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Overview: Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid that is taken by mouth to relieve heartburn, indigestion, or an upset stomach. Common side effects can include gas or feeling bloated. Before taking sodium bicarbonate, talk to your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any medicines that you take. Sodium bicarbonate is available in several forms that you swallow, including a liquid, tablet, or powder that you dissolve in water.

Uses

What is sodium bicarbonate used for?

Sodium bicarbonate is commonly used as an antacid to help reduce symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, or an upset stomach.

Sodium bicarbonate may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does sodium bicarbonate work (mechanism of action)?

Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid. It works quickly to neutralize the acid in your stomach. This helps reduce stomach acid levels and symptoms such as heartburn and indigestion.

How is sodium bicarbonate supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

Dosage forms and strengths

Sodium bicarbonate is available in various strengths and dosage forms to relieve heartburn or an upset stomach. 

How should I store sodium bicarbonate?

Sodium bicarbonate should usually be stored at room temperature, between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) in a cool, dry place. Follow the storage instructions for your product. If you are not sure how to store it, ask your pharmacist.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of sodium bicarbonate?

The most common side effects of sodium bicarbonate are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Gas or burping
  • A sense of fullness or feeling bloated

There may be other side effects of sodium bicarbonate that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of sodium bicarbonate?

While less common, the most serious side effects of sodium bicarbonate are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Sodium bicarbonate may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking sodium bicarbonate and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown, depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use sodium bicarbonate?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take sodium bicarbonate.

  • Sodium bicarbonate
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific sodium bicarbonate products they stock.

Inflamed Appendix. You should not take sodium bicarbonate if you think you have appendicitis. Symptoms of appendicitis include severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Talk to your health care provider right away or get emergency help if you think you have appendicitis.

What should I know about sodium bicarbonate before using it?

There are multiple forms of sodium bicarbonate available. Read and follow the instructions that come with the product or take it as your health care provider recommends. Do not take more than the recommended dose.

Keep sodium bicarbonate out of the reach of children.

If you are taking sodium bicarbonate liquid, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.

Some forms of sodium bicarbonate, such as powders or certain tablets, must be dissolved completely in water before taking them to avoid serious injury. These products should not be taken if you feel overly full from eating or drinking. Talk with your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

Other sodium bicarbonate tablets may be swallowed whole or dissolved in water if you have trouble swallowing tablets. If you have questions about how to do this, talk with your pharmacist. 

Stop taking sodium bicarbonate and contact your health care provider if your symptoms still bother you after two weeks of taking it or if you have severe pain in your stomach after taking it.

What should I tell my health care provider before using sodium bicarbonate?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if sodium bicarbonate is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Low-Sodium (Salt) Diet. You should not take sodium bicarbonate without talking to your health care provider first if you are following a low-salt or sodium-restricted diet. This medicine contains sodium. See the Interactions section for more details.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Sodium bicarbonate may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking sodium bicarbonate, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how sodium bicarbonate could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take sodium bicarbonate while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Sodium bicarbonate passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take sodium bicarbonate while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does sodium bicarbonate interact with foods or drinks?

If you are following a low-salt diet, talk to your health care provider before taking sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate has sodium in it, which is a key ingredient in salt.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect sodium bicarbonate.

Does sodium bicarbonate interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking sodium bicarbonate.

  • A tetracycline, such as doxycycline, minocycline, omadacycline (Nuzyra), sarecycline (Seysara), or tetracycline, which is a medicine used to treat infections or other conditions
  • A fluoroquinolone, such as levofloxacin, which is a medicine used to treat certain infections
  • A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which is in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
  • Itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura) or ketoconazole, which are medicines used for fungal infections
  • A salicylate, such as diflunisal or salsalate, which is a medicine used for arthritis 
  • Aspirin, which is in many prescription and OTC products, including those for pain, swelling, and fever
  • A supplement containing calcium or iron
  • A corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
  • A protease inhibitor, such as atazanavir (Reyataz) or fosamprenavir, which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIV
  • Memantine (Namenda), which is a medicine used for dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease

Sodium bicarbonate may affect the absorption of many other medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with sodium bicarbonate. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much sodium bicarbonate?

If you or someone else has used too much sodium bicarbonate, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of sodium bicarbonate?

Sodium bicarbonate is usually meant to be taken only when needed, especially for heartburn, indigestion, or an upset stomach. Take it according to the package directions or as your health care provider recommends. Do not take double or extra doses.