Disodium Hydrogen Citrate
About
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate is a urinary alkaliser indicated for the treatment of renal tubular acidosis, gout and kidney stones. Kidney stones are small, hard deposits made up of calcium, phosphate and other minerals/acid salts that stick together in concentrated urine. Renal tubular acidosis is a condition in which the kidneys fail to excrete acids into the urine; this causes the blood to remain too acidic.
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate contains disodium hydrogen citrate, which metabolises to bicarbonate and increases the excretion of free bicarbonate ions; this increases the solubility of cysteine in the urine and ionises uric acid to soluble urate ion. This helps in increasing the urinary pH, thereby makes the urine less acidic.
You are advised to take Disodium Hydrogen Citrate for as long as your doctor has suggested it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects, such as abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, tiredness, nausea, and vomiting. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Consult your doctor before taking Disodium Hydrogen Citrate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Disodium Hydrogen Citrate. It is not known if Disodium Hydrogen Citrate affects your ability to drive; drive only if you are alert. Talk to a doctor before giving Disodium Hydrogen Citrate to children. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side effects.
Uses of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate
Medicinal Benefits
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate is a urinary alkaliser indicated for the treatment of renal tubular acidosis, gout and kidney stones. Disodium Hydrogen Citrate contains disodium hydrogen citrate, which metabolises to bicarbonate and increases the excretion of free bicarbonate ions; this increases the solubility of cysteine in the urine and ionises uric acid to soluble urate ion. This helps in increasing the urinary pH, thereby makes the urine less acidic. Disodium Hydrogen Citrate may also help to treat urinary tract infections.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate
- Abdominal discomfort
- Diarrhoea
- Tiredness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Disodium Hydrogen Citrate if you are allergic to any of its contents. Inform your doctor if you have hyperkalaemia (high levels of potassium), hypocalcaemia (low blood calcium levels), high blood pressure, oedema, increased alkalinity in the blood, urinary tract infection, or kidney dysfunction. Consult your doctor before taking Disodium Hydrogen Citrate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Disodium Hydrogen Citrate. It is not known if Disodium Hydrogen Citrate affects your ability to drive; drive only if you are alert. Talk to a doctor before giving Disodium Hydrogen Citrate to children.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Disodium Hydrogen Citrate may interact with diuretics (furosemide), antibiotics (tetracycline), anti-arrhythmic (quinidine), adrenergic agonist (ephedrine), decongestant (pseudoephedrine), barbiturates, salicylates, and corticosteroids.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have hyperkalaemia (high levels of potassium), hypocalcaemia (low blood calcium levels), high blood pressure, oedema, increased alkalinity in the blood, urinary tract infection, or kidney dysfunction.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid alcohol consumption while taking Disodium Hydrogen Citrate.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this; your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor before taking Disodium Hydrogen Citrate; your doctor will decide whether Disodium Hydrogen Citrate can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionIt is not known if Disodium Hydrogen Citrate affects your ability to drive. Drive only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionLimited information is available regarding the usage of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate in patients with hepatic impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have liver problems or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
unsafeAvoid taking Disodium Hydrogen Citrate if you have kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney dysfunction or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionLimited information is available regarding the usage of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate in children. Please consult a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Drink plenty of fluids as they help in flushing out excess minerals.
- Limit salt intake. High amounts of salt can increase the risk of kidney stones.
- Maintain a healthy weight by exercising regularly.
- Avoid foods rich in oxalates such as spinach, nuts, okra, dates, avocado, hot chocolate, cocoa, baked potato, French fries, and cereals, as they might increase the risk of oxalate stones.
Special Advise
- Disodium Hydrogen Citrate might interfere with urine ketone test. Inform the person doing the test that you are taking Disodium Hydrogen Citrate.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Kidney stones: Nephrolithiasis, also known as kidney stones, is a disease affecting the urinary tract. Kidney stones are small, hard deposits made up of calcium, phosphate and other minerals/acid salts that stick together in concentrated urine. They are the common cause of blood in urine and can be painful when passing through the urinary tract. Symptoms include severe pain, usually in one side of the abdomen and nausea.
Renal tubular acidosis: It is a condition that involves the accumulation of acid in the body due to the failure of the kidneys to alkalise the urine appropriately. The kidneys fail to excrete acids into the urine, which causes the blood to remain too acidic. If not treated, it could lead to kidney stones, bone disease, kidney disease or failure.
FAQs
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate raises the urinary pH, thereby makes the urine less acidic. This helps the kidneys to get rid of excess uric acid, and prevents gout and the formation of kidney stones.
Consult your doctor before taking corticosteroids with Disodium Hydrogen Citrate as it might increase the blood sodium levels.
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate contains sodium; therefore, talk to your doctor before taking Disodium Hydrogen Citrate if you are on a sodium-restricted diet or if you have high blood pressure.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Disodium Hydrogen Citrate for as long as suggested. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Disodium Hydrogen Citrate.
Diarrhoea might be a side-effect of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate. Drink lots of fluids and eat non-spicy food if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in stools (tarry stools) or if you have severe diarrhoea, consult your doctor. Do not take anti-diarrheal medicine on your own.
Consult a doctor before taking Disodium Hydrogen Citrate if you have an active urinary tract infection, as Disodium Hydrogen Citrate increases the urinary pH, which might promote further bacterial growth.
