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sodium bicarbonate

Generic

Used for Heartburn

Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid taken by mouth and used to relieve symptoms of acid reflux in adults, such as indigestion, heartburn, and upset stomach. It shouldn't be used for more than 2 weeks at the maximum recommended dose, unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Sodium bicarbonate might not be safe for people with certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or heart failure. It's available over the counter and as lower-cost generics.

Reviewed by:

Shifali Patel, PharmD

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Last reviewed on January 25, 2022

Basics Side effects Pros & cons Pharmacist tips FAQs Warnings Dosage Alternatives Latest news Images Prices Medicare

What is Sodium bicarbonate?

What is Sodium bicarbonate used for?

Indigestion
Heartburn
Sour or upset stomach

How Sodium bicarbonate works

Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid that neutralizes, or balances, the acid in your stomach to help relieve indigestion, heartburn, and upset stomach.

Are you looking for information on sodium bicarbonate (intravenous solution) or calcium carbonate (Tums) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsAlka-Seltzer

Drug ClassAntacid

Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication

Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available

AvailabilityOver-the-counter

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Avg retail price

$6.93(save 57.70%)

GoodRx discount

$2.93

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What are the side effects of Sodium bicarbonate?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Stomach cramps
Gas
Feeling more thirsty

Source: DailyMed

More on Sodium bicarbonate side effects

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What Are the Side Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate?

Written by Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP

The following side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

Bloating
Gas
Increased thirst
Stomach pain

Pros and cons of Sodium bicarbonate

Pros

Easily available over the counter

Can be dissolved in water to make it easier to take compared to swallowing a tablet

Available as a lower-cost generic

Available in multiple dosage strengths

Cons

Can't use for longer than 2 weeks at the maximum recommended dose without asking your provider

Contains sodium so shouldn't be used if you're on a low-salt diet

Can interact with other medications

Might not be recommended in pregnancy or in children

Not recommended for people with certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart failure, and kidney problems

Pharmacist tips for Sodium bicarbonate

Double check the dosing directions on your product label before taking different brands of sodium bicarbonate. Directions might differ slightly depending on the manufacturer. Some brands (such as Alka Seltzer) might also contains other ingredients, along with sodium bicarbonate. So it's best to check the full list of ingredients to make sure they're safe for you to take.

You can dissolve sodium bicarbonate tablets in water if you have trouble swallowing the tablet whole. Make sure to fully dissolve the medication before swallowing it to avoid stomach injury.

Don't take sodium bicarbonate if you're overly full from food or drink, since this can cause stomach injury. Contact your provider if you experience severe stomach pain after taking this medication.

Sodium bicarbonate contains sodium, which is present in table salt. It should be avoided if you've been told to limit or restrict salt in your diet due to conditions like high blood pressure or congestive heart failure. If you have any of these health conditions, ask your healthcare provider before taking sodium bicarbonate.

If you take other medications, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider before taking sodium bicarbonate to make sure it's safe to combine the medications.

If you're still having symptoms after 2 weeks of taking sodium bicarbonate, stop taking it and call your provider. This might be a sign of a more serious medical condition.

If you or anyone around you, especially a child, accidentally overdoses on sodium bicarbonate, get emergency medical help or call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 right away.

Store sodium bicarbonate at room temperature in a place out of reach from children at all times.

Frequently asked questions about Sodium bicarbonate

How long can I take sodium bicarbonate?

You shouldn't take sodium bicarbonate at the maximum recommended dose for more than 2 weeks, unless you've been told to by your healthcare provider. If you still have symptoms after 2 weeks of taking this medication, talk to your provider about other options to better treat your condition.

Can I take sodium bicarbonate with other antacids?

Don't take sodium bicarbonate with other antacids without talking with your provider first. Sodium bicarbonate can interact with other prescription and over-the-counter medications, including other antacids. If you think that sodium bicarbonate isn't enough to ease your symptoms, ask your provider about other options that can help you.

Can I take sodium bicarbonate if I'm pregnant?

There isn't enough information available to know if sodium bicarbonate is safe to take during pregnancy. The sodium in this medication can cause fluid buildup, which can be dangerous. Discuss the risks and benefits of using it with a healthcare provider first. Heartburn is very common during pregnancy and there are ways to lower your symptoms without medications, such as eating smaller meals throughout the day or avoiding spicy or fatty foods.

Is sodium bicarbonate safe to use in children?

There isn't enough information to know if sodium bicarbonate is safe or works well in children, and it's not recommended to use it for long-term treatment of stomach upset caused by acid reflux in children. Read the label on the medication's package to find the age cut-off for your product. Keep the medication bottle tightly closed and out of reach from children at all times. If your child has indigestion, heartburn, or upset stomach, ask your child's healthcare provider or pharmacist about safer treatment options.

Can I take sodium bicarbonate if I have high blood pressure?

If you have high blood pressure or are on a low-sodium diet, speak to your provider before using sodium bicarbonate. This medication can add a lot of sodium to your diet and worsen certain conditions, such as high blood pressure.

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What are the risks and warnings for Sodium bicarbonate?

Sodium bicarbonate can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Stomach injury

Risk factors: Overly full stomach from food | Drinking a lot of alcohol | Taking more sodium bicarbonate than recommended

If dissolving sodium bicarbonate in water, don't take it unless the tablet is completely dissolved because it can lead to serious stomach injury. You should also avoid taking the medication if you're overly full from eating food or drinking alcohol. If you have stomach pain after taking sodium bicarbonate and it doesn't get better, contact your healthcare provider.

Sodium bicarbonate dosage forms

The average cost for 60 tablets of 650mg of Sodium bicarbonate is $2.93 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 57.7% off the average retail price of $6.93.

Tablet

Dosage	Quantity	Price as low as	Price per unit
325mg	180 tablets	$6.06	$0.03
650mg	60 tablets	$2.93	$0.05

Typical dosing for Sodium bicarbonate

Each product has specific instructions for use. To make sure you’re using sodium bicarbonate products correctly, refer to the product’s administration directions and talk to your provider or pharmacist.

Sodium bicarbonate 650 mg

Adults age 60 and older: Take 1 to 2 tablets by mouth every 4 hours, with a maximum of 12 tablets in a 24-hour period.
Adults age 59 and younger: Take 1 to 4 tablets by mouth every 4 hours, with a maximum of 24 tablets in a 24-hour period.

Sodium bicarbonate 325 mg

Adults age 60 and older: Take 2 to 4 tablets by mouth every 4 hours, with a maximum of 24 tablets in a 24-hour period.
Adults age 59 and younger: Take 2 to 8 tablets by mouth every 4 hours, with a maximum of 48 tablets in a 24-hour period.

Alka Seltzer Heartburn

Each tablet of Alka Seltzer Heartburn contains anhydrous citric acid 1000 mg
and sodium bicarbonate 1940 mg.

Adults 60 years and older: Fully dissolve 2 tablets in water and take by mouth every 4 hours as needed, with a maximum of 4 tablets in a 24-hour period.
Adults and children 12 to 59 years old: Fully dissolve 2 tablets in water and take by mouth every 4 hours as needed, with a maximum of 8 tablets in a 24-hour period.
Children under 12 years old: Ask a doctor.