Disodium Hydrogen Citrate Syrup1 is a medication containing disodium hydrogen citrate, an acid salt of citric acid. Some of the staple uses are treating conditions like Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), Kidney Stones, Renal Tubular Acidosis, Cystitis, and Gout. It works as an alkalizing agent, generally used after diluting with water.
It is a common drug but should be used with caution for heart failure and kidney failure patients to prevent unwanted symptoms. This drug can cause side effects such as stomach changes, nausea, vomiting, discomfort, etc.
1. How Does Disodium Hydrogen Citrate Syrup Work?
Hydrogen citrate is a urine alkalizer that makes the urine less acidic by increasing its pH. It helps the kidney by getting rid of excess uric acid, thereby preventing the kidney from kidney stones and gout disease.
2. Disodium Hydrogen Citrate Syrup Uses
2.1. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Urinary Tract Infections are more common in women as compared to males. This happens when your urinary system comes in contact with bacteria.
Prescribed as an adjunct therapy for UTIs, the alkalinizing properties of disodium hydrogen citrate help in reducing the acidity of urine, creating an adverse environment for bacteria to grow and thrive lower urinary tract.
By making the urine less acidic it also relieves the burning sensation during urination commonly associated with few patients with Urinary Tract Infections and promotes fast recovery from bladder infection.
2.2. Kidney Stones Prevention
Minerals and acid salts in concentrated urine sometimes crystallize into clumps, forming kidney stones.
Symptoms of kidney stones include cloudy or bad-smelling urine, reddish or brownish urine, vomiting, fever, chills, severe pain in the abdomen or groin, etc.
The alkalinizing properties of disodium hydrogen citrate not only work best for Urinary Tract Infection, but it is also beneficial in preventing certain types of kidney stones. It helps to inhibit the crystallization of minerals and urinary acidosis that contribute to stone formation by maintaining a higher urine pH, reducing the risk of stone recurrence.
2.3. Cystitis Treatment
Cystitis is a bladder inflammation, often caused by bacterial infections. Common symptoms of Cystitis are frequent urge to urinate, small amounts of urination, pain or burning sensation while urinating, and low-grade fever.
Taking disodium hydrogen citrate syrup can help relieve the symptoms associated with it, such as pain and discomfort during urination and frequent and painful urination. It works by soothing the inflamed bladder lining and promoting a healthier urinary environment.
2.4. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
GERD is a disease in which the stomach acid or bile inflames the esophagus lining, causing digestion problems. Common symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux2 are gastrointestinal ulceration, heartburn, upper abdominal pain or chest pain, trouble swallowing, laryngitis, and dry cough.
Disodium hydrogen citrate is sometimes prescribed as a supplementary treatment for gastroesophageal reflux. The alkalinizing properties of the syrup help neutralize the stomach acid and reduce acidity in the esophagus, providing relief from symptoms like heartburn, stomach pain, and acid reflux.
2.5. Prevention of Calcium Oxalate Crystal Formation
Calcium oxalate crystals are the hard cluster of minerals, acid salts, and other substances that form in the kidneys. These crystals are formed by oxalate, a substance found in foods combined with calcium and in green and leafy vegetables.
Disodium hydrogen citrate can be used as a preventive measure for individuals prone to kidney infection due to calcium oxalate formation in the concentrated urine. Increasing the pH of urine inhibits the genesis of calcium oxalate crystals, which are a common component of kidney stones.
2.6. Relief from Hyperuricemia
Hyperuricemia 3or elevated uric acid is a condition characterized by high levels of uric acid in the blood that can lead to the formation of urate crystals in the joints, causing gout. Patients who suffer from gout experience unbearable and severe pain with swelling and soreness in their joints.
Taking disodium hydrogen citrate syrup can help with pelvic pain, relieve hyperuricemia, and increase the excretion of uric acid through the urine, reducing the risks of gout attacks.
2.7. As an Antioxidant
Disodium hydrogen citrate is known for its antioxidant properties, primarily due to its ability to scavenge free radicals. Oxidative stress and vandalism to cells are caused by ROS and, RNS, and capricious molecules. Antioxidants help neutralize these free radicals and prevent or reduce oxidative damage.
Disodium Citrate Syrup is primarily used as an acidity regulator and flavoring agent in the food and beverage industry due to its presence of citric acid.
