What is sodium bicarbonate?
Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid that neutralizes stomach acid. Sodium bicarbonate is used to relieve heartburn and indigestion. Sodium bicarbonate is also used to make the blood and urine less acidic in certain conditions Sodium bicarbonate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
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What are the possible side effects of sodium bicarbonate?
Stop taking sodium bicarbonate and seek emergency medical attention if you experience a
rare allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or
hives).
Stop taking sodium bicarbonate and notify your doctor if you experience
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
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How should I take sodium bicarbonate?
Take sodium bicarbonate exactly as directed by your doctor or follow the directions on the package. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take the sodium bicarbonate tablets with a full glass of water. Store sodium bicarbonate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
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What is the most important information I should know about sodium bicarbonate?
Do not take sodium bicarbonate or any antacids without first talking to your doctor if you take any other medications. Sodium bicarbonate contains a large amount of sodium. If you are on a sodium restricted diet or have high blood pressure talk to your health care professional before taking sodium bicarbonate.
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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medicine unless your doctor directs otherwise.
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What other drugs will affect sodium bicarbonate?
Before taking sodium bicarbonate, tell your doctor if you are taking mecamylamine (Inversine); methenamine (Mandelamine); ketoconazole (Nizoral); antacids; a tetracycline antibiotic such as tetracycline (Sumycin, Achromycin V, and others), demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Vibramycin, Monodox, Doxy, and others), minocycline (Minocin, Dynacin, and others), or oxytetracycline (Terramycin, and others). You may not be able to take sodium bicarbonate, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?
Sodium bicarbonate has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. There are no animal or human reproductive data. Some experts consider the use of sodium bicarbonate as an antacid during human pregnancy to be relatively contraindicated because of the availability of preferable therapeutic agents. Sodium bicarbonate should only be given during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.
Due to the undesirable side effects of sodium loading--edema and weight gain--the use of alternative antacids has been advocated by some experts.
In one unblinded, controlled study of the maternal and fetal effects of 150 mEq of sodium bicarbonate, use of the drug was associated with significantly elevated maternal arterial pH, pC02, and base excess and significantly elevated umbilical arterial pH, p02, and base excess at delivery. There were apparent adverse effects of the infusion on the mothers, and no mention of adverse effects on the fetuses or newborns.
There are no data on the excretion of sodium bicarbonate into human milk.
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Who should NOT use this medication?
- Metabolic or respiratory alkalosis.
- Hypocalcemia in which alkalosis may induce tetany.
- Excessive chloride loss from vomiting or continuous GI suctioning.
- Risk of developing diuretic-induced hypochloremic alkalosis.
- Oral administration as an antidote in the treatment of acute ingestion of strong mineral acids, since formation of carbon dioxide gas during neutralization may cause gastric distention and possible rupture.
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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking sodium bicarbonate?
Do not take sodium bicarbonate or any antacids without first talking to your doctor if you have: an intestinal problem or appendicitis; heart problems; high blood pressure; swelling of the arms or legs; kidney disease; liver disease; or problems urinating; Talk to your doctor before taking sodium bicarbonate if you are pregnant. Talk to your doctor before taking sodium bicarbonate if you are breast-feeding.
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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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Where can I get more information?
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