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Abstract
Sodium bicarbonate is an extremely well-known agent that historically has been used
for a variety of medical conditions. Despite the widespread use of oral bicarbonate,
little documented toxicity has occurred, and the emergency medicine literature contains
no reports of toxicity caused by the ingestion of baking soda. Risks of acute and
chronic oral bicarbonate ingestion include metabolic alkalosis, hypernatremia, hypertension,
gastric rupture, hyporeninemia, hypokalemia, hypochloremia, intravascular volume depletion,
and urinary alkalinization. Abrupt cessation of chronic excessive bicarbonate ingestion
may result in hyperkalemia, hypoaldosteronism, volume contraction, and disruption
of calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The case of a patient with three hospital admissions
in 4 months, all the result of excessive oral intake of bicarbonate for symptomatic
relief of dyspepsia is reported. Evaluation and treatment of patients with acute bicarbonate
ingestion is discussed.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Accepted:
May 28,
1993
Received:
April 9,
1993
Footnotes
☆Presented in abstract form at the 87th Annual Scientific Assembly of the Southern Medical Association on October 28, 1993 in New Orleans, LA.
Identification
Copyright
© 1994 Published by Elsevier Inc.
