CITRATES

Brand & Generic Names

Albright's Solution	POTASSIUM CITRATE
Bicitra	POTASSIUM CITRATE &
Citra Forte	CITRIC ACID
Citrolith	POTASSIUM CITRATE &
Efricon Expectorant	SODIUM CITRATE
Liquid	SODIUM CITRATE
Lanatuss Expectorant	& CITRIC ACID
Modified Shohl's	TRICITRATES
Solution	Tricodene NN Cough
Oracit	& Cold Medication
Phanadex	Tussirex with Codeine
Phanatuss	liquid
Polycitra	Urocit-K
Polycitra-K
Polycitra-LC-
Sugar-free

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Urinary alkalizer, antiurolithic

Uses

• To make urine more alkaline (less acid).
• To treat or prevent recurrence of some types of kidney stones.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablets or liquid--Take right after a meal or with a bedtime snack.

When to take:
On full stomach, usually after meals or with food.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Increases urinary alkalinity by excretion of bicarbonate ions.

Time lapse before drug works:
1 hour.

Don't take with:
Any medicine that will decrease mental alertness or reflexes, such as alcohol, other mind-altering drugs, cough/cold medicines, antihistamines, allergy medicine, sedatives, tranquilizers (sleeping pills or "downers"), barbiturates, seizure medicine, narcotics, other prescription medicine for pain, muscle relaxants, anesthetics.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Convulsions, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Black, tarry stools; Discontinue. Seek vomiting blood; severe emergency treatment. abdominal cramps; irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath.

Common:

Nausea or vomiting.

Infrequent:

Confusion, dizziness, swollen feet and ankles, irritability, depression, muscle pain, nervousness, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, unpleasant taste, weakness.

Rare:

Slow breathing, tiredness.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to any citrate.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have any disease involving the adrenal glands, diabetes, chronic diarrhea, heart problems, hypertension, kidney disease, stomach ulcer or gastritis, urinary tract infection, toxemia of pregnancy.
• If you plan strenuous exercise.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. Ask doctor about smaller doses.

Pregnancy:
Safety to unborn child unestablished. Avoid if possible.

Breast-feeding:
Safety during lactation not established. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Use only under close medical supervision.

Prolonged use:

• Adverse reactions more likely.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), serum electrolytes, urine.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:

• Drink at least 8 ounces of water or other liquid (except milk) every hour while awake.
• Liquid may be chilled (don't freeze) to improve taste.
• Monitor potassium in blood with frequent laboratory studies.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Amphetamines*	Increased amphetamine effect.
Antacids*	Toxic effect of citrates
	(alkalosis).
Calcium	Increases risk of
supplements*	kidney stones.
Digitalis*	Increased risk of too much
	potassium in blood.
Methenamine	Decreases effects of methenamine.
Mexiletine	May slow elimination of mexiletine
	and cause need to adjust dosage.
Quinidine	Prolongs quinidine effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Will decrease mental alertness.
Salt-free milk.	May cause potassium toxicity.
Cocaine:	No proven problems.
Milk, cheese, ice	May increase likelihood of
cream, yogurt,	kidney stones.
Marijuana:	No proven problems.
Tobacco:	Increases likelihood of stomach
	irritation.