Sodium Bicarbonate - a tablet for removing acid from the body

Sodium Bicarbonate – a tablet for removing acid from the body

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Sodium Bicarbonate – a tablet for removing acid from the body

What is sodium bicarbonate?

Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is a medication used to reduce excess acid in the body.
In healthcare, it helps treat conditions where acid levels are too high, such as heartburn, metabolic acidosis, and certain kidney disorders.
It is available as tablets, oral solutions, and injections.

Uses

Sodium bicarbonate is used for people with:

Heartburn and indigestion: Temporarily relieves symptoms caused by excess stomach acid
Metabolic acidosis: Used in patients with high acid levels in the blood due to chronic kidney disease (CKD), acute kidney injury (AKI), dehydration, or severe infections – to correct low blood pH
Kidney stones: Helps make urine less acidic, which may reduce the risk of certain kidney stones
Emergency care: Intravenous sodium bicarbonate may be used in severe acidosis, drug overdoses, or cardiac arrest (hospital use only)

Dosage

⚠️ Always use sodium bicarbonate as prescribed by a doctor.

Oral Dose (Adults)

Dose range: 500mg – 1.5g, taken 1 to 3 times daily
Typical starting dose: 500mg BD

Intravenous (IV) Use

Given only in hospital settings
Dose is based on blood test results and the patient’s condition

Side-effects

Common side effects

Bloating or gas
Nausea
Stomach discomfort

Less common (but more serious) side-effects

Swelling of the face or legs
Shortness of breath
Muscle cramps or weakness
Confusion

Overuse may lead to alkalosis, a condition where the body becomes overly alkaline.

How Does it Work?

Sodium bicarbonate is an alkali. It works by neutralising acid.
It increases the pH of the stomach, blood, or urine, helping restore a healthy acid–base balance.
By acting as an alkali, it prevents damage that can occur when the body becomes too acidic.

Monitoring

Patients taking higher doses of sodium bicarbonate need monitoring.

Blood bicarbonate levels
Electrolytes (especially sodium and potassium)
Kidney function (creatinine/GFR)
Blood pressure

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