Sodium Bicarbonate Side Effects

Possible side effects of sodium bicarbonate are listed below. Call your doctor for medical advice if they are severe or persist after a few days.

• Gas
• Stomach cramps
• Excessive thirst

Rarely, sodium bicarbonate administration can cause more serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention if you develop: 

• Severe headache
• Nausea
• Coffee grounds vomit
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness
• Muscle pain or muscle twitching
• Irritability
• Urinary frequency
• Slowed breathing
• Swelling of the lower legs or feet
• Blood in urine  
• Blood in stool or black, tarry stools

The above list may not include all the potential adverse effects of sodium bicarbonate. Contact your healthcare provider if your side effects are unusual or severe or do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Sodium bicarbonate Overdose: In case of an overdose of sodium bicarbonate, call your doctor immediately. You can also call the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 or emergency services if a person has collapsed, cannot breathe, has had a seizure, or cannot be awakened.

Source: FDA