Diacart

Diacart is a white, crystalline powder that is commonly used as a pH buffering agent, an electrolyte replenisher, systemic alkalizer and in topical cleansing solutions.

Diacart (Diacart 5% injection) Injection may be indicated in the treatment of metabolic acidosis which can occur in severe renal disease, uncontrolled diabetes, circulatory insufficiency due to shock, anoxia or severe dehydration, extracorporeal circulation of blood and severe primary lactic acidosis. Diacart (Diacart 5% injection) Injection is further indicated in the treatment of certain drug intoxications, including barbiturates, in poisoning by salicylates or methyl alcohol, and in hemolytic reactions requiring alkalinization of the urine to diminish nephrotoxicity of blood pigments. Diacart (Diacart 5% injection) Injection may also be indicated in severe diarrhea which is often accompanied by a significant loss of bicarbonate.

Diacart, also known as baking soda, is used to relieve heartburn, sour stomach, or acid indigestion by neutralizing excess stomach acid. When used for this purpose, it is said to belong to the group of medicines called antacids. It may be used to treat the symptoms of stomach or duodenal ulcers. Diacart is also used to make the blood and urine more alkaline in certain conditions.

Antacids should not be given to young children (up to 6 years of age) unless prescribed by their doctor. Since children cannot usually describe their symptoms very well, a doctor should check the child before giving Diacart. The child may have a condition that needs other treatment. If so, antacids will not help and may even cause unwanted effects or make the condition worse.

Diacart for oral use is available without a prescription.

One vial (5 mL) of Diacart added to a liter (1000 mL) of any of the following Hospira parenteral solutions will increase the pH to a more physiologic range. Specific pH may vary slightly from lot to lot.

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. See PRECAUTIONS.

Addition of one vial of Diacart to one-half liter (500 mL) is recommended to achieve a more physiologic pH of the following Hospira parenteral solutions:

Note: Some products, e.g., Amniosyn® solutions and those lonosol® and Normosol® formulas containing dextrose will NOT be brought to near physiologic pH by the addition of Diacart. This is due to the relatively high buffer capacity of these fluids.

COMPATIBILITY & EFFECTIVNESS FO Diacart WITH ADDITIVES TO 5% DEXTROSE INJECTION (D5-W)

When medications are added to intravenous solutions, the resultant admixtures may or may not be compatible in solutions containing Diacart (4% Diacart additive solution).

Following is a list of medications each added to one liter of 5% Dextrose Injection, USP (D5-W) classified according to their effect with Diacart (4% Diacart additive solution).

It should be noted that the admixtures were evaluated for physical compatibility, not for pharmacological compatibility. It, therefore, would be erroneous to circumvent medical judgment which must be involved in administering any solution that appears to be compatible on the basis of having no visible haze or precipitate. The inclusion of drugsin this study of their compatibility in solution does not imply their therapeutic usefulness or safety. This matter remains the judgment of the prescribing physician.

NOTE: The compatibility information contained herein in based on the studies involving Hospira dextrose only. Variationsin compativility could occur due to lot-to-lot variations or formula changes in the additivies or dextrose solutions of other manufacturers.

See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Diacart?

Diacart (Diacart 5% injection) Injection is contraindicated in patients with metabolic and respiratory alkalosis and in patients with hypocalcemia in which alkalosis may produce tetany.

Use Diacart as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Diacart is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Diacart at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• If Diacart contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Diacart, contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Diacart.

Use: Labeled Indications

Management of metabolic acidosis; gastric hyperacidity; alkalinization of the urine; treatment of hyperkalemia; management of overdose of certain drugs, including tricyclic antidepressants and aspirin

Neutralizing additive (dental use): Improves onset of analgesia and reduces injection site pain by adjusting lidocaine with epinephrine solution to a more physiologic pH.

Off Label Uses

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) (prevention)

Evidence from controlled trials supports the use of isotonic Diacart as an effective option in the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), demonstrating reduced incidence compared to sodium chloride.

Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines state that in patients at increased risk of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI), IV volume expansion with either isotonic sodium chloride or isotonic Diacart solutions is recommended rather than no IV volume expansion. Isotonic Diacart is not commercially available, and thus carries a risk for compounding error during preparation. Based on the potential for harm and additional burden of preparing bicarbonate solutions, no preference is given to one solution; either agent can be used, with ease of use recognized for isotonic saline (KDIGO 2012a). European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) Contrast Media Safety Committee guidelines state that IV isotonic Diacart appears to provide protection equal or superior to IV isotonic saline, but either regimen may be used (ESUR [Stacul 2011]).

See also:
What other drugs will affect Diacart?

Acalabrutinib: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Acalabrutinib. Management: Separate administration of acalabrutinib from the administration of any antacids by at least 2 hours in order to minimize the potential for a significant interaction. Consider therapy modification

AcetaZOLAMIDE: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Diacart. Specifically, the risk of renal calculus formation may be increased. Monitor therapy

Alpha-/Beta-Agonists (Indirect-Acting): Alkalinizing Agents may increase the serum concentration of Alpha-/Beta-Agonists (Indirect-Acting). Monitor therapy

Amantadine: Alkalinizing Agents may increase the serum concentration of Amantadine. Monitor therapy

Amphetamines: Alkalinizing Agents may decrease the excretion of Amphetamines. Management: Consider alternatives to using amphetamines and alkalinizing agents in combination. If these agents must be used together, patients should be monitored closely for excessive amphetamine effects. Consider therapy modification

Antipsychotic Agents (Phenothiazines): Antacids may decrease the absorption of Antipsychotic Agents (Phenothiazines). Monitor therapy

Atazanavir: Antacids may decrease the absorption of Atazanavir. Management: Administer antacids 1 hour before or 2 hours after atazanavir to minimize the risk of a clinically significant interaction. Consider therapy modification

Bisacodyl: Antacids may diminish the therapeutic effect of Bisacodyl. Antacids may cause the delayed-release bisacodyl tablets to release drug prior to reaching the large intestine. Gastric irritation and/or cramps may occur. Management: Antacids should not be used within 1 hour before bisacodyl administration. Consider therapy modification

Bismuth Subcitrate: Antacids may diminish the therapeutic effect of Bismuth Subcitrate. Management: Avoid administration of antacids within 30 minutes of bismuth subcitrate (tripotassium bismuth dicitrate) administration. Consider therapy modification

Bosutinib: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Bosutinib. Management: Administer antacids more than 2 hours before or after bosutinib. Consider therapy modification

Bromperidol: Antacids may decrease the absorption of Bromperidol. Monitor therapy

Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate: Antacids may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate. The combined use of these two agents may result in metabolic alkalosis and/or loss of efficacy of the cation exchange resin. Management: To minimize this interaction, consider: a)separating doses by 2 or more hours; b)rectal administration of the exchange resin; or c)alternatives to antacids. Monitor for metabolic alkalosis and attenuation of CPS effects. Avoid magnesium hydroxide. Consider therapy modification

Captopril: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Captopril. Monitor therapy

Cefditoren: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Cefditoren. Management: Concomitant use of cefditoren with antacids is not recommended. Consider alternative methods to control acid reflux (eg, diet modification) or alternative antimicrobial therapy. If antacid therapy can not be avoided, separate dosing by several hours. Consider therapy modification

Cefpodoxime: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Cefpodoxime. Monitor therapy

Cefuroxime: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Cefuroxime. Management: Administer cefuroxime axetil at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after the administration of short-acting antacids. Consider therapy modification

Chloroquine: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Chloroquine. Management: Separate the administration of antacids and chloroquine by at least 4 hours to minimize any potential negative impact of antacids on chloroquine bioavailability. Consider therapy modification

Corticosteroids (Oral): Antacids may decrease the bioavailability of Corticosteroids (Oral). Management: Consider separating doses by 2 or more hours. Budesonide enteric coated tablets could dissolve prematurely if given with drugs that lower gastric acid, with unknown impact on budesonide therapeutic effects. Consider therapy modification

