Sodium Bicarbonate Uses

This medicine is a white crystalline powder and an organic sodium salt with sodium ions and bicarbonate ions. Oral sodium bicarbonate is used to treat heartburn, acid indigestion, sour stomach, and upset stomach. 

In addition, healthcare professionals use sodium bicarbonate to alkalinize the urine, for example, in hemolytic reactions requiring alkalinization. A less acidic, more alkaline urine helps prevent the toxic effects of excessive blood pigments on the kidneys. (Hemolytic reactions are reactions in which there is an excessive breakdown of red blood cells.)

Sodium bicarbonate injection increases the serum concentration of bicarbonate and raises blood pH (makes the blood less acidic and more alkaline). It is used to treat metabolic acidosis associated with conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, severe renal disease, shock and severe dehydration, circulatory insufficiency, cardiac arrest, and severe primary lactic acidosis. It is also used to treat certain drug intoxications, including barbiturates, methyl alcohol, salicylates, and tricyclic antidepressant poisoning.

There may be other uses of sodium bicarbonate—your doctor or health system pharmacists can give you further drug information.

Sodium Bicarbonate Mechanism of Action

Sodium bicarbonate reacts with stomach acid and neutralizes it. Similarly, it reacts chemically and causes an increased pH value in urine (making it more alkaline and less acidic). Bicarbonate belongs to a group of serum electrolytes that affect acid-base balance in the blood. It ensures blood has the right amount of acidity. When it is given by injection, sodium bicarbonate acts as a blood alkalizer (it makes blood less acidic and more alkaline). 

Sodium Bicarbonate Doses

Sodium bicarbonate comes in 325 mg and 650 mg tablets and in powder form. The usual dose is as follows:

Sodium bicarbonate powder

• For heartburn: Adults and children 12 years of age and older should mix half a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate powder in a glass of water and take it every 2 hours as needed.
• To increase urinary pH (make the urine more alkaline and less acidic): Adults and children 12 years of age and older should mix 1 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in a glass of water and take it every 4 hours as needed. The maximum dose is 4 teaspoons per day.

Sodium bicarbonate tablets

• For heartburn: Adults and children 12 years of age and older should take between 325 milligrams and 2,000 mg up to 4 times a day. Children 6 to 12 years of age should take 520 mg and can repeat a dose after 30 minutes. 
• To increase urinary pH (make the urine more alkaline and less acidic): Adults and children 12 years of age and older should take an initial dose of 4 grams and then 1-2 grams every 4 hours. The maximum dose is usually 16 grams per day. In children, the dose of sodium bicarbonate is based on the child’s body weight and will be determined by a doctor.

Adults up to 60 years of age should not take more than 24 tablets of the 650-mg tablets in a day. Adults above 60 years of age should not take more than 12 tablets of the 650-mg tablets in a 24-hour period. Do not use sodium bicarbonate for more than 2 weeks without consulting your healthcare provider. 

Alka Seltzer Heartburn Relief (effervescent salts) (contains 1,000 mg anhydrous citric acid and 1,940 mg sodium bicarbonate)

• People between 12 and 59 years old: Dissolve 2 tablets in water and take every 4 hours as needed. The maximum dose is 8 tablets in a 24-hour period.
• Adults above 60 years of age: Dissolve 2 tablets in water and take every 4 hours as needed. The maximum dose is 4 tablets in a 24-hour period.
• Children under 12 years old: Consult the child’s doctor.