harmful to humans?
Sodium bicarbonate is generally safe when used appropriately. However, if misused, it has the potential for significant toxicity. Metabolic alkalosis, hypernatremia, hypokalemia, hypochloremia, and hypoxia have been reported.
Is sodium bicarbonate good for kidneys?
Our results show that sodium bicarbonate may slow the decline rate of kidney function and potentially significantly improve vascular endothelial function in patients with CKD.
How can I increase my bicarbonate levels naturally?
One way to increase bicarbonate levels is through alkali therapy, which could include taking sodium bicarbonate. Your doctor could also suggest taking another similar supplement, such as calcium citrate, calcium carbonate, or calcium acetate. Taking sodium bicarbonate introduces sodium (salt) into your body.
Does bicarbonate of soda affect kidneys?
"In fact, in patients taking sodium bicarbonate, the rate of decline in kidney function was similar to the normal age-related decline," says Yaqoob. Rapid progression of kidney disease occurred in just nine percent of patients taking sodium bicarbonate, compared to 45 percent of the other group.
Uses of Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets
1. It is used to treat heartburn and upset stomach. 2. It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
What Do I Need to Tell My Doctor Before I Take Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets?
1. If you have an allergy to sodium bicarbonate or any other part of this medicine (sodium bicarbonate tablets). 2. If you are allergic to any drug...
What Are Some Things I Need to Know Or Do While I Take Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets?
1. Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine (sodium bicarbonate tablets). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists...
How Is This Medicine (Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets) Best Taken?
Use this medicine (sodium bicarbonate tablets) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely. 1. Fo...
What Are Some Side Effects That I Need to Call My Doctor About Right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor o...
What Are Some Other Side Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help i...
How Do I Store and/or Throw Out Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets?
1. Store at room temperature. 2. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom. 3. Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the rea...
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets?
Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets?
Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine (sodium bicarbonate tablets). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
What are some other side effects of Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
What to do if you have questions about sodium bicarbonate?
If you have any questions about this medicine (sodium bicarbonate tablets), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction?
Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
What to do if you think you have an overdose?
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Can you take 2 sodium bicarbonate tablets at the same time?
If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
How does it work ?
This breakdown buffers the blood and makes it less acidic. This ability to neutralize acid helps treat conditions related to high acidity in bodily fluids, such as indigestion, which is caused by too much acid in the stomach.
What is sodium bicarbonate used for?
Because of this, sodium bicarbonate is often used to treat conditions caused by high acidity in the body, such as heartburn.
Why do people use sodium bicarbonate?
People use sodium bicarbonate for athletic performance, kidney damage caused by contrast dyes (contrast induced nephropathy), indigestion ( dyspepsia ), stomach ulcers, dental plaque, tooth discoloration, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. People also use sodium bicarbonate, ...
What is 21 CFR Part 331?
Food and Drug Administration Department of Health and Human Services. 21 CFR Part 331. Antacid Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use; Amendment to Antacid Final Monograph; Proposed Rule. Federal Register. 1994;59 (22):5060-5065.
What is the purpose of the CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION?
CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances.
Is sodium bicarbonate toothpaste better than triclosan?
Brushing teeth with toothpaste containing sodium bicarbonate might remove plaque better than using toothpaste with triclosan/copolymer or fluoride/silica. But not all research agrees. It is also not clear if sodium bicarbonate-containing toothpastes are more effective when used for a long time. Earwax.
Does sodium bicarbonate improve performance?
However, taking sodium bicarbonate does not appear to improve performance in females or non-athletes. Also, it does not appear to improve performance during exercises that last longer than 10 minutes and may not work as well if taken for many days in a row.
Components
Medically reviewed by Militian Inessa Mesropovna, PharmD. Last updated on 1969-12-31
Use: Labeled Indications
Management of metabolic acidosis; gastric hyperacidity; alkalinization of the urine; treatment of hyperkalemia; management of overdose of certain drugs, including tricyclic antidepressants and aspirin
Severity: Moderate
If any of the following side effects occur while taking Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets, check with your doctor or nurse as soon as possible:
Minor Side Effects
Some of the side effects that can occur with Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects.
What is sodium bicarbonate used for?
Sodium bicarbonate reduces stomach acid. It is used as an antacid to treat heartburn, indigestion, and upset stomach. Sodium bicarbonate is a very quick-acting antacid. It should be used only for temporary relief.
