Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid (medicine that neutralises stomach acid). It is used to relieve the symptoms of dyspepsia (indigestion), heartburn (a burning pain in your chest caused by food or acid from your stomach that backs up into your mouth), and hyperacidity (high levels of gastric juices in the stomach).
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Sodium bicarbonate exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Sodium bicarbonate is available as a tablet, oral solution, or powder for oral solution.
If you are taking the tablet, swallow it whole with a glass of water. Do not divide, chew or crush the tablet.
If you are taking the powder for oral suspension, shake the bottle well before taking the medicine to ensure the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.
If you are taking the oral solution, follow these steps:
- Open the bottle by pressing the cap and turning it counterclockwise.
- Use the measuring device (e.g. oral syringe) supplied with each bottle.
- To use the oral syringe, insert it into the perforated stopper and turn the bottle upside down.
- Fill the syringe with the appropriate dose.
- Administer the medicine directly from the oral syringe.
- Wash the oral syringe after use.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on the type of your condition and your response to the medication.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- respiratory alkalosis (a condition caused by low levels of carbon dioxide in the body causing the blood to become too alkaline (high pH)
- metabolic alkalosis (a condition when there is less acid in the body causing the blood to become too alkaline (high pH)
- hypokalaemia (low levels of potassium in the blood)
- hypernatraemia (high levels of sodium in the blood)
- hypocalcaemia (low levels of calcium in the blood)
- hypochlorhydria (low levels of stomach acid)
as Sodium bicarbonate may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- congestive heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
- high blood pressure
- swelling in your body associated with water retention
- cirrhosis (a condition characterised by scarring and damage to the liver)
- eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy)
- aldosteronism (a condition that causes too much aldosterone in the blood)
- low salt diet
- kidney disease
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Sodium bicarbonate to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Sodium bicarbonate should not be used to treat peptic ulcer (open sores in the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or lower food pipe).
Sodium bicarbonate may cause any of the following side effects: stomach pain, stomach wind, headache, nervousness, restlessness, high blood pressure.
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- lithium (medicine for mood disorder)
- methotrexate (medicine for cancer)
- quinidine (medicine for fast and irregular heartbeat)
- rifampicin (medicine for TB, a lung infection known as tuberculosis)
- certain antibiotics e.g. doxycycline
- medicines for fungal infection e.g. itraconazole, ketoconazole
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. dipyridamole, aspirin
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, gabapentin
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. captopril, enalapril
- medicines for malaria (a disease characterised by chills, fever and sweating that is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito) e.g. chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Sodium bicarbonate.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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