Potassium Bicarbonate

Potassium Bicarbonate Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Potassium Bicarbonate is a white, crystalline, slightly alkaline and salty substance. It is produced by the passage of carbon dioxide through an aqueous potassium carbonate solution. It is used in medicine as an antacid. It is registered in the FDA under the section of suitable, safe and effective ingredients for OTC antacids. This FDA denomination classifies potassium bicarbonate as a GRAS ingredient.

Potassium is the principal intracellular cation in most body tissues. The concentration of potassium ions is essential to conduct nerve impulses in specialized tissues like brain, heart and skeletal muscle, as well as to maintain normal renal function, acid-base balance, and cellular metabolic functions. The use of compounds containing bicarbonate is showed to produce the release of CO2. This effect has been one of the problems of the use of potassium bicarbonate as it can cause eructation.

Trade Name Potassium Bicarbonate
Generic Potassium bicarbonate
Potassium bicarbonate Other Names Potassium bicarbonate, Potassium hydrogen carbonate
Weight 10meq, 20meq, 25meq
Type Oral tablet, effervescent
Formula CHKO3
Weight Average: 100.1151
Monoisotopic: 99.956275759
Groups Approved
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer
Available Country United States
Last Updated: September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am
Potassium Bicarbonate
Potassium Bicarbonate

Uses

Potassium Bicarbonate is an ingredient used as an antacid or to treat hypokalemia.

Potassium Bicarbonate is used as an antacid, electrolyte replenisher and potassium supplement. It can also be used as an excipient in drug formulations. An antacid is a medication used to neutralize gastric acid in a short timeframe after ingestion and the effect is soon overcome by meal-stimulated acid secretion.

Potassium Bicarbonate is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Arrhythmias Cardiac caused by Hypokalemia, Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Hypocitraturia, Hypokalemia, Ketoacidosis caused by Hypokalemia, Kidney Stones, Neuromuscular Disorders caused by Hypokalemia, Uric Acid Stones, Calcium oxalate calculi Renal Calculi

How Potassium Bicarbonate works

The antacid potential of potassium bicarbonate is attained by increasing the gastrointestinal pH by neutralizing hydrochloric acid. The increase in pH results in suppression of the action of pepsin which is the enzyme that exacerbates ulceration due to the presence of acid.

Toxicity

Potassium Bicarbonate does not contain any toxic chemicals and it is not listed as a carcinogenic or a potential carcinogen. Potassium Bicarbonate is also considered safe in pregnancy as the current data do not suggest a teratogenic potential or any developmental toxicity.

Food Interaction

  • Avoid potassium-containing products. Excess potassium intake may cause hyperkalemia. Avoid salt substitutes like potassium chloride (KCl).
  • Take with a full glass of water. Dissolve the 10 mEq tablet in at least 2-3 oz of fluid, and the 20 mEq tablet in at least 3-4 oz of liquid (juice or water).
  • Take with food.

Elimination Route

Potassium Bicarbonate intake is done mainly in the small intestine in which approximately 90% of the potassium will be absorbed by passive diffusion.

Half Life

Some reports have shown that after absorption, most body potassium exchanges rapidly with a half-life of less than 7 hours.

Elimination Route

Approximately 90% of the exogenous potassium consumed is lost in the urine while the other 10% is excreted in feces and a very small amount can be found in the sweat. The excreted potassium is freely filtered by the glomerulus of the kidney.

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*** Taking medicines without doctor's advice can cause long-term problems.
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