In addition to its use as a medicinal excipient, sodium bicarbonate is a chemical compound with many uses as a medicine in its own right due to its weak base properties. It is used extensively in the treatment of healthcare including heart pain, indigestion, high potassium levels, and high acidity levels in the blood or urine.

We briefly describe several uses of sodium bicarbonate.

(1 ) Smoking metabolic acidosis. For the treatment of mild to moderate metabolic acidosis, oral administration is appropriate. For severe metabolic acidosis, intravenous drips should be administered.

(2) Alkalinisation of urine. Used for prevention of uric acid kidney stones, reduction of nephrotoxicity of sulphonamide and other drugs, and acute haemolysis to prevent haemoglobin deposition in the renal tubules.

(3) Sitz baths with sodium bicarbonate solution can be used for the prevention of gynaecological inflammatory diseases such as mycosis fungoides.

(4) As an acid control agent to treat symptoms caused by excess stomach acid.

(5) Intravenous drip has a non-specific therapeutic effect on poisoning by certain drugs, such as barbiturates, salicylates and methanol.

(6) Topical paste of sodium bicarbonate relieves symptoms of insect bites. It is best to mix this compound with water and apply it several times a day until the symptoms disappear.

(7) For the treatment of gout and other joint problems, baking soda, with its properties that can help neutralise excess acid, is used as an effective remedy.