Last reviewed · How we verify
Sodium citrate/citratic acid
Sodium citrate and citric acid work together to neutralize stomach acid and raise urinary pH, making urine more alkaline.
Sodium citrate and citric acid work together to neutralize stomach acid and raise urinary pH, making urine more alkaline. Used for Prevention of uric acid kidney stones, Prevention of cystine kidney stones, Alkalinization of urine for management of certain poisonings or drug overdoses.
At a glance
| Generic name | Sodium citrate/citratic acid |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center |
| Drug class | Urinary alkalinizing agent |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Urology; Nephrology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Citrate acts as a buffer that neutralizes gastric acid in the stomach, reducing acidity. When absorbed, citrate is metabolized to bicarbonate, which increases urinary pH. This alkalinization of urine is used to prevent formation of certain kidney stones (uric acid and cystine stones) and to enhance renal excretion of certain drugs.
Approved indications
- Prevention of uric acid kidney stones
- Prevention of cystine kidney stones
- Alkalinization of urine for management of certain poisonings or drug overdoses
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal discomfort
- Hyperkalemia (in patients with renal impairment)
Key clinical trials
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape: