Bicarbonate Ion: Side Effects, Uses & Monitoring

Labeled uses

Sodium Bicarbonate Injection is indicated in the treatment of metabolic acidosis which may occur 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. Sodium bicarbonate is further indicated in the treatment of certain drug intoxications, including barbiturates (where dissociation of the barbiturate-protein complex is desired), in poisoning by salicylates or methyl alcohol and in hemolytic reactions requiring alkalinization of the urine to diminish nephrotoxicity of hemoglobin and its breakdown products. Sodium bicarbonate also is indicated in severe diarrhea which is often accompanied by a significant loss of bicarbonate. Treatment of  metabolic  acidosis  should,  if  possible,  be  superimposed  on measures  designed  to  control  the  basic  cause  of  the  acidosis  -  e.g., insulin in uncomplicated diabetes, blood volume  restoration in  shock. But since  an appreciable  time  interval  may elapse  before  all  of  the  ancillary effects  are  brought  about,  bicarbonate  therapy  is  indicated  to  minimize  risks  inherent  to  the…