What you need to know about sodium bicarbonate

Why should I prescribe this medicine?

Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid used to relieve heartburn and acid indigestion. Your doctor may also prescribe sodium bicarbonate to reduce the acidity of your blood or urine under certain circumstances.

This drug is sometimes used for other purposes; Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should I use this medicine?

Sodium bicarbonate is divided into tablets and powders, which can be taken orally. Take sodium bicarbonate one to four times a day, depending on the reason you take it. Carefully follow the instructions on the prescription label. If you don't understand anything, ask a doctor or pharmacist to explain. Take sodium bicarbonate as instructed. Do not take more or less, nor more than prescribed by the doctor.

If you are using sodium bicarbonate as an antacid, you should take it 1 to 2 hours after eating and drink a full glass of water. If you use sodium bicarbonate for other reasons, it can be taken with or without food. Do not take sodium bicarbonate when your stomach is full.

Dissolve the sodium bicarbonate powder in at least 4 ounces (120 ml) of water. Carefully measure the powder dose with a measuring spoon.

Do not use sodium bicarbonate for more than two weeks unless your doctor tells you. If sodium bicarbonate cannot improve your symptoms, call your doctor.

Do not give sodium bicarbonate to children under the age of 12 unless the doctor tells you.

What special precautions should I take?

Before taking sodium bicarbonate,

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about the prescription and over-the-counter drugs you are taking, especially other antacids, aspirin or aspirin drugs, benzodiazepines, Tambucor, iron, ketoconazole, lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), melamine (Hiprex, Urex), methotrexate, quinidine, sulfa antibiotics, tetracycline or vitamins. Take sodium bicarbonate at least 2 hours apart from other drugs.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had high blood pressure, congestive heart failure or kidney disease, or if you have recently had stomach or intestinal bleeding.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to be pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant while taking sodium bicarbonate, please call your doctor.

What special dietary guidelines should I follow?

This medicine will increase the sodium content in your body. If you are limiting your sodium diet, consult your doctor before taking sodium bicarbonate.

What if I forget to take a dose of medicine?

If your doctor tells you to take sodium bicarbonate on a certain schedule, as long as you remember, take the missed dose immediately. However, if it is nearly time for the next administration, skip the missed dose and continue your routine administration plan. Do not take double doses to make up for missed doses.

What side effects will this drug cause?

Sodium bicarbonate may cause side effects. If these symptoms are serious or do not disappear, please tell your doctor:

 thirst

 Gastric cramps

 Gas

If you have any of the following symptoms, please stop taking sodium bicarbonate and call your doctor immediately:

 Severe headache

 Nausea

Vomitus similar to coffee grounds

Anorexia

 Irritability

 Weaknesses

Frequent urge to urinate

 Slow breathing

Feet or calf swelling

Bloody, black or tarry stool

You have blood in your urine

If you have experienced serious side effects, you or your doctor can send a report to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) MedWatch adverse event reporting program.

What should I know about the storage and disposal of this drug?

Put the medicine in the container filled with medicine, seal it well and keep it away from children. Store at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded drugs should be handled in a special way to ensure that pets, children and others cannot eat them. However, you should not flush this medicine down the toilet. On the contrary, the best way to deal with drugs is through drug recovery programs. Consult your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about recycling projects in your community.

It is important to keep all medicines out of children's sight and reach, because many containers (such as weekly pill holders and eye drops, face cream, eye patches and inhalers) are not obstructed by children, and young children can easily open them. In order to prevent poisoning of young children, it is necessary to lock the safety helmet and immediately put the medicine in a safe place - a place up, away from their sight and out of reach.

In case of emergency or overdose

If you overdose, please call the poison control hotline. If the victim faints, has seizures, has difficulty breathing or is unable to wake up, please call 911 immediately.

What else do I need to know?

If your doctor prescribes sodium bicarbonate for you, follow all scheduled appointments to check your reaction to the drug.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs (over-the-counter drugs) you are taking, as well as any products, such as vitamins, minerals or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you every time you go to the doctor or hospital. This is also the important information you carry with you in an emergency.

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