ALIZER
| Generic Name: | Disodium Hydrogen Citrate |
| Therapeutic Category: | Urinary Alkalizer, Systemic Alkalizer |
| Pharmacological Class: | Alkalinizing agent |
| Composition: | Each 5 ml contains Dihydrogen Sodium Citrate BP 1.38 gm |
| Pregnancy Category: | C |
| Presentation: | Available in 100 ml bottle with a measuring cap |
What is Alizer and what is it used for?
Alizer contains Serratiopeptidase 5/10 mg in tablet form. Disodium Hydrogen Citrate is an acid salt of citric acid with the chemical formula Na2C6H6O7. It is used as an antioxidant in food as well as to improve the effects of other antioxidants. It is used in:
- Acidosis following diarrhea
- Painful/Burning Micturition (UTI)
- Renal Tubular Acidosis
- Hyperuricemia
- Kidney stones
How does it work?
Alizer is a urine alkalizer. It works by making the urine less acidic. This helps the kidneys get rid of excess uric acid, thereby preventing burning micturition, acidosis and certain types of kidney stones.
How to take Alizer?
Adults: The recommended dose is 5-10 mg 3 times per day.
Children: The drug is not used in children due to the absence of clinical data
To help prevent diarrhea and stomach upset, take each dose after a meal,
What if you miss a dose?
If you forget to take a dose of Alizer, do not worry. Just take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
What to do in case of overdose?
In case of overdose, contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have taken more Lactulose than you should. Taking high dose will not help you recover faster. However, it may only expose you to increased side effects only.
What do you need to know before you take Alizer?
Do not take Alizer in case of:
- Hypersensitivity to any component of the formulation
- Patients on sodium restricted diets
- Hypertension
- Edema
- Hyperosmolar states
Warning and Precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Alizer in case of:
- a certain breathing problem (pulmonary edema), low calcium levels, high blood pressure, heart problems (e.g., irregular heartbeat, heart failure), kidney disease, swollen ankles/legs/feet due to retaining water (peripheral edema).
It is important to monitor serum electrolytes.
Alizer and other medications
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicine.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
This medication should be used during pregnancy only if the possible benefit outweighs the possible risk to the unborn baby. Caution is recommended in lactating mothers.
Driving and using machines
Alizer will not affect your ability to drive safely or use machines.
What are the possible side effects?
Common side-effects are mild diuresis, stomach cramps, flatulence, diarrhea, GI ulceration, metabolic alkalosis, anxiety, mood swings.
Mechanism of action:
As Urinary Alkalizer
- When you take Alizer, it moves through your body.
- When it reaches your liver, it is converted to bicarbonate, a usable form of base in the body.
- This helps change the pH in your urinary tract from acidic to more basic.
- By reducing the acidity of the urinary tract, you can experience a reduction in symptoms.
In reduction of stone formation
- As an added bonus, citrate can bind with acidic materials in kidneys to prevent calcium oxalate stones from forming.
- A rise in urinary pH increases the solubility of Cysteine in the urine and the ionization of Uric Acid to more soluble urate ion.
- By maintaining alkaline urine, the actual dissolution of uric acid stones may be accomplished.
Pharmacokinetic properties:
Absorption: Reaches maximum concentration in 1-2 hours
Metabolism: Citrate is metabolized to bicarbonate in the liver and plays a role as an intermediate in the citric acid cycle
Route of elimination: Largely eliminated through hepatic metabolism with very little cleared by the kidneys
Half-life: 18-54 minutes
Alizer and other medicines
- Aspirin and other salicylates, lithium, quinidine.
- Enhances elimination of barbiturates