Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

POTASSIUM BICARBONATE

Potassium bicarbonate is a marketed drug primarily indicated for the treatment of hypokalemia. The key composition patent is set to expire in 2028, providing a period of market exclusivity. The primary risk is the potential increase in competition following patent expiry.

At a glance

Approved indications

• Hypokalemia
• Chronic Digitalis Intoxication
• Hypokalemic Familial Periodic Paralysis
• Prevention of Potassium Depletion - Digitalis and Diuretics
• Prevention of Potassium Depletion - Hepatic Cirrhosis with Ascites
• Prevention of Potassium Depletion - Aldosterone Excess
• Prevention of Potassium Depletion - Potassium-Losing Nephropathy
• Prevention of Potassium Depletion - Diarrheal States
• Prevention of Potassium Depletion - Corticosteroid Therapy

Common side effects

• Nausea
• Abdominal fullness
• Bloating
• Abdominal cramps
• Vomiting
• Anal irritation

Serious adverse events

• Anaphylactic reaction
• Upper GI bleeding from Mallory-Weiss Tear
• Esophageal perforation
• Asystole
• Sudden dyspnea with pulmonary edema
• Cardiac Arrhythmias
• Seizures
• Colonic Mucosal Ulcerations
• Ischemic Colitis
• Aspiration

Drug interactions

• potassium-sparing diuretic
• salt substitutes
• angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• beta-adrenergic blocking drugs
• heparin
• low-salt foods
• other potassium-containing medications
• digitalis glycosides

Key clinical trials

• Safety of a Healthy Plant-based Diet With Higher Potassium Content, Compared to a Healthy Plant-based Diet With Limited Potassium Content in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Pilot Study (NA)
• Study of the Safety of a Particular Herpes Vaccine in Adults With or Without Herpes Infection (PHASE1)
• FENOX Trial (Comparative Effectiveness of Fexuprazan Co-therapy in Patients Receiving Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants) (NA)
• A Trial of 2 Options for Second Line Combination Antiretroviral Therapy Following Virological Failure of a Standard Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NNRTI)+2N(t)RTI First Line Regimen (PHASE4)
• Serum Potassium Prediction Using Machine Learning and Single-lead ECG
• Optimization of Minocycline for Helicobacter Pylori Rescue Treatment (PHASE4)
• Neoadjuvant Imatinib and Fampridine in KIT Mutant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (PHASE1)
• APLAUD Trial (Antibiotics vs PLacebo for Acute Uncomplicated Diverticulitis) (PHASE2)

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.