citric acid and potassium citrate

What is the most important information I should know about citric acid and potassium citrate?

What is citric acid and potassium citrate?

Citric acid and potassium citrate is a combination medicine used to make the urine more alkaline or less acidic. This can help rid your body of uric acid, which can help prevent gout or kidney stones.

Citric acid and potassium citrate is also used to treat or prevent metabolic acidosis caused by kidney disease.

Citric acid and potassium citrate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking citric acid and potassium citrate?

• high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia);
• damage to your heart (such as from a heart attack);
• severe kidney disease or kidney failure;
• untreated Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder);
• muscle spasms caused by heavy exercise in hot environments (heat cramps);
• if you are unable to urinate; or
• if you are severely dehydrated.

Tell your doctor if you have recently been sick with vomiting, or if you've ever had:

• kidney disease;
• urination probolems;
• heart problems; or
• stomach or intestinal bleeding.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I take citric acid and potassium citrate?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

This medicine can irritate your esophagus, stomach, or intestines. To prevent this, the liquid or the powder form of citric acid and potassium citrate should be mixed with water or juice.

The amount of water or juice used will depend on your dose and whether you use the liquid or powder. Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Citric acid and potassium citrate works best when taken after meals and at bedtime. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

You may need frequent medical tests. Even if you have no symptoms, tests can help your doctor determine if this medicine is effective. Your heart function also may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).

You should not stop using citric acid and potassium citrate suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

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?

Overdose symptoms may include numbness and tingling, confusion, heavy feeling in your arms or legs, muscle weakness, limp feeling, slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, and slow breathing (breathing may stop).

What should I avoid while taking citric acid and potassium citrate?

What are the possible side effects of citric acid and potassium citrate?

• severe stomach pain, bloating;
• nausea, vomiting, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• bloody or tarry stools;
• alkalosis (when the body is too alkaline) --confusion, nausea, vomiting, numbness or tingling, tremors, muscle twitching or spasm; or
• high potassium level --nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement.

Less serious side effects may be more likely, and you may have none at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect citric acid and potassium citrate?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• digoxin, digitalis;
• a potassium supplement or other medication that contains potassium;
• cold or allergy medicine that contains an antihistamine such as brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, Benadryl, and others.
• an "ACE inhibitor" heart or blood pressure medication --benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, trandolapril; or
• a "potassium-sparing" diuretic (water pill) --amiloride, eplerenone, spironolactone, triamterene.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect citric acid and potassium citrate, 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 citric acid and potassium citrate.