Sodium Bicarbonate Medication

Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is generally prescribed as a respite for heartburn and acid indigestion. When used for this purpose, it is referred to as an antacid. It comes in tablet form and as a powder to be taken orally. It should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist.

Uses

• Sodium bicarbonate is used primarily as an antacid. It can also be used to treat stomach disorders or duodenal ulcers. In certain conditions, it is prescribed to make the blood and urine more alkaline.

Precautions

• Antacids should not be given to children under the age of six unless otherwise prescribed by a doctor. Even for adults it is advisable to consume sodium bicarbonate only after consultation with a doctor or pharmacist although it is available without a prescription--and that is particularly true for pregnant women. Patients on sodium-restricted diets should consume sodium bicarbonate tablets with caution since they contain large amounts of sodium. They should also not be consumed if there is any sign of appendicitis. Sodium bicarbonate tablets should not be consumed with milk or milk products since that increases the chances of side effects. Patients also need to check whether they are allergic to sodium bicarbonate. Medicines such as Dasatinib and Itraconazole are known to react with sodium bicarbonate, resulting in side effects.

Known Side Effects

• Sodium bicarbonate medication is known to have some side effects, even though the results vary from people to people. Some of the symptoms include an increased thirst, gas, loss of appetite, feet swelling, nausea, headache, stomach cramps, weakness, and blood in urine. If you encounter any of these symptoms after consuming sodium bicarbonate, you should immediately check with your doctor.

Storage Conditions

• Sodium bicarbonate tablets need to be stored in a tightly closed container at room temperature. They should be placed out of reach of children. Check the expiration date before using them.

Dosage

• The dosage of sodium bicarbonate varies and depends on the symptom that is getting treated. Always follow the doctor's instruction. For heartburns and sour stomach, adults and teenager should take about 3 to 10 grams of sodium bicarbonate powder in a glass of cold water after meals. In the tablet form adults and teenagers should take 325 milligrams to 2 grams one to four times a day. To make urine less acidic, adults and teenagers should have one teaspoonful of sodium bicarbonate powder in a glass of water every four hours. More than four teaspoonfuls should not be consumed. In the tablet form the dosage for adults and teenagers should not exceed 16 grams per day.