It is used as a sequestrant and acidity regulator in fizzy drinks, gelatin, and wine. It has anti-aging properties and can be used both as a standalone or aide to boost the effectiveness of other antioxidants.
3. Common Side-Effects of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate Syrup
- Abdominal discomfort
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Excessive gas in the stomach
- Unpleasant taste
- Frequent urination
- Irregular heartbeat
- Vomiting tiredness, frequent urge
4. When to Prevent Disodium Hydrogen Citrate?
It is important to note that disodium hydrogen citrate should be taken under the supervision of your doctor only. They will make the dose adjustment based on your specific condition and medical history.
4.1. Allergy
Prevent the intake of Disodium Hydrogen if you’re allergic to it, as it can cause some unwanted effects. Inform your doctor if any symptoms such as itching, swelling, skin rash, dizziness, or breathing difficulties are seen.
4.2. Acute Kidney Disease
Those with acute kidney disease should prevent Disodium Hydrogen Citrate as it harbors the potential risks of worsening the medical condition itself. Use only if your physician consults it.
4.3. Hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia 4is a condition when high potassium levels are found in the blood. People with this condition should prevent the intake of Disodium hydrogen citrate due to the risks of worsening the condition.
4.5. Liver Impairment
Patients with liver impairment should prevent intake of disodium hydrogen citrate as this medicine works by breaking down its molecules in the liver.
5. Dosage of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate Syrup
The dosage of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate syrup for adults is 15 to 30 ml twice or thrice a day, after a meal or on a full or empty stomach either.
In case of an overdose, access medical care immediately.
In case of a missed dose of the medication, take it immediately as you recur.
6. Is Disodium Hydrogen Citrate Syrup Antibiotic?
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate is a urinary alkalizer used for the treatment of severe renal dysfunction, severe bacterial infection in patients, difficulty urination, renal tubular acidosis, and urinary tract infections.
Taking disodium hydrogen citrate can help treat bacterial infections as it has some mild antimicrobial properties due to its pH-regulating effects. However, it is not classified as an antibiotic.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Much Time Does It Take to Start Working?
The exact amount of time required for Disodium hydrogen citrate to work is still obscure. However, due to its plain method of activity, it begins functioning within a few minutes of intake.
How Should Disodium Hydrogen Citrate Syrup Stored?
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate shall be kept at room temperature. Preventing the reach of kids, pets, and direct sunlight.
What Is the Extent of Effect of Disodium Hydrogen Citrate Syrup
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate could remain active in the body for about 3-5 hours. Depending upon intake, it could remain active for a longer duration.
Is It Habit-Forming?
No such cases as inducing an addiction were reported for Disodium Hydrogen Citrate.
Is It Harmless with Alcohol?
Association with alcohol is unspecified. Appointment with your physician is advised before consumption.
Is It Safe for Use Pregnancy?
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate is not recommended for pregnant women because of its potential risks of affecting the safety of the fetus.
Can We Use It While Breastfeeding?
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate is not recommended for breastfeeding women unless it is necessary.
8. Conclusion
Disodium Hydrogen Citrate makes the body able to dissolve kidney stones by increasing the alkalinity of the urine. It is helpful for patients with high potassium levels, low blood calcium levels, and painful urination, renal tubular acidosis, urinary tract infections.
It is a sodium acidic salt of citric acid, which helps excrete acids through urine. Some other benefits of disodium hydrogen citrate syrups are acidity regulator, sequestrant, and household ingredient that removes stains.
The syrup-form interactions are advised to be prevented by high blood sugar patients as it contains sugar.
- Hong, Jerry, et al. “Structures of disodium hydrogen citrate monohydrate, Na2HC6H5O7 (H2O), and diammonium sodium citrate,(NH4) 2NaC6H5O7, from powder diffraction data.” Acta Crystallographica Section E: Crystallographic Communications 76.10 (2020): 1572-1578. ↩︎
- Kahrilas, Peter J. “Gastroesophageal reflux disease.” New england journal of medicine 359.16 (2008): 1700-1707. ↩︎
- Gliozzi, Micaela, et al. “The treatment of hyperuricemia.” International journal of cardiology 213 (2016): 23-27. ↩︎
- Hollander-Rodriguez, Joyce C., and James F. Calvert Jr. “Hyperkalemia.” American family physician 73.2 (2006): 283-290. ↩︎
Last Updated on by Namrata
