Uses
Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid used to relieve heartburn and acid indigestion. Your doctor also may prescribe it to make your blood or urine less acidic in certain conditions.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Side Effects Of Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- increased thirst
- stomach cramps
- gas
If you have any of the following symptoms, stop taking sodium bicarbonate and call your doctor immediately:
- 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
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking sodium bicarbonate:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, 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. Take sodium bicarbonate at least 2 hours apart from other medicines.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, or kidney disease or if you have recently had bleeding in your stomach or intestine.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, call your doctor.
Sodium Bicarbonate Dosage
Sodium bicarbonate comes as a tablet and powder to take by mouth. It is taken one to four times a day, depending on the reason you take it. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take sodium bicarbonate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
If you are using the medication 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 it on an overly full stomach.
Dissolve sodium bicarbonate powder in at least 4 ounces (120 milliliters) of water. Measure powdered doses carefully using a measuring spoon.
Do not use this medication for longer than 2 weeks unless your doctor tells you to. If it does not improve your symptoms, call your doctor.
Do not give sodium bicarbonate to children under 12 years of age unless your doctor tells you to.
Other
If your doctor has prescribed sodium bicarbonate, keep all scheduled appointments so that your response to the medicine can be checked.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
