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Citric Acid
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Description
Citric Acid is an organic acid. It is only given in combination with potassium and/or sodium citrate and is used to treat metabolic acidosis (a condition with high acid levels in your body). It is also used for the prevention and treatment of kidney stones. It works by reducing acid levels in your body and by making your urine less acidic.
Citric Acid is only given in combination with sodium or potassium citrate. Hence, individual side effects are not known. However, when given in combination, it is known to cause an upset stomach and diarrhoea.
Citric Acid should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Close evaluation with respect to your current medicines is necessary to avoid any undesired side effects. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using Citric Acid.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Citric Acid
Uses of Citric Acid
What is it prescribed for?
Metabolic Acidosis
Metabolic acidosis is a condition with high acid levels in your body. It may occur when your kidneys are unable to function properly and remove excess acid from your body. Symptoms may include rapid breathing, nausea, headache, confusion, weakness, tiredness, etc. Citric Acid along with sodium and/or potassium citrate is used in the treatment of metabolic acidosis. It works by reducing acid levels in your body, making your urine less acidic, and also reducing the risk of kidney stones.
Kidney stones
Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and acid that form in your kidneys. Symptoms may include severe pain in your abdomen, back pain, nausea, vomiting, pain during urination, blood in urine, frequent urination, etc. Citric Acid along with sodium and/or potassium citrate is used in the prevention and treatment of kidney stones.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The time required by Citric Acid to show its action is not clinically known.Duration of effect
The duration for which Citric Acid remains active in your body is not clinically known.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit-forming tendency has been reported with Citric Acid.Usage in pregnancy?
Due to a lack of safety and efficacy data, the risk to your developing foetus due to Citric Acid is not known. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor.Usage while breast-feeding?
It is not known if Citric Acid passes into breastmilk. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
Allergy
Avoid Citric Acid if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Due to a lack of safety and efficacy data, the risk to your developing foetus due to Citric Acid is not known. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor.
Breast-feeding
It is not known if Citric Acid passes into breastmilk. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
General warnings
Other Medicines
Citric Acid may interact with other medicines and may cause undesired side effects. Inform your doctor about all your current medicines including any herbs or supplements before taking this medicine.
Dilute before use
Citric Acid should be diluted adequately with water to reduce the risk of a stomach injury.
Missed Dose
Try not to skip a dose of Citric Acid. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one. Do not double the dose to compensate for a missed one.
Overdose
Do not take more dose than that is prescribed by your doctor. Contact your doctor if you suspect an overdose with Citric Acid.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take the prescribed amount of Citric Acid and dilute it with 1 glass of water. Take this medicine after meals and at bedtime, or as directed by your doctor.
Do not take more or less than the prescribed dose. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor as it may worsen your condition.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Citric Acid makes your urine less favorable for the formation of stones. It inhibits the stone formation and breaks up small stones that are beginning to form. It coats the small stones and prevents them from attaching to other crystals and become into larger ones.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Urinary Alkalinizing Agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Uwhealth.org. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 29 September 2021].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Citric acid. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 September 2021].
Go.drugbank.com. 2021. Citric acid: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action | DrugBank Online. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 September 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Potassium Citrate and Citric Acid Oral Solution USP. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 29 September 2021].
Umcvc.org. 2021. citric acid, potassium citrate, and sodium citrate | Frankel Cardiovascular Center | Michigan Medicine. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 29 September 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Potassium Citrate Mixture - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 29 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 26 Oct 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.