SODIUM BICARBONATE

Brand & Generic Names

Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda
Bell/ans
Citrocarbonate
Soda Mint

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? No
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Alkalizer, antacid

Uses

• Treats metabolic acidosis.
• Alkalinizes urine to reduce uric acid kidney stones.
• Treats hyperacidity of the stomach that is present with indigestion, gastroesophageal reflux and peptic ulcer disease.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablets--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.
Powder--Mix in a glass of water and drink.
Effervescent sodium bicarbonate--Mix in a glass of cold water and drink.

When to take:
For hyperacidity--1 to 3 hours after meals.
For kidney stones--According to prescription instructions.

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:
Buffers acid in the stomach.
Increases excretion of bicarbonate in the urine to help dissolve uric acid stones.

Time lapse before drug works:
Works immediately, but the duration of effect is short.

Don't take with:
Non-prescription drugs without consulting doctor.
See Interaction section and consult doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Excessive swelling of feet and lower legs.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

None expected.

Infrequent:

• Stomach cramps that continue.
• Nausea, headache, appetite loss (with long-term use).

Rare:

Muscle pain or twitching, nervous- ness, breathing difficulty, mild swelling of feet or lower legs (with large doses).

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to sodium bicarbonate.

Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have heart disease, kidney disease or toxemia of pregnancy.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
May cause weight gain and swelling of feet and ankles. Avoid if you have high blood pressure. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
No problems expected, but consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Not recommended. Safety and dosage have not been established.

Prolonged use:
Don't use for longer than prescribed or recommended. May cause sodium overload.

Skin & sunlight:
No special problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No special problems expected.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.

Others:

• Heat and moisture in bathroom medicine cabinet can cause breakdown of medicine. Store someplace else.
• May interfere with the accuracy of some medical tests (especially acidosis and urinalysis tests).

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Adrenocorticoids	Sodium overload.
Cortisone	Sodium overload.
Ketoconazole	Decreased absorption of
	ketoconazole.
Mecamylamine	Reduced mecamylamine effect.
Tetracyclines*	Greatly reduced absorption of
	tetracyclines.
Any other medicine	Decreased absorption of other
	medicine if taken within 1 to 2
	hours of taking sodium bicarbonate.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Decreased effectiveness of
	sodium bicarbonate.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	Decreased effectiveness of
	socium bicarbonate.