Cysteamine (Systemic): Antacids may diminish the therapeutic effect of Cysteamine (Systemic). Monitor therapy

Dabigatran Etexilate: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Dabigatran Etexilate. Management: Dabigatran etexilate Canadian product labeling recommends avoiding concomitant use with antacids for 24 hours after surgery. In other situations, administer dabigatran etexilate 2 hours prior to antacids. Monitor clinical response to dabigatran therapy. Consider therapy modification

Dasatinib: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Dasatinib. Management: Simultaneous administration of dasatinib and antacids should be avoided. Administer antacids 2 hours before or 2 hours after dasatinib. Consider therapy modification

Delavirdine: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Delavirdine. Management: Separate doses of delavirdine and antacids by at least 1 hour. Monitor for decreased delavirdine therapeutic effects with this combination. Consider therapy modification

Dexmethylphenidate: Antacids may increase the absorption of Dexmethylphenidate. Specifically, antacids may interfere with the normal release of drug from the extended-release capsules (Focalin XR brand), which could result in both increased absorption (early) and decreased delayed absorption. Monitor therapy

Erlotinib: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Erlotinib. Management: Separate the administration of erlotinib and any antacid by several hours in order to minimize the risk of a significant interaction. Consider therapy modification

Flecainide: Diacart may diminish the arrhythmogenic effect of Flecainide. Diacart may increase the serum concentration of Flecainide. Monitor therapy

Fosinopril: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Fosinopril. Management: The US and Canadian fosinopril manufacturer labels recommend separating the doses of antacids and fosinopril by 2 hours. Consider therapy modification

Gefitinib: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Gefitinib. Management: Administer gefitinib at least 6 hours before or after administration of an antacid, and closely monitor clinical response to gefitinib. Consider therapy modification

Hyoscyamine: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Hyoscyamine. Management: Administer immediate release hyoscyamine before meals and antacids after meals when these agents are given in combination. Consider therapy modification

Iron Preparations: Antacids may decrease the absorption of Iron Preparations. Management: Separate dosing of oral iron preparations and antacids as much as possible to avoid decreased efficacy of iron preparation. If coadministered with antacids, monitor for decreased therapeutic effects of iron preparations. Exceptions: Ferric Carboxymaltose; Ferric Citrate; Ferric Derisomaltose; Ferric Gluconate; Ferric Hydroxide Polymaltose Complex; Ferric Pyrophosphate Citrate; Ferumoxytol; Iron Dextran Complex; Iron Sucrose. Consider therapy modification

Itraconazole: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Itraconazole. Antacids may increase the serum concentration of Itraconazole. Management: Administer Sporanox brand itraconazole at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after administration of any antacids. Exposure to Tolsura brand itraconazole may be increased by antacids; consider itraconazole dose reduction. Consider therapy modification

Ketoconazole (Systemic): Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Ketoconazole (Systemic). Management: Administer oral ketoconazole at least 2 hours prior to use of any antacid product. Monitor patients closely for signs of inadequate clinical response to ketoconazole. Consider therapy modification

Lanthanum: Antacids may diminish the therapeutic effect of Lanthanum. Consider therapy modification

Ledipasvir: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Ledipasvir. Management: Separate the administration of ledipasvir and antacids by 4 hours. Consider therapy modification

Lithium: Diacart may increase the excretion of Lithium. Monitor therapy

Mecamylamine: Alkalinizing Agents may increase the serum concentration of Mecamylamine. Monitor therapy

Memantine: Alkalinizing Agents may increase the serum concentration of Memantine. Monitor therapy

Mesalamine: Antacids may diminish the therapeutic effect of Mesalamine. Antacid-mediated increases in gastrointestinal pH may cause the premature release of mesalamine from specific sustained-release mesalamine products. Management: Avoid concurrent administration of antacids with sustained-release mesalamine products. Separating antacid and mesalamine administration, and/or using lower antacid doses may be adequate means of avoiding this interaction. Consider therapy modification

