Commonly known as Disodium Citrate, ‘Disodium Hydrogen Citrate’ is a salt of citric acid. It is an antioxidant that is used in food as an acidity regulator and as a sequestrant (food additive that improves the stability of food).
In the field of medical sciences, it is used as a urinary alkalizer. It is primarily used to treat urinary tract infections and get rid of kidney stones. It may also be used to restore the normal pH.
| Nature: | Urinary Alkalizer |
| Uses: | Urinary Acidosis, Urinary tract infection, Burning micturition, As antioxidants, In adjunctive therapy with sulphonamides |
| Side Effects: | Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Frequent urination, Excessive acidity, Stomach ulcers, Anxiety, Headache, Fatigue, Skin rashes, Flatulence, Anxiety, Diarrhoea, Mood Swings, Gastrointestinal Ulcers |
| Precautions: | Hypersensitivity, Heart Diseases, Pregnancy, Lactation, Dehydration, Bacterial Infection, High Potassium level |
Uses and Benefits of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate:
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate is a urinary alkalizer that is primarily used to restore the normal pH of urine. A few conditions which can be treated and prevented by the use of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate are:
- Urinary Acidosis
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Kidney stones
- Burning Micturition
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate can also be used:
- As an antioxidant in food to prevent oxidation of the food
- In adjunctive therapy with sulphonamides (synthetic antimicrobial agents)
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Side Effects of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate:
Apart from the intended effects of a drug, they are bound to show some side effects in certain cases. Some of the side effects that may appear with the use of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate are:
- Flatulence
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach cramps
- Frequent Urination
- Gastrointestinal Ulcers
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Mood Swings
- Imbalance in potassium levels in the blood
These side effects may or may not be life-threatening, but in case the patient experiences any of the above-mentioned side effects, he or she must rush to a doctor to seek immediate medical attention.
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Common Dosage of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate:
The patient should administer Disodium Hydrogen Citrate in accordance with the instructions advised by the doctor. Doctors usually prescribe the medicine in the following doses:
- 15 to 30 ml a day (in divided doses) to adults
- 5 ml a day (in divided doses) to children
However, the dosage may vary with the severity of the ailment to be treated. BMI of the patient, age of patients and other underlying health concerns are a few factors that may help decide the dosage.
- Missed Dosage: The patient should take the missed dose as soon as it is remembered. However, it is advisable not to take the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose.
- Over Dosage: Overdosage may show serious side effects or drug toxicity and thus one should refrain from taking an overdose. However, if overdosage is suspected, one must rush to a doctor to seek immediate medical attention.
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How to Use Disodium Hydrogen Citrate?
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate should be consumed as per the prescription of the doctor or the patient should follow the directions advised on the label. One must not increase or decrease the dosage without consulting the doctor. The medicine should be taken orally, preferably with food or immediately after food to avoid gastric disorders.
How does Disodium Hydrogen Citrate work?
Acidic urine is more prone to bacterial infections. Disodium Hydrogen Citrate, being alkaline in nature, works as a buffering agent by neutralizing excess acid in urine and blood. It thus reduces the chances of urinary tract infection by inhibiting the growth of bacteria in the tract.
When is Disodium Hydrogen Citrate Prescribed?
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate is a urinary alkalizer that is primarily used to neutralize the excess amount of acid in the urine. Doctors may prescribe this medicine to treat urinary acidosis, urinary tract infection and burning micturition. It may also be prescribed to get rid of renal calculi (kidney stones).
Related Warnings and Precautions
Following are the precautions that must be taken during or before starting the consumption of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate –
- Disodium Hydrogen Citrate should be avoided by the patients with a known hypersensitivity to urinary alkalizer.
- Disodium Hydrogen Citrate must be given cautiously to the patients suffering from dehydration, Diuresis or any heart disease.
- The medicine is known to affect the potassium levels in the blood and hence the use of this medicine is not recommended for patients suffering from low potassium levels.
- Women who are pregnant or planning to conceive must consult their doctors before taking this medicine.
- Nursing mothers should avoid using Disodium Hydrogen Citrate as it may affect the quality and quantity of breast milk.
- The drug must be carefully given to the elderly and to children less than 14 years.
- The patient must inform the doctor about current medications and over the counter products they have been using in order to avoid severe interactions and side effects.
- The doctor must also be informed about any pre-existing allergies and diseases to ensure that no side-effect occurs.
- The medicine should be consumed as per the instructions advised by the doctor. One must not alter the dosage without a doctor’s recommendation.
- Disodium Hydrogen Citrate may negatively interact with some antibiotics and thus the medicine should be used cautiously if the patient is on any antibiotic therapy.