What are the symptoms of overdose?
Symptoms of overdose may include: muscle spasms, seizures. Notes. Lab and/or medical tests (such as calcium / potassium /sodium levels, bicarbonate levels) should be done if you are taking large doses or taking this medication for more than 2 weeks. Keep all medical and lab appointments.
What to do if you are allergic to sodium bicarbonate?
This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
What products interact with a syringe?
Some products that may interact with this drug are: aspirin and other salicylates (such as salsalate), corticosteroids (such as prednisone ), memantine, medications with a special coating to protect the stomach ( enter ic coating).
What are the side effects of a syringe?
Side Effects. Nausea, bloating, or gas may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Can sodium bicarbonate cause milk alkali?
When taken with sodium bicarbonate, large doses of calcium from your diet, medications, or supplements can rarely cause a serious problem called milk-alkali syndrome. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using calcium products safely while you are using this medication.
Where to store a syringe?
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicationsaway from children and pets.
What is this medicine?
SODIUM BICARBONATE (SOE dee um; bye KAR bon ate) is an antacid. It is used to treat acid indigestion and heartburn caused by too much acid in the stomach.
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth. Dissolve it in a glass of water before taking. Do not take tablets whole. Follow the directions on the package label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not take this medicine for more than 2 weeks unless your doctor directs you to. See your doctor if your symptoms return. You may have a serious medical condition.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
How long does sodium bicarbonate last?
Early research suggests that injecting sodium bicarbonate intravenously (by IV) for 3-5 minutes at 5 minutes of life does not improve survival or reduce the risk of brain damage in newborns that are unable to breath. Bowel cleansing. Chemical burns.
How long does it take for sodium bicarbonate to remove plaque?
Dental plaque. Brushing teeth with toothpaste containing sodium bicarbonate daily for up to 4 weeks might remove plaque better than using a toothpaste without sodium bicarbonate especially in areas of the mouth that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. However, research is limited.
Why is sodium bicarbonate used in the body?
Because of this, sodium bicarbonate is often used to treat conditions caused by high acidity in the body, such as heartburn. People take sodium bicarbonate by mouth for bowel cleansing, poor kidney function, indigestion, exercise performance, high potassium in the blood, reviving newborns, stomach ulcers, and urinary stones.
What is sodium bicarbonate?
Sodium bicarbonate is a salt that breaks down in fluids, including blood and urine, to form sodium and bicarbonate. This breakdown makes the fluid alkaline, meaning it is able to neutralize acid. This ability to neutralize acid helps treat conditions related to high acidity in bodily fluids, such as indigestion, ...
How long before exercise can you take sodium bicarbonate?
Exercise performance. Research suggests that taking sodium bicarbonate by mouth 1-2 hours before short-term, high-intensity exercise improves power during exercise in trained men. Other research shows that taking sodium bicarbonate by mouth or intravenously (by IV) up to 3 hours before short-term, high-intensity exercise improves performance. However, taking sodium bicarbonate does not appear to improve performance in females or non-athletes. Also, it does not appear to improve performance during exercises that last longer than 10 minutes.
Does sodium bicarbonate increase blood pressure?
People who already have high levels of sodium in the blood should avoid sodium bicarbonate. High blood pressure: Sodium bicarbonate might increase blood pressure.
Does sodium bicarbonate cause milk alkali syndrome?
Therefore, using sodium bicarbonate might increase the risk of complications such as milk-alkali syndrome.
What is sodium bicarbonate, and what is it used for?
Sodium bicarbonate is a chemical compound made of sodium and bicarbonate used to increase the alkalinity of the body. Sodium bicarbonate raises the pH levels in the body and reduces the acidity of body fluids and tissues.
Warnings
Do not administer to patients with hypersensitivity to sodium bicarbonate or any of its components
Overdose
Overdosage of sodium bicarbonate increases the alkalinity of body fluids which results in alkalosis.
What drugs interact with sodium bicarbonate?
Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking, who can advise you on any possible drug interactions. Never begin taking, suddenly discontinue, or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor’s recommendation.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
It is not known if sodium bicarbonate can cause fetal harm when administered during pregnancy, or if it can affect reproduction capacity; use if clearly needed
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Summary
Sodium bicarbonate is a chemical compound made of sodium and bicarbonate used to increase the alkalinity of the body. Intravenous sodium bicarbonate is also used as an antidote for metabolic acidosis due to toxicity from many drugs.
