Drug & supplement interaction

Sodium Bicarbonate + Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine

Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine brand name: Coldec TR.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Sodium Bicarbonate has a moderate interaction with Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine. Theoretically, sodium bicarbonate may increase levels and adverse effects of pseudoephedrine.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodProbable
EvidenceB
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Sodium Bicarbonate and Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

PSEUDOEPHEDRINE (Sudafed)

Theoretically, sodium bicarbonate may increase levels and adverse effects of pseudoephedrine.
In humans, intravenous or oral administration of sodium bicarbonate can increase urinary pH. Clinical evidence shows that urine alkalinization increases the serum elimination half-life of pseudoephedrine by approximately 10-fold. In one patient with persistently alkaline urine, treatment with pseudoephedrine resulted in hallucinations and personality changes.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence B

Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist for your Coldec TR, which pairs an antihistamine (carbinoxamine) with the decongestant pseudoephedrine. Your kidneys normally clear pseudoephedrine out in the urine, and they do it faster when your urine is more acidic. Baking soda makes your urine more alkaline, which slows that exit. The result is that pseudoephedrine can hang around in your body longer and build up to higher levels.

In plain terms, that can mean stronger and longer-lasting decongestant effects: a racing or pounding heart, jittery or restless feelings, trouble sleeping, and higher blood pressure. In a rare reported case with persistently alkaline urine, it even caused hallucinations. An occasional antacid dose is unlikely to be a big deal, but regular or high-dose baking soda is worth running by your pharmacist or doctor first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Brater DC, Kaojarern S, Benet LZ, et al. Renal excretion of pseudoephedrine. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1980;28(5):690-4. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Sodium Bicarbonate Also Interacts With Other Medications

Sodium Bicarbonate has 256 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 256 No known interaction 2,574 (incl. Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Sodium Bicarbonate

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Sodium Bicarbonate. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine

This page covers Sodium Bicarbonate only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine page lists 63 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Ephedra (major), Peyote (major), Rauvolfia Vomitoria (major) and Sida Cordifolia (major).

By severity: 5 major · 45 moderate · 13 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine page

“Coldec TR combines an antihistamine, arbinoxamine, with pseudoephedrine, a decongestant that acts as a stimulant, and that is exactly where most of its 63 supplement interactions come from. Treat this list with real care before adding a supplement.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Sodium Bicarbonate as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 176 real supplement products containing Sodium Bicarbonate, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Sodium Bicarbonate. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine too, on top of Sodium Bicarbonate — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Sodium Bicarbonate and Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Sodium Bicarbonate
Top 25%

#358 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine
Top half

#905 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Sodium Bicarbonate

What is Sodium Bicarbonate?

  • Heartburn and indigestion (antacid)
  • Athletic performance (exercise buffer)
  • Urine alkalinization
  • Soothing skin irritation or itching (topical baths)
  • Mouth rinse and oral care

Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is a simple compound most often used as a fast-acting antacid and, in sports, as a buffer that may help with short, high-intensity exercise. It is generally safe in small, occasional doses, but it is high in sodium and can cause serious problems if overused, so people with heart, kidney, or blood pressure issues should be careful and check with a pharmacist or doctor.

Read the full Sodium Bicarbonate monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Sodium Bicarbonate

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Sodium Bicarbonate — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
256Moderate
0Minor
2,573No known interaction
256 Moderate 2,573 No interaction
Moderate

256 interactions

Showing 60 of 256 moderate interactions — see all 256 on the Sodium Bicarbonate page.

No interaction 2,573 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Sodium Bicarbonate against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,573 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Sodium Bicarbonate list.

See the full Sodium Bicarbonate interactions page
See every supplement checked against Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Sodium Bicarbonate monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Sodium Bicarbonate and Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine Together: Common Questions

Can you take Sodium Bicarbonate with Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Sodium Bicarbonate and Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Arbinoxamine, Pseudoephedrine and Sodium Bicarbonate?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.