Sodium Bicarbonate
About
Sodium Bicarbonate belongs to a group of medicines called alkalinising agents used to correct the acid-alkaline balance in the body. Sodium Bicarbonate is used to treat acid indigestion, heartburn, sour stomach, and stomach upset. Sodium Bicarbonate may also be prescribed to make the blood or urine less acidic in certain conditions.
Sodium Bicarbonate contains ‘Sodium bicarbonate’, which helps in neutralising the acidic pH in the stomach. Thereby, Sodium Bicarbonate helps to provide relief from acidity.
You are advised to take Sodium Bicarbonate for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience common side-effects such as dry mouth, urinating more than usual, and increased thirst. 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 the side effects persist or worsen.
Inform your doctor if you have high blood pressure, kidney, liver or heart disease, if you have recently had bleeding in the stomach or intestine or if you are on a low-salt diet. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or breastfeeding. Sodium Bicarbonate should not be given to children unless prescribed by the doctor. Avoid consuming alcohol as it could elevate the production of stomach acid.
Uses of Sodium Bicarbonate
Medicinal Benefits
Sodium Bicarbonate belongs to a group of medicines called alkalinising agents used to correct the acid-alkaline balance in the body. Sodium Bicarbonate is used to treat acid indigestion, heartburn, sour stomach, and stomach upset. Sodium Bicarbonate can also be prescribed to make the blood or urine less acidic in certain conditions. Sodium Bicarbonate helps in neutralising the acidic pH in the stomach. Thereby, Sodium Bicarbonate helps to provide relief from acidity.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate
- Dry mouth
- Urination more than usual
- Increased thirst
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Sodium Bicarbonate if you are allergic to any of its components. Inform your doctor if you have blood abnormalities, kidney stones, high blood pressure, kidney failure, heart failure, fluid retention, or if your breathing is slower than usual. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or breastfeeding. Sodium Bicarbonate should not be given to children unless prescribed by the doctor.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Sodium Bicarbonate may have interaction with antibiotic (doxycycline), pain killer (aspirin), anti-hypertensive (mecamylamine), NMDA receptor antagonist (memantine), anti-diabetic (chlorpropamide), anti-psychotic (lithium), diuretic (furosemide, bumetanide, ethacrynic acid), sympathomimetic drug (pseudoephedrine, ephedrine), CNS stimulant (amphetamine), anti-arrhythmic (quinidine, flecainide), potassium supplements, and corticosteroids.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have kidney failure, heart failure, high blood pressure, or fluid retention.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Sodium Bicarbonate. Alcohol intake leads to increased production of stomach acid, thereby increasing acidity and heartburn.
Pregnancy
cautionSodium Bicarbonate belongs to pregnancy category C. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant; your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor if you are breastfeeding; your doctor will decide whether Sodium Bicarbonate can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
safe if prescribedSodium Bicarbonate is unlikely to affect your ability to drive and handling of machinery.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionSodium Bicarbonate should not be given to children unless prescribed by the doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat smaller meals more often.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption. Alcohol intake leads to increased production of stomach acid, thereby increasing acidity and heartburn.
- Maintain a healthy weight by regular exercising.
- Avoid lying down after eating as it causes acid reflux.
- Avoid tight-fitting clothes as it might increase the pressure on the abdomen leading to acid reflux.
- Practise relaxation techniques and avoid stress by doing yoga or meditation.
- Avoid foods such as high-fat food, spicy food, chocolates, citrus fruits, pineapple, tomato, onion, garlic, tea and soda.
- Avoid sitting continuously as it may trigger acidity. Take a break of 5 minutes every hour by doing brisk walking or stretching.
Special Advise
- Check with your doctor before taking Sodium Bicarbonate if you are on a sodium-restricted diet.
- Regular monitoring of blood acid levels during the course of treatment with Sodium Bicarbonate is advised.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Acidity: The stomach is usually protected from acid by a mucous layer. In some cases, due to excess acid production, the mucous layer gets eroded, which leads to complications like acidity, heartburn, duodenal ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erosive esophagitis. Acidity occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the food pipe (oesophagus). This backflow (acid reflux) irritates the food pipe and causes heartburn. Symptoms include heartburn, sour or bitter taste in the mouth, and difficulty swallowing.
FAQs
Sodium Bicarbonate has alkaline pH, which helps in neutralising the acidic pH in the stomach. Thereby, Sodium Bicarbonate helps to provide relief from acidity and heartburn.
Do not take Sodium Bicarbonate for longer than two weeks unless prescribed by the doctor. If there is no symptomatic improvement despite using Sodium Bicarbonate for 1-2 weeks, consult your doctor.
Sodium Bicarbonate can be taken with other medicines if prescribed by the doctor. However, you are advised to maintain a gap of 2 hours between Sodium Bicarbonate and other medicines.
Dry mouth could be a side-effect of Sodium Bicarbonate. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking, drinking water regularly and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might stimulate saliva and prevent drying of the mouth.