How much sodium is 8.4%?
8.4% concentration = 50 mEq in 50 mL. 8.4% concentration supplies 84 mg/mL, which also consists 1 mEq/mL for each sodium and bicarbonate. One ampoule of 50 ml contains 50 mEq sodium and 50 mEq bicarbonate to a total of 100 mEq/50 mL and corresponds to 2000 mosm per liter. This formulation is a hypertonic solution and can raise serum sodium concentration with the attraction of water to the extracellular areas from the intracellular area.
What is the effect of sodium bicarbonate on the body?
Carbonic acid subsequently converts to water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) for excretion from the lungs. The main therapeutic effect of sodium bicarbonate administration is increasing plasma bicarbonate levels, which are known to buffer excess hydrogen ion concentration, thereby raising solution pH to combat clinical manifestations of acidosis.
How long does sodium bicarbonate take to be administered?
Under arrhythmias and cardiovascular instability, sodium bicarbonate can be administered to adults at 4 to 8 hour IV infusions. Each dose should be monitored and planned in a standard protocol to help evaluate the degree of response expected and predicted to understand the necessity to advance further infusions or withhold administration, given its fluid overloading effects.
How does bicarbonate affect the kidney?
Bicarbonate is often a standard element of body fluids and is often regulated by the kidney via secretion or absorption methods to counter-regulate changes in serum pH. This action often leads to its second administration as it is known to alkalinize the urine, capable of changing precipitants in urine and providing a means of normalizing tubular acid concentration gradients to manage high fluctuations in serum acid-base status changes. This alkalization process enables compounds that would normally precipitate in the renal tubules in acidic conditions to be buffered within the renal tubule, thereby preventing mechanical or chemical damage while also providing increased efficiency within the kidney tubules to excrete acidified substances without disrupting the electrochemical gradient. [7][4]
What is nebulized sodium bicarbonate?
Nebulized sodium bicarbonate is an excellent option to treat chemical injuries resulting from chlorine gas, especially within the pulmonary mucosa. The belief is that the inhaled gas neutralizes when it reacts with water and bicarbonate within the respiratory system. [6]
How many MEQ tablets are needed for chronic metabolic acidosis?
Chronic metabolic acidosis: 50 to 100 mEq oral tablet can be initiated and titrated according to the ongoing evaluation of acid-base balance.
Does sodium bicarbonate affect acid-base shifts?
Due to its ability to buffer pH and influence acid-base shifts, sodium bicarbonate can also influence a multitude of drug-drug interactions . These include:
What is the purpose of sodium bicarbonate in kidneys?
Restoring metabolic balance by reversing metabolic acidosis is one of the goals in treating chronic kidney disease, and this is where oral sodium bicarbonate comes into play.
What is the hallmark of chronic kidney disease?
What you need to know. The hallmark of chronic kidney disease is metabolic acidosis, a condition in which the body pH rises above 7.4. This results in deleterious conditions such as low bone mineralization, muscle breakdown and insulin resistance.
How do kidneys maintain balance?
1 The more acids the body produces, the more phosphoric acid and ammonium the kidneys excrete — thus helping to maintain balance. However, all of this reverses with kidney dysfunction.
What is the pH of the kidneys?
Although there are several components to metabolism, the kidneys specifically balance acids and bases, helping your body maintain a slightly alkaline (basic) pH of around 7.4.
Does sodium bicarbonate help with acidosis?
Sodium bicarbonate naturally buffers retained acids in the body. Some clinicians believe that by increasing bicarbonate levels and enhancing the buffering effect, metabolic acidosis will decrease, along with many of its associated problems.
Can bicarbonate be used for kidney disease?
If you embark on a program with oral bicarbonate for chronic kidney disease, close monitoring of your dose and serum bicarbonate level is strongly suggested, preferably under the care of a nephrologist.
Does sodium bicarbonate lower GFR?
After five years, the rate of GFR decline was slower and total GFR was higher in patients given sodium bicarbonate than in those given placebo. Additionally, urinary indices of kidney damage also improved in the bicarbonate group. 8
