You should not use this medication if you have severe kidney disease, severe heart damage (such as from a prior heart attack), Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder), high levels of potassium or sodium in your blood, or if you are severely dehydrated.
You should not take citric acid, potassium citrate, and sodium citrate tablets if you have problems with your esophagus, stomach, or intestines that make it difficult for you to swallow or digest pills.
Before you take citric acid, potassium citrate, and sodium citrate, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, especially kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, a history of heart attack, urinary problems, diabetes, swelling (edema), urination problems, stomach ulcer or chronic diarrhea (such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease), or if you are on a low-salt diet.
Also tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including antacids, heart or blood pressure medications, or a diuretic (water pill).
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood and urine may need to be tested often. Your heart rate may also be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG) to measure electrical activity of the heart. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Serious side effects of citric acid, potassium citrate, and sodium citrate include numbness or tingly feeling, swelling or rapid weight gain, muscle twitching or cramps, fast or slow heart rate, confusion, or mood changes, bloody or tarry stools, severe stomach pain, ongoing diarrhea, or seizure (convulsions).
Citric acid and sodium citrate are alkalinizing agents that make the urine less acidic.
Potassium is a mineral that is found in many foods and is needed for several functions of your body, especially the beating of your heart.
The combination of citric acid, potassium citrate, and sodium citrate is used to prevent gout or kidney stones, or metabolic acidosis in people with kidney problems.
Citric acid, potassium citrate, and sodium citrate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
You should not take citric acid, potassium citrate, and sodium citrate tablets if you have problems with your esophagus, stomach, or intestines that make it difficult for you to swallow or digest pills.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Before you take citric acid, potassium citrate, and sodium citrate, tell your doctor if you have:
It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Citric acid, potassium citrate, and sodium citrate should be taken after meals to help prevent stomach or intestinal side effects. You may also need to take the medicine at bedtime. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Measure the liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
The liquid medicine should be mixed with at lease 4 ounces of water or juice. Drink this mixture slowly and then add a little more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.
You may chill the mixed medicine to make it taste better, but do not allow it to freeze.
Your treatment may include a special diet. It is very important to follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor. You should become very familiar with the list of foods you should eat or avoid to help control your condition.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood and urine may need to be tested often. Your heart rate may also be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG) to measure electrical activity of the heart. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking potassium suddenly, your condition may become worse.
Store citric acid, potassium citrate, and sodium citrate at room temperature away from moisture, heat, or freezing. Keep the medication in a closed container.
Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice, including household baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Antacids that contain aluminum or sodium can interact with citric acid, potassium citrate, and sodium citrate, causing a serious electrolyte imbalance or aluminum toxicity.
Avoid taking potassium supplements or using other foods or products that contain potassium without first asking your doctor. Salt substitutes or low-salt dietary products often contain potassium. If you take certain products together you may accidentally get too much potassium. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains potassium.
Avoid eating foods that are high in salt, or using extra table salt on your meals.
It is very important to follow any diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor. You should become very familiar with the list of foods you should eat or avoid to help control your condition.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
Less serious side effects may include:
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.
The following drugs can interact with citric acid, potassium citrate, and sodium citrate. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with citric acid, potassium citrate, and sodium citrate. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2021 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.02. Revision date: 12/15/2010.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Follow Us
Disclaimer
Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Group Universal Life (GUL) insurance plans are insured by CGLIC. Life (other than GUL), accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and disability plans are insured or administered by Life Insurance Company of North America, except in NY, where insured plans are offered by Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY). All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.
Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details