Sodium Bicarbonate (Pfizer (Perth))

What it is used for

1. Metabolic acidosis in severe renal disease, uncontrolled diabetes, circulatory insufficiency due to shock or severe dehydration, extracorporeal circulation of blood, cardiac arrest and severe primary lactic acidosis where a rapid increase in plasma total CO2 content is crucial. Treatment of metabolic acidosis should be concurrent with measures designed to control the cause of the acidosis. 2.Urinary alkalinisation in the treatment of certain drug intoxications (ie barbiturates, salicylates, lithium, methyl alcohol) and in the haemolytic reactions requiring alkalinisation of the urine to diminish nephrotoxicity of blood pigments. Urinary alkalinisation is also used in methotrexate therapy to prevent nephrotoxicity. 3.Severe diarrhoea which is often accompanied by a significant loss of bicarbonate.