potassium bicarbonate

What is the most important information I should know about potassium bicarbonate?

What is potassium bicarbonate?

Potassium is a mineral that is found naturally in foods and is necessary for the normal function of your heart, muscles, and nerves.

Potassium bicarbonate is used to treat or prevent low potassium (hypokalemia).

Potassium bicarbonate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking potassium bicarbonate?

• you have high levels of potassium in your blood; or
• you also take a potassium-sparing diuretic such as amiloride, eplerenone, spironolactone, or triamterene.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have ever had:

• heart problems, irregular heartbeats;
• diabetes;
• a severe burn injury;
• an ulcer or other problems with your stomach or intestines;
• Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder);
• an allergic reaction to a product that contains potassium;
• kidney disease; or
• if you are dehydrated.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I take potassium bicarbonate?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Take your doses at regular intervals to keep a steady amount of potassium in your body at all times.

You may need frequent medical tests. Even if you have no symptoms, tests can help your doctor determine if this medicine is effective.

You should not stop using potassium bicarbonate without first asking your doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking potassium bicarbonate?

What are the possible side effects of potassium bicarbonate?

• confusion;
• fast or irregular heartbeats;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• weakness or a heavy feeling in your legs;
• numbness or tingling in your hands or feet;
• unusual tiredness;
• trouble breathing;
• black, bloody, or tarry stools;
• severe stomach pain or cramping; or
• high potassium --nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, or loss of movement.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting;
• diarrhea; or
• upset stomach.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect potassium bicarbonate?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using potassium bicarbonate with any other medications, especially:

• heart or blood pressure medication;
• a diuretic or "water pill"; or
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect potassium bicarbonate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about potassium bicarbonate.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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