Brand Names

How to Use

For safe and effective use of sodium bicarbonate:

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

For diseaseds taking this drug for a stomach ulcer :

• Take it exactly as directed and for the full time of treat as ordered by your family 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 family doctor.

Dosage

The number of teaspoonfuls of powder or of tablets you take depends on the strength of the drug Always the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses and the length of time you take the drug 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 family 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 family doctor may change the dose if needed.
    • Children Dose must be determined by your family doctor.
  • To make the urine more alkaline - less acidic:
    • Adults and teenagers One teaspoonful in a glass of water every four hours. Your family 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 family 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 family 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 family 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 family doctor may change the dose if needed.

Missed dose If you must take this drug 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 drug:

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• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed.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