Sodium Bicarbonate (Systemic)

Brand Names : Arm and Hammer, Pure Baking Soda, Bell/ans, Citrocarbonate, Soda Mint

Proper Use of This Medicine

For safe and effective use of sodium bicarbonate:

• Follow your doctor's instructions if this medicine was prescribed.
• Follow the manufacturer's package directions if you are treating yourself.

For patients taking this medicine for a stomach ulcer :

• Take it exactly as directed and for the full time of treatment as ordered by your doctor , to obtain maximum relief of your symptoms.
• Take it 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime for best results, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Dosing - The dose of sodium bicarbonate will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of teaspoonfuls of powder or of tablets you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depends on the medical problem for which you are taking sodium bicarbonate .

• For sodium bicarbonate effervescent powder:
  • To relieve heartburn or sour stomach:
    • Adults and teenagers - 3.9 to 10 grams (1 to 21/2 teaspoonfuls) in a glass of cold water after meals. However, the dose is usually not more than 19.5 grams (5 teaspoonfuls) a day.
    • Children up to 6 years of age - Dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Children 6 to 12 years of age - 1 to 1.9 grams (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoonful) in a glass of cold water after meals.
• For sodium bicarbonate powder:
  • To relieve heartburn or sour stomach:
    • Adults and teenagers - One-half teaspoonful in a glass of water every two hours. Your doctor may change the dose if needed.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • To make the urine more alkaline (less acidic):
    • Adults and teenagers - One teaspoonful in a glass of water every four hours. Your doctor may change the dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 4 teaspoonfuls a day.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For sodium bicarbonate tablets:
  • To relieve heartburn or sour stomach:
    • Adults and teenagers - 325 milligrams (mg) to 2 grams one to four times a day.
    • Children up to 6 years of age - Dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Children 6 to 12 years of age - The dose is 520 mg. The dose may be repeated in thirty minutes.
  • To make the urine more alkaline (less acidic):
    • Adults and teenagers - At first, four grams, then 1 to 2 grams every four hours. However, the dose is usually not more than 16 grams a day.
    • Children - The dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 23 to 230 mg per kilogram (kg) (10.5 to 105 mg per pound) of body weight a day. Your doctor may change the dose if needed.

Missed dose - If you must take this medicine regularly and you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the powder or tablet form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.