Bicitra keeps the acid levels in your body in a normal range. It's useful for people who have a buildup of acid in their blood or urine and need long-term treatment. Although it works well to lower your acid levels, you might need to have your blood work done regularly to monitor your electrolyte levels.
Prevent gout or kidney stones by lowering the acid levels in your urine
Buildup of acid in your body (metabolic acidosis)
Excess stomach acid
Bicitra makes your body more alkaline, or less acidic. Sodium citrate is broken down in your body to sodium bicarbonate, which neutralizes acid in your blood and urine.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Stop taking this medicine and get emergency help immediately if any of the following effects occur:
Rare
Abdominal or stomach pain or cramping (severe)
black, tarry stools
vomiting (severe), sometimes with blood
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Confusion
convulsions (seizures)
dizziness
irregular or fast heartbeat
irritability
mood or mental changes
muscle pain or twitching
nervousness or restlessness
numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips
shortness of breath, difficult breathing, or slow breathing
swelling of feet or lower legs
unexplained anxiety
unpleasant taste
unusual tiredness or weakness
weakness or heaviness of legs
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Good for people who have a chronic buildup of acids in their body (metabolic acidosis), which is a condition in some people with kidney problems
Can be used long-term to balance out acid in your urine
Works well to lower your stomach acid
Generally doesn't cause too many side effects for people without kidney problems
Comes in a grape flavor
Has to be taken 4 times per day
Occasional blood work is needed for people with kidney disease or for people who don't make enough urine
Cannot be used for people with severe kidney problems, severe heart damage (such as from a prior heart attack), Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder), high potassium levels (hyperkalemia), if you are severely dehydrated, have heat cramps, or if you have to limit your sodium intake
To prevent diarrhea and stomach upset, mix Bicitra with the appropriate amount of water, shake it well, and take it after a meal. Read the FAQ section above for how much water you should use.
Store Bicitra at room temperature. If you want it to taste better, you can chill it first. But, don’t let it freeze.
Don't take Bicitra with antacids that contain aluminum, such as Gaviscon, Gelusil, or Mylanta. Taking these medications together with Bicitra can make your body absorb too much aluminum.
If Bicitra doesn't come in a pre-measured cup, be sure to use the measuring device that your pharmacy provides so you can measure out the correct dose.
Bicitra 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: Kidney disease | Heart disease | High blood pressure | Swelling (edema) | Pre-eclampsia
Bicitra contains sodium (salt) and might change your electrolyte levels, which can cause heart and kidney problems. If you have kidney disease, your healthcare provider will do occasional blood tests to make sure your electrolytes are in balance.
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
500mg/334mg/5ml | 473 ml | $10.64 | $0.02 |
The typical dose is 10 mL to 30 mL, diluted with water, by mouth after each meal and at bedtime. Your provider might raise your dose slowly depending on how you respond to the medication.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Prevent gout or kidney stones by lowering the acid levels in your urine
Buildup of acid in your body (metabolic acidosis)
Excess stomach acid
Renal tubular acidosis (a condition where there is too much acid in your blood from kidney problems)
Long-term maintenance of less acidic urine
Add-on treatment for gout
High acid levels in the blood caused by a kidney condition (renal tubular acidosis)
Long-term maintenance of less acidic urine
Add-on treatment for gout
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