U-Lite

Active Ingredients: Each 4.1 g sachet contains Sodium Bicarbonate 1.76 g, Citric Acid 0. 72 g, Sodium Citrate 0.63 g, Tartaric Acid 0.89 g.
This preparation contains 650 mg of sodium per sachet.
When the granules are reconstituted, it effervesces into a clear solution with a hint of orange smell.

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).

U-Lite Effervescent Granules is indicated to relieve the burning discomfort caused by mild urinary tract infections. It also helps to reduce the formation of uric acid and cystine calculi in chronic gout. It may enhance the action of certain antibiotics such as Sulphonamide and relieves symptoms associated with gastric hyperacidity.

Dissolve the content of 1 to 2 sachets in a glass of water (200 ml). May be taken 4 times daily or as prescribed.
Drink after the effervescence has settled down to avoid eructation/belching.

Bicarbonates: Excessive use of Bicarbonate or bicarbonate-forming compounds may lead to hypokalaemia and systemic/metabolic alkalosis, especially in patients with impaired renal function. Symptoms include mood changes, tiredness, slow breathing, muscle weakness, and irregular heartbeat. Muscle hypertonicity, twitching, and tetany may develop, especially in hypocalcaemic patients. Discontinue the product if these symptoms occur.
Treatments of metabolic alkalosis associated with bicarbonate overdose consist mainly of appropriate correction of fluid and electrolyte balance, Replacement of calcium chloride, and potassium ions may be of particular importance.
Sodium Salts: Overdose of Sodium Salts may also lead to sodium overloading, hypernatremia and hyperosmolality. Discontinue the product if symptoms of hypernatremia include weakness, restlessness, swollen tongue, thirst, reduced salivation and lachrymation, skin flushes, dizziness, headache, pyrexia, oliguria, hypertension or hypotension, confusion, delirium, neuromuscular excitability, seizures, coma, tachycardia, hyperpnoea and respiratory arrest occur.
Treatments should be symptomatic and supportive to correct any abnormalities.
Citrate: An excessive dose of Citrate irritates the gastrointestinal mucosa and may cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, laxative effects, oedema & convulsions. Discontinue the product if these symptoms occur.
Treatments should be symptomatic and supportive to correct any abnormalities.

Contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment or renal failure, hypernatremia, overt and occult cardiac failure, severe myocardial damage, respiratory alkalosis, hypocalcemia, hypochloremia, hypochlorhydria, Addison's disease, acute dehydration and heat cramps.
Not recommended in concomitant use with hexamine mandelate or hexamine hippurate therapy because acid urine is needed to be activated.
Concomitant use of urinary alkalinisers and quinolone antibiotics should also be avoided because crystalluria may be more likely to occur in alkaline urine.

Sodium Salts should be used with caution in patients with hypertension, heart failure, peripheral or pulmonary oedema, renal impairment, pre-eclampsia, or other conditions associated with sodium retention.
This preparation contains 650 mg of sodium per sachet which should be taken into account by those on a low sodium diet.
Caution should be taken in patients with peptic ulceration and patients with renal abnormalities to avoid the condition of metabolic alkalosis.
Monitor serum electrolytes, especially bicarbonate, in patients with renal disease.
Caution should also be taken in patients with cirrhosis, toxemia of pregnancy, concurrent corticosteroids or aluminium-based gels.
If symptoms persist, consult a doctor.

Teratogenicity/Effects in Pregnancy Fetal risk cannot be ruled out. Available evidence is inconclusive or is inadequate for determining fetal risk when used in pregnant women or women of childbearing potential. Weigh the potential benefits of drug treatment against potential risks before prescribing this drug during pregnancy. Frequent use of Sodium Bicarbonate as an antacid may result in metabolic alkalosis and fluid overload in both mother and fetus.
Breastfeeding Infant risk cannot be ruled out. Available evidence and/or expert consensus is inconclusive or is inadequate for determining infant risk when used during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits of drug treatment against potential risks before prescribing this drug during breastfeeding.

Sodium Bicarbonate may cause stomach cramps, belching, flatulence, and vomiting and it has been reported to result in spontaneous stomach rupture.
The tartrate component of U-Lite may be incompletely absorbed. Because of this U-Lite may exert a mild laxative effect.
Prolonged and excessive use may cause systemic alkalosis and/or hypernatremia.

Alkalinization of the urine may lead to increase renal clearance and decrease therapeutic effect of lithium and acidic drugs such as chlorpropamide, salicylates, tetracyclines and barbiturates.
Conversely, alkalinization of the urine prolongs the half-life and may result in increased therapeutic effect or toxicity of basic drugs e.g. amphetamines and ephedrine/pseudoephedrine.
The effect of oral bicarbonate or bicarbonate-forming compounds in raising intra-gastric pH may reduce or increase the rate and/or extent of absorption of a number of drugs including antacids, laxatives and other antibiotics.
Concurrent use of antacids with citrates may result in systemic alkalosis.
Concomitant administration of antacids with Sodium Citrate salts and Sodium Bicarbonate may promote the development of calcium stones in patients with uric acid stones and may also cause hypernatremia.
Concurrent use of aluminium-containing antacids with citrate salts can increase aluminum absorption, possibly resulting in acute aluminium toxicity, especially in patients with renal insufficiency.
Citrates may reduce the solubility of quinolones e.g. ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin or ofloxacin in the urine. Crystalluria and nephrotoxicity may result.
Hexamine hippurate/mandelate (inactive) is hydrolysed to formaldehyde (active) in acidic urine. Sodium Citrate/Bicarbonate alkalinizes the urine preventing formation of formaldehyde and thus reduces the antibacterial effect of hexamine.
Combination should be avoided. Concurrent administration of citrates with laxatives may have an additive effect.

Store below 30°C. Protect from light and moisture.
Shelf Life: 3 years from the date of manufacture.

Other Drugs Acting on the Genito-Urinary System

G04BX - Other urologicals ; Used in the treatment of urological problems.

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