U-Lite Mechanism of Action

Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Sodium Bicarbonate is an alkalinizing agent which dissociates to provide carbonate ion. Bicarbonate is the conjugate base component of the principal extracellular buffer in the body, the bicarbonate: carbonic acid buffer. Sodium Citrate is metabolized to bicarbonates after absorption. Sodium Citrate and Sodium Bicarbonate act as urinary alkalinizers and cause alkalization of the urine by providing bicarbonate ions which is readily excreted in urine and increases the urinary pH in patients with normal renal function. They may therefore be given to relieve discomfort in mild urinary tract infections. By maintaining alkaline urine, the solubility and ionization of certain weak acids (e.g. cystine, uric acid) can be increased. This enables dissolution of uric acid stones and prevents the development of uric acid renal calculi in the initial stages of uricosuric therapy for hyperuricaemia in chronic gout.
Sodium Bicarbonate and Sodium Citrate also act as antacids by chemically neutralizing or buffering existing quantities of stomach acid but have no direct effect in its output. This action results in increased pH value of stomach contents, thus providing relief of hyperacidity symptoms.
Citric Acid is metabolized to carbon dioxide and water and has only a transient effect on the systemic acid-base status; it functions as a temporary buffer component.
Tartaric Acid is used as the acid ingredient primarily in preparations in which it is neutralized by a bicarbonate, as in effervescent salts, and the free acid is completely present or absent only in small amounts in the finished product. It is also used as a buffering agent.
Pharmacokinetics: After absorption, Sodium Citrate is metabolized to bicarbonates. Sodium Bicarbonate is excreted through kidney and also via lungs by forming CO₂.
Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid and absorbed Tartaric Acid are excreted through urine (less than 5% of the citrates are excreted in the urine unchanged).