Sodium Bicarbonate Bp
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER SODIUM BICARBONATE B.P.
(Sodium Bicarbonate)
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
• You must talk to a doctor if you do not feel better.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Sodium Bicarbonate is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Sodium Bicarbonate
3. How to use Sodium Bicarbonate
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Sodium Bicarbonate
6. Contents of the pack and other information.
1. What Sodium Bicarbonate is and what it is used for
The name of your medicine is Sodium Bicarbonate BP. It contains the active ingredient Sodium Bicarbonate.
Sodium Bicarbonate is for symptomatic relief of heart burn and indigestion and external lotion for the insect bites and sunburn.
2. What you need to know before you take Sodium Bicarbonate
Do not take Sodium Bicarbonate if
• You are allergic (hypersensitive) to Sodium Bicarbonate.
• High levels of alkali in the blood.
• Low levels of calcium in the blood.
• Reduced stomach acid
• Heart failure.
• Kidney problems.
• Liver problems.
• High blood pressure.
• Or are taking steroids.
Warnings and Precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Sodium bicarbonate.
i If you are on a low salt (sodium) diet.
Other medicines and Sodium Bicarbonate
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
The following medicines may be affected by treatment with sodium bicarbonate,
• Adrenaline hydrochloride e.g. for severe allergic reactions.
• Carmustine, used in cancer treatment.
• Glycopyrronium bromide, used to reduce saliva secretion.
• Isoprenaline hydrochloride, digoxin or dipyridamole for heart conditions.
• Suxamethonium chloride, a muscle relaxant.
• Lithium for manic depression.
• Lansoprazole for healing ulcers.
• Levothyroxin to treat an underactive thyroid.
• Mycophenolate to stop transplant rejection.
• Rosuvastatin to control cholesterol.
• Chloroquine for malaria.
• Hydrochloroquine for arthritis.
• Penicillamine for rheumatoid arthritis.
• Nilotinib to treat leukaemia.
• Fexofenadine an antihistamine.
• Daflazacort a corticosteroid for inflammation.
• Gabapentin or phenytoin to treat epilepsy.
• Sulpiride or phenothiazine tranquillisers for schizophrenia.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) e.g. aspirin, diflunisal.
• ACE inhibitors for heart failure or high blood pressure e.g. captopril, enalapril.
• Antibacterials for infections e.g. benzyl penicillin potassium, tetracyclines, rifampicin.
• Antifungals for fungal infections e.g. itraconazole, ketoconazole.
• Antivirals for viral infections e.g. atazanivir, tipranavir.
• Bisphosphonates for osteoporosis.
• Or are on a low sodium diet.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
Sodium bicarbonate should not be taken in pregnancy or if breastfeeding unless the doctor has told you to do so.
Driving and using Machines
Sodium bicarbonate contains sodium
This product contains a significant amount of sodium. To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet. Please consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
3. How to use Sodium Bicarbonate Take by mouth as an antacid
Adults, the elderly and children over 12 years: Take 1 level 5ml spoonful dissolved in warm water. Take up to 4 times a day. Do not give to children under 12 years old.
For external use on bites and sunburn
Adults, the elderly and children: Dissolve 1 level 5ml spoonful in 568ml (1 pint) of warm water. Apply to the affected skin with cotton wool or lint.
If you take more Sodium bicarbonate than you should
See a doctor straight away. Take the pack with you to show which medicine you have swallowed.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Sodium bicarbonate may cause side-effects, although not everybody gets them.
Possible side effects when taken by mouth are:
• Stomach cramps.
• Wind.
• Increased blood pressure.
Increased Potassium in your blood. Fluid retention or fluid in the lungs.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
5. How to store sodium Bicarbonate
• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date (EXP.) which is stated on the label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Sodium carbonate contains
The active substance is Sodium Bicarbonate.
What Sodium bicarbonate looks like and contents of the pack
Sodium Bicarbonate comes in Cardboard Little John Drum or Robinsons with a plastic cap in the pack sizes of 100, 200 and 500g. It also comes in food grade paper bag in a printed cardboard carton in 200g pack size.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Cox Pharmaceutical Ltd 788-790 Finchley road,
London NW11 7TJ UK.
This leaflet was last revised in June 2016
To request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio format, please contact the licence holder at the address above.