Sodium bicarbonate is a drug to treat metabolic acidosis, overly acidic urine, and excess stomach acid. The drug works by breaking down sodium and bicarbonate in water to form alkaline that neutralizes acids.
Sodium bicarbonate is available in the form of tablets and injectable liquids. In addition to being used as an acid neutralizer, sodium bicarbonate is also used as an ingredient for cooking and is known as baking soda.
Warning Before Using Sodium Bicarbonate
There are several things that you need to pay attention to before using sodium bicarbonate, among others:
- Do not use this drug if you have an allergy to sodium bicarbonate.
- Do not use this drug when you are on a diet low in salt, since it contains sodium (salt).
- Tell your doctor your medical history, especially if you have experienced heart failure, bleeding in the intestines, appendicitis, or peptic ulcers, and suffer from hypertension, kidney disorders, liver disease, hypocalcemia, hypernatremia, or limb edema.
- Tell your doctor which medications, supplements and herbal products you are using.
- Do not give this medicine to children and the elderly. Sodium bicarbonate for children or the elderly should only be consumed based on a doctor’s prescription.
- In case of an allergic reaction or drug overdose after using sodium bicarbonate, see a doctor immediately.
Sodium Bicarbonate Uses
Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid drug used to relieve stomach ulcers and indigestion. Sodium which is a common form of tablets and powders can also be referred to as baking soda. Your doctor may prescribe sodium bicarbonate to reduce acid levels in your blood or urine associated with certain health conditions.
Sodium Bicarbonate Dosage
For metabolic acidosis
The use of sodium bicarbonate for metabolic acidosis conditions in older persons can be given a solution of 50 – 150 mEq of sodium bicarbonate in 1 L of dextrose 5% (D5W) solution can then be administered via intravenous infusion at a rate of 1 – 1.5 L/h for the first 1 hour. In children are given a dose of 2-5 mEq/kg IV infusion for 4-8 hours.
For diabetic ketoasidosis
While in diabetic ketoasidosis conditions are allowed when the arterial blood pH between 6.9-7.1 with tissue perfusion and adequate breathing ventilation, can be given a dose of 50 mEq dissolved in 1 L of the desired solution.
For chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Oral administration of this drug for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients who have acidosis is given 3×500-1000 mg per day reportedly able to lower the risk of requiring dialysis. In addition, this drug is also useful to reduce CKD progressivity. The recommended sodium bicarbonate content for CKD is serum <22 mEq/L.
For alkalinization of urine
The use of this drug in the condition of alkalinization of urine is commonly used in cases of intoxication or overdose and can be given a dose of 50-150 mEq dissolved in 1 L D5W administered intravenously at a rate of 1-1.5 L / hour, and can be increased to 100-150 mEq / L. Dose administration is adjusted to the desired urine pH.
While in children patients aged 0-12 years for the condition of urinary alkalinization can be given a dose of 1-10 mEq (84-840 mg)/kg/day per oral divided into several doses. As for children aged 12-18 years can be given at a dose of 325-2000 mg per oral as much as 1-4 times per day.
For hyperkalemia
The use of sodium bicarbonate for hyperkalemia can be given a dose of 1 ampoule or the equivalent of 50 mEq, injected slowly (>5 minutes) and can be repeated every 10-15 minutes.
For cardiac arrest
In cardiac arrest conditions, it can be given 1 mEq/kg IV slowly, it can be repeated at a dose of 0.5 mEq/kg after 10 minutes.
For dyspepsia
While its use for dyspepsia conditions can be given a dose of 325 – 2000 mg per oral is given 1-4 times per day.
As antacids
In addition, the use of this drug as antacids is only intended as a temporary symptom reliever and is not used as a long-term therapy.
