Sodium bicarbonate injection is typically used to lower the amount of acid in the blood when the acid level is too high, which can happen with certain medical conditions such as kidney problems, uncontrolled diabetes, or heart conditions. It can also help restore bicarbonate levels in the body if a person experiences severe diarrhea. Sodium bicarbonate injection is infused into your veins (IV) by a healthcare provider, typically in a hospital setting. The dosage of sodium bicarbonate injection depends on your specific condition. You might experience certain side effects, such as muscle twitching or numbness, if you receive too much sodium bicarbonate.
Sodium bicarbonate is an alkalinizing agent that neutralizes, or balances, the pH level of your blood to help reverse the effects of having acidic blood. It also serves to restore sodium and bicarbonate that your body might have lost.
| Common Brands | No brand names available |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Electrolyte |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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.
See Risks and Warnings
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
Sodium bicarbonate injection 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.
Risk factors: Congestive heart failure | Severe kidney disease | High blood pressure
Sodium bicarbonate injection contains sodium, which can cause your body to hold on to fluid. This can be especially troublesome for people with heart failure or kidney disease because a buildup of fluid can worsen their symptoms. Hanging on to fluid can also cause your blood pressure to rise. Make sure to tell your provider about your full medical history before getting this medication.
Your provider will determine your dose of sodium bicarbonate injection (measured in milliequivalents, or mEq). The dose will depend on factors such as what you're being treated for, how serious your condition is, your weight, and certain lab results.
For example:
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Sodium bicarbonate injection will not be safe for you to take.
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Sodium Bicarbonate is used to lower the amount of acid in the blood when your blood acid level is too high. This problem can be caused by conditions such as kidney or blood sugar problems. Sodium Bicarbonate can also be used to raise the level of bicarbonate in your blood when your level is too low. This is typically caused by loss through severe diarrhea. Lastly, Sodium Bicarbonate can be used to reverse the side effects of certain medications or chemicals, such as barbiturates.
Before your provider orders Sodium Bicarbonate for you, they'll look at your medical history make sure that it's safe for you. They'll also calculate the dose of sodium bicarbonate you need based on labs, like your blood pH level, to make sure you receive the appropriate dose. In general, Sodium Bicarbonate might not be safe for people with congestive heart failure or severe kidney problems. This is because Sodium Bicarbonate contains sodium, which causes you to hold onto fluid. If you have heart failure or kidney disease, it can be dangerous for your body have too much fluid in the body.
Yes. Sodium Bicarbonate raises your blood pH level because it helps lower the acid in your blood. The less blood acid you have, the higher the pH level. During treatment, your provider will monitor your blood pH level to help get you to a safe range.
If you receive too much sodium bicarbonate, you can have metabolic alkalosis, which means your bicarbonate level is too high. This can lead to symptoms like headache, feeling irritated, and muscle twitches. Too much Sodium Bicarbonate can also lead to high a sodium level, which can cause symptoms such as feeling tired, thirsty, or restless.
Sodium Bicarbonate is given through the veins intravenously (IV) by a healthcare provider. If you're receiving Sodium Bicarbonate to treat an urgent heart problem, your provider will give you your dose quickly over a span of minutes. If you're receiving it to treat low acid levels in your blood, you might receive this over a span of hours along with IV fluids.
