A urinary alkaliniser
Sodium citrate
An over-the-counter urinary alkaliniser used to ease the stinging of mild cystitis.
What is Sodium citrate?
Sodium citrate makes the urine less acidic, which can ease the stinging and burning of mild cystitis (a lower urinary tract infection). It is sold over the counter as sachets you dissolve in water, usually taken over a couple of days. It is not an antibiotic and does not cure the infection, so see a doctor if symptoms last more than a day or two, if there is fever, blood in the urine, or if you are pregnant or it is a man or child. Because the sachets carry a salt (sodium) load, they need caution in people with high blood pressure, heart problems or kidney problems.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Sodium citrate — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Sodium citrate is a urinary alkaliniser that makes the urine less acidic. It is the active ingredient in several over-the-counter cystitis sachets, which are dissolved in water and drunk to relieve the stinging, burning discomfort of mild cystitis, the common lower urinary tract infection. It does not kill the bacteria causing the infection, but by reducing the acidity of the urine it can soothe the symptoms while the infection settles. It is intended for short-term relief of straightforward cystitis in otherwise well adult women.
How it works
During cystitis the inflamed lining of the bladder and urethra can sting as acidic urine passes over it. Sodium citrate is processed by the body in a way that leaves the urine more alkaline (less acidic), which soothes that stinging and burning. It does not attack the bacteria, so it works alongside the body's own defences and, where needed, antibiotics. Because the relief comes from changing the urine rather than from killing germs, it is best thought of as symptom relief while a mild infection clears on its own.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Generic (long-established).
A urinary alkaliniser used in the UK, sold over the counter as sachets to ease the stinging of mild cystitis.
Practical use
How to take Sodium citrate
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Dissolve each sachet fully in water and drink it, then keep your fluid intake up through the day.
- Use it for short-term relief of the stinging of mild cystitis, typically over a couple of days only.
- See a doctor if symptoms last more than a day or two, keep returning, or come with fever, back pain or blood in the urine.
- Use it with caution, or take advice first, if you have high blood pressure, heart problems or kidney problems, as it carries a salt load.
- Do not take it at the same time as potassium-based cystitis products unless a healthcare professional has advised it.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Sodium citrate
Advantages
- Eases the stinging and burning of mild cystitis while the infection settles.
- Convenient over-the-counter sachets that simply dissolve in water.
- Suitable for short-term relief of straightforward cystitis in otherwise well adult women.
Disadvantages
- It only relieves symptoms and does not cure the urinary infection, which may still need antibiotics.
- Carries a salt (sodium) load, so it is not suitable for everyone, especially with high blood pressure or heart problems.
- Has a salty taste and can cause mild stomach upset in some people.
Practical use
Good to know
The most important point is that sodium citrate sachets relieve symptoms; they are not antibiotics and do not treat the infection itself. They suit short-term relief of mild cystitis in an otherwise well adult woman, alongside drinking plenty of fluids. See a doctor if symptoms last more than a day or two, get worse, keep returning, or come with fever, back or side pain, blood in the urine, or if you are pregnant, or if the person affected is a man or a child, as these need proper assessment. Because the sachets contain a sodium (salt) load, they should be used with caution by people with high blood pressure, heart failure or kidney problems, and by anyone advised to keep their salt intake down. Stick to the recommended short course and do not take them at the same time as potassium-based urinary products without advice.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People with high blood pressure, heart failure or significant kidney problems should not use it without advice.
- Anyone on a salt-restricted diet should avoid it unless a healthcare professional agrees.
- Pregnant women, men and children with cystitis symptoms should see a doctor rather than self-treat.
Monitoring
- Reviewing whether symptoms are settling and whether antibiotics or further assessment are needed.
- Caution in people with high blood pressure, heart or kidney problems because of the salt load.
- Keeping to the short recommended course rather than using it long term.
Side effects
- Mild stomach upset, nausea or a feeling of fullness.
- A salty taste that some people find unpleasant.
- In susceptible people, the salt load can worsen fluid retention or blood pressure.
Key interactions
- The salt load can work against medicines for high blood pressure and heart failure.
- Changing the acidity of the urine can affect how some other medicines are handled by the body.
- Should not be combined with potassium-based urinary alkalinisers at the same time without advice.
Available as: Sachets of granules dissolved in water and taken by mouth.
Answers
Sodium citrate: frequently asked questions
Do sodium citrate sachets cure cystitis?
No. They ease the stinging of mild cystitis but are not antibiotics and do not cure the infection, which may still need treatment from a doctor.
When should I see a doctor instead?
See a doctor if symptoms last more than a day or two, keep coming back, or come with fever, back pain or blood in the urine, or if you are pregnant or it is a man or child.
Are they safe if I have high blood pressure?
Use caution; the sachets contain a salt load, so people with high blood pressure, heart failure or kidney problems should take advice before using them.
How do I use them?
Dissolve each sachet fully in water, drink it, and keep your fluids up, following the directions on the pack for the short recommended course.
Can I take them with potassium citrate?
Not at the same time without advice, as they are both urinary alkalinisers and combining them could overdo the effect.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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