SODIUM BICARBONATE 500 MG CAPSULES - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.

This medicine is available without prescription. Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor, or pharmacist or nurse has have told you.

• – Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

• – Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.

• – If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

• – You must talk to a doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse.

What is in this leaflet:

• l. What Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules are and what they are used for

• 2. What you need to know before you take Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules

• 3. How to take Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules

• 4. Possible side effects

• 5. How to store Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules

• 6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules are and what they are used for

What this medicine does

Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules are used to treat indigestion.

Sodium Bicarbonate is one of a group of medicines called antacids. It reduces the effect of excess acid produced in the stomach.

2. What you need to know before you take Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules

Do not take Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules:

• if you are allergic to sodium bicarbonate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules

• if you have ever had any problems with your kidneys or liver;
• if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems;

Other medicines and Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking , have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

• aspirin or other salicylates (used as painkillers or to thin the blood);
• lithium (used to treat mental illness);
• ACE inhibitors e.g. captopril, enalapril and fosinopril (used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems);
• antibiotics e.g. azithromycin, cefaclor, cefpodoxime, ciprofloxacin, isoniazid, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, rifampicin and tetracyclines (used to treat infection);
• gabapentin or phenytoin (used to treat epilepsy);
• itraconazole or ketoconazole (used to treat fungal infections);
• fexofenadine (used to treat allergies);
• chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine (used to prevent or treat malaria);
• phenothiazines e.g. chlorpromazine (used to treat anxiety or depression);
• sulpiride (used to treat schizophrenia);
• digoxin (used to treat heart problems);
• deflazacort (used to treat inflammation and allergic reactions);
• penicillamine (used to treat rheumatism);
• lansoprazole (used to help heal ulcers);
• bile acids e.g. ursodeoxycholic acid (used to treat gall stones);
• bisphosphonates e.g. alendronate (used to help prevent brittle bones);
• diflunisal (used for pain relief);
• antivirals e.g. amprenavir, atazanavir and tipranavir (used to treat viral infections);
• dipyridamole (used to treat heart rhythm disorders or if you have had a stroke);
• mycophenolate (used to prevent organ transplant rejection);
• rosuvastatin (used to control cholesterol).

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Driving and using machines

Not known.

Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules contains Sodium

This medicine contains 135 mg sodium (main component of cooking/table salt) in each capsule. This is equivalent to 67.5% of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult.

3. How to take Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules

Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

• Swallow the capsules with a drink of water, or
• Empty the contents of the capsules into a glass of water. Stir until the powder has dissolved and then drink the solution.

Adults and Elderly

• The usual dose is between 1 and 5g (2 to 10 capsules).
• The maximum daily dose is 5g (10 capsules).

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

Use in children

Children over 12 years

• – The usual dose is between 1 and 5g (2 to 10 capsules).

• – The maximum daily dose is 5g (10 capsules).

Children under 12 years – Not recommended.

If you take more Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules than you should

• If you take more Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules than the label states or than your doctor has prescribed, or if you think a child has accidentally swallowed any, contact the nearest hospital casualty department or a doctor for advice immediately.
• Take this leaflet, and any capsules that you still have, to show the doctor.

If you forget to take Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules

• If you miss a dose, take the next dose as soon as you remember.

Do not take double the amount to make up for the forgotten dose.

If you have any further guestions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

• If you take this medicine for long periods of time you may experience muscle weakness and cramps;
• stomach pain;
• feeling bloated;
• belching;
• high blood pressure and water retention because the capsules contain a lot of sodium.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Sodium Bicarbonate 500mg Capsules

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label and the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not store above 25°C.

Store in the original container and keep the container tightly closed.

Do not use this medicine if you notice any damage to or discoloration of the tablets. Return them to your pharmacist.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. contents of the pack and other information what sodium bicarbonate 500mg capsules contain

• The active substance is sodium bicarbonate. There are 500 milligrams (mg) of sodium bicarbonate in each capsule, of which 135 milligrams (mg) is sodium.
• The other ingredients are gelatin, titanium dioxide (El 71) and black ink (containing shellac, dehydrated alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, purified water, black iron oxide (El 72) and strong ammonium solution).