Sodium Bicarbonate - Dyphylline, Guaifenesin Interaction

Interaction Details

Dyphylline, Guaifenesin is classified as belonging to the following category: Methylxanthines

Theoretically, sodium bicarbonate may increase the risk of hypokalemia in patients taking methylxanthines.
Orally, use of excessive sodium bicarbonate (such as the intake of "tablespoons" of sodium bicarbonate daily or up to one box of baking soda weekly) has been associated with cases of hypokalemia. Furthermore, the most common complication of intravenous sodium bicarbonate is hypokalemia. Theophylline and related drugs can reduce serum potassium levels, possibly by increasing intracellular uptake of potassium. Hypokalemia is most likely to occur after acute overdose of these drugs. However, reduced potassium levels can occur with therapeutic doses, and the incidence and degree of hypokalemia increases with increasing serum theophylline levels.

Interaction Rating

Likelihood of Occurrence

Interaction 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

References

• Ellenhorn MJ, et al. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnoses and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1997.
• Crane J, Burgess CD, Graham AN, Maling TJB. Hypokalemic and electrocardiographic effects of aminophylline and salbutamol in obstructive airways disease. NZ Med J 1987;100:309-11.
• Zantvoort FA, Derkx FHM, Boomsma F, et al. Theophylline and serum electrolytes (letter). Ann Int Med 1986;104:134-5.
• Braat MCP, Jonkers RE, Bel EH, Van Boxtel CJ. Quantification of theophylline-induced eosinopenia and hypokalamia in healthy volunteers. Clin Pharmacokinet 1992;22:231-7..
• Flack JM, Ryder KW, Strickland D, Whang R. Metabolic correlates of theophylline therapy: a concentration-related phenomenon. Ann Pharmacother 1994;28:175-9..
• Proudfoot, A. T., Krenzelok, E. P., and Vale, J. A. Position Paper on urine alkalinization. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2004;42(1):1-26.
• Fitzgibbons, L. J. and Snoey, E. R. Severe metabolic alkalosis due to baking soda ingestion: case reports of two patients with unsuspected antacid overdose. J Emerg Med 1999;17(1):57-61.

Sodium Bicarbonate - More Interactions

Sodium Bicarbonate interacts with 257 drugs

Interaction Rating Key

These severity listings are for informational use only. Never start, stop or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.