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate Interactions
A drug may interact with another drug, disease or specific ingredients and may lead to effects that are different from the intended ones. A few interactions of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate are:
Interactions with drugs
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate may interact negatively with:
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Corticosteroids
- Ephedrine
- Methotrexate
- Pseudoephedrine
- Potassium-depleting Diuretics
- Quinidine
- Salicylates
- Tetracyclines
Interaction with alcohol
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate, when taken along with alcohol, may not show the desired results. Hence it is advisable to discontinue the consumption of alcohol during the course of treatment with this medicine.
Disease Interactions
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate should be avoided by the patients suffering from:
- Heart Diseases
- Dehydration
- High Potassium level
Lab Interactions
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate interacts with the following lab tests:
Kidney Function Test: This medicine can affect the results of lab tests that check kidney function parameters.
Medicines that should not be taken with Disodium Hydrogen Citrate
Co-administering Disodium Hydrogen Sulphide in combination with other over the counter medicines, herbal medicines or vitamin supplements may increase the risk of side effects. A few medicines that should never be co-administered with Disodium Hydrogen Sulphide are:
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Corticosteroids
- Ephedrine
- Methotrexate
- Pseudoephedrine
- Potassium-depleting Diuretics
- Quinidine
- Salicylates
- Tetracyclines
How to Store it?
It is advisable to store Disodium Hydrogen Citrate in a cool and dry place away from direct heat and sunlight. One must keep the medicine away from the reach of children and pets. The packaging of the medicine must be kept intact in order to maintain its effect when being administered.
Frequently Asked Question:
1) What is Disodium Hydrogen Citrate used to treat?
Ans: It is a urinary alkalizer that is primarily used to treat urine acidosis. It may also be used to treat urinary tract infections, burning micturition.
2) What is Disodium Hydrogen Citrate used for?
Ans: It is a urinary alkalizer that is primarily used to neutralize excess acid in the urine. It is used to treat urinary tract infections, burning micturition. It may also be used as an antioxidant in food items.
3) What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Ans: A few possible side effects of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, frequent urination, excessive acidity, stomach ulcers, anxiety, headache, fatigue, skin rashes, flatulence, anxiety, diarrhoea and mood swings.
4) What is the usual prescribed dosage of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate?
Ans: Doctors usually prescribe 15 to 30 ml a day (in divided doses) to adults and 5 ml a day (in divided doses) to children. However, one must always consult a doctor before consuming Disodium Hydrogen Citrate.
5) Should this drug be consumed before food or after having food?
Ans: To avoid any gastric disorder, Disodium Hydrogen Citrate should be consumed after having food. However, it’s better to consult a doctor to know about the correct usage of this medicine.
6) Can I drive or operate heavy machinery post consuming Disodium Hydrogen Citrate?
Ans: Yes, as Disodium Hydrogen Citrate does not cause drowsiness or dizziness, it is absolutely safe to drive or operate heavy machinery post consuming this medicine. However, in case you feel any such symptom, refrain from doing activities that require concentration or focus.
7) Should I stop taking Disodium Hydrogen Citrate if my symptoms are relieved?
Ans: No. You should continue taking Disodium Hydrogen Citrate for the specific time for which the doctor has prescribed the medicine. However, if your symptoms are relieved, consult a doctor before discontinuing the medicine.
8) Does Disodium Hydrogen Citrate affect menstrual cycle?
Ans: No, Disodium Hydrogen Citrate has not been reported to affect the menstrual cycle. However, in case you have pre-existing menstrual problems, consult a doctor before consuming the medicine.
9) Can Disodium Hydrogen Citrate be administered to children?
Ans: Unless recommended by a paediatrician, Disodium Hydrogen Citrateshould not be administered to children.
10) Is there any particular food item that should be avoided during the course of treatment with Disodium Hydrogen Citrate?
Ans: No, there’s not any particular food item that should be avoided during the course of treatment with Disodium Hydrogen Citrate. However, it is advisable to consume a lot of liquids like fruit juice or water, during the course of treatment.
11) What will happen if I continuously forget to take Disodium Hydrogen Citrate?
Ans: Missing a single dose of the medicine may not cause many effects. However, for medicine to work properly some concentration of medicine should always be present in the body. If a patient continuously misses the dose of the Disodium Hydrogen Citrate, the medicine may not be able to completely cure the condition it has been prescribed for.
12) What will happen if I overdose on Disodium Hydrogen Citrate?
Ans: Overdosing on the Disodium Hydrogen Citrate tablet may lead to severe side effects such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. If an overdose is suspected, patients must immediately visit a doctor.
13) What will happen if I accidentally consume an expired dose of this medication?
Ans: Although it is always recommended to check the expiry date of the medicine before administering it, a single expired dose of this drug may not cause any severe side effects. However, it must be noted that the efficacy of the medicine may be affected as an expired tablet will not be as effective in treating the symptoms. In case of experiencing any severe side effects, a doctor must be consulted immediately to seek remedial action.
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