Sodium bicarbonate

Brand Names

Sodium bicarbonate, Neut, Baking Soda, Bell-Ans, Citrocarbonate

What is Sodium bicarbonate

Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid that commonly used to relieve heartburn and acid indigestion. It is soluble in water and very slightly soluble in alcohol. The major use of sodium bicarbonate is in foods, e.g., baked goods. It is used in effervescent "salts" and is sometimes used medically to correct excess stomach acidity. In some cases, sodium bicarbonate is effective to make your blood or urine less acidic in certain conditions.

Side effects of Sodium bicarbonate

The most common side effects of Sodium bicarbonate are considered to be the followings:

• increased thirst
• stomach cramps
• gas

If you have noticed any of these side effects, you have to contact your doctor as soon as possible:

• severe headache
• nausea
• vomit that resembles coffee grounds
• loss of appetite
• irritability
• weakness
• frequent urge to urinate
• slow breathing
• swelling of feet or lower legs
• bloody, black, or tarry stools
• blood in your urine

Indication

In general, Sodium bicarbonate is used to relieve heartburn and indigestion. It is also used to make the blood and urine less acidic in certain conditions.

Precautions

It is obligatory to tell your doctor if you:

• Are taking any other prescription and non-prescription medications, especially other antacids, aspirin or aspirin-like medicines, benzodiazepines, flecainide (Tambocor), iron, ketoconazole (Nizoral), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), methenamine (Hiprex, Urex), methotrexate, quinidine, sulfa-containing antibiotics, tetracycline (Sumycin) or vitamins. You should take sodium bicarbonate at least 2 hours apart from other medicines.
• Have or have ever had high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, kidney disease or if you have recently had bleeding in your stomach or intestine
• Are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding

Dosage forms

Sodium bicarbonate effervescent powder to relieve heartburn or sour stomach:

Adults and teenagers- 3.9 -10 grams (1 to 21/2 teaspoonfuls) in a glass of cold water after meals. However, the dose is usually not more than 19.5 grams (5 teaspoonfuls) a day.

For children up to 6 years of age, the dose should be determined by a doctor.

Children 6-12 years of age- 1-1.9 grams (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoonful) in a glass of cold water after meals.

Sodium bicarbonate powder to relieve heartburn or sour stomach:

Adults and teenagers- one-half teaspoonful in a glass of water every 2 hours. Your doctor may change the dose if needed.

For children the dose should be determined by a doctor.

Sodium bicarbonate to make the urine more alkaline (less acidic):

Adults and teenagers- one teaspoonful in a glass of water every 4 hours. Your doctor may change the dose if needed. The maximum dose should not be more than 4 teaspoonfuls a day.

For children the dose should be determined by a doctor.

Sodium bicarbonate tablets to relieve heartburn or sour stomach:

Adults and teenagers- 325 milligrams (mg)-2 grams 1-4 times a day.

For children up to 6 years of age, the dose should be determined by a doctor.

Children 6-12 years of age—520 mg (it may be repeated in 30 minutes)

Sodium bicarbonate tablets to make the urine more alkaline (less acidic):

Adults and teenagers—4 grams, then 1-2 grams every 4 hours. The maximum dose should not be more than 16 grams a day.

The starting dose for children depends on body weight and should be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 23-230 mg per kilogram (kg) (10.5 to 105 mg per pound) of body weight a day. But your doctor may change the dose if needed.