Methenamine: Antacids may diminish the therapeutic effect of Methenamine. Management: Consider avoiding this combination if possible. Antacids may decrease the therapeutic effects of methenamine; Diacart is of most concern. If coadministering methenamine and antacids, monitor for decreased methenamine efficacy. Consider therapy modification

Methylphenidate: Antacids may increase the absorption of Methylphenidate. Specifically, antacids may interfere with the normal release of drug from the extended-release capsules (Ritalin LA brand), which could result in both increased absorption (early) and decreased delayed absorption. Monitor therapy

Multivitamins/Minerals (with ADEK, Folate, Iron): Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Multivitamins/Minerals (with ADEK, Folate, Iron). Specifically, antacids may decrease the absorption of orally administered iron. Management: Separate dosing of oral iron-containing multivitamin preparations and antacids by as much time as possible in order to minimize impact on therapeutic efficacy of the iron preparation. Consider therapy modification

Neratinib: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Neratinib. Specifically, antacids may reduce neratinib absorption. Management: Separate the administration of neratinib and antacids by giving neratinib at least 3 hours after the antacid. Consider therapy modification

Nilotinib: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Nilotinib. Management: Separate the administration of nilotinib and any antacid by at least 2 hours whenever possible in order to minimize the risk of a significant interaction. Consider therapy modification

PAZOPanib: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of PAZOPanib. Management: Avoid the use of antacids in combination with pazopanib whenever possible. Separate doses by several hours if antacid treatment is considered necessary. The impact of dose separation has not been investigated. Consider therapy modification

Pexidartinib: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Pexidartinib. Management: Administer pexidartinib 2 hours before or after antacids. Consider therapy modification

Phosphate Supplements: Antacids may decrease the absorption of Phosphate Supplements. Management: This applies only to oral phosphate administration. Separating administer of oral phosphate supplements from antacid administration by as long as possible may minimize the interaction. Exceptions: Sodium Glycerophosphate Pentahydrate. Consider therapy modification

Potassium Phosphate: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Potassium Phosphate. Management: Consider separating administration of antacids and oral potassium phosphate by at least 2 hours to decrease risk of a significant interaction. Consider therapy modification

QuiNIDine: Antacids may decrease the excretion of QuiNIDine. Monitor therapy

QuiNINE: Alkalinizing Agents may increase the serum concentration of QuiNINE. Monitor therapy

Rilpivirine: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Rilpivirine. Management: Administer antacids at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after rilpivirine when used with most rilpivirine products. However, administer antacids at least 6 hours before or 4 hours after the rilpivirine/dolutegravir combination product. Consider therapy modification

Riociguat: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Riociguat. Management: Separate the administration of antacids and riociguat by at least 1 hour in order to minimize any potential interaction. Consider therapy modification

Rosuvastatin: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Rosuvastatin. Monitor therapy

Sotalol: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Sotalol. Management: Avoid simultaneous administration of sotalol and antacids. Administer antacids 2 hours after sotalol. Consider therapy modification

Sulpiride: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Sulpiride. Management: Separate administration of antacids and sulpiride by at least 2 hours in order to minimize the impact of antacids on sulpiride absorption. Consider therapy modification

Tetracyclines: Antacids may decrease the absorption of Tetracyclines. Management: Separate administration of antacids and oral tetracycline derivatives by several hours when possible to minimize the extent of this potential interaction. Exceptions: Eravacycline. Consider therapy modification

Velpatasvir: Antacids may decrease the serum concentration of Velpatasvir. Management: Separate administration of velpatasvir and antacids by at least 4 hours. Consider therapy modification

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What are the possible side effects of Diacart?

Applies to Diacart: capsule, granule, powder, solution, tablet

Along with its needed effects, Diacart (the active ingredient contained in Diacart) may cause some unwanted effects. Although the following side effects occur very rarely when this medicine is taken as recommended, they may be more likely to occur if it is taken: in large doses, for a long time, or by patients with kidney disease.

Severity: Moderate

If any of the following side effects occur while taking Diacart, check with your doctor or nurse as soon as possible:

• Frequent urge to urinate
• headache (continuing)
• loss of appetite (continuing)
• mood or mental changes
• muscle pain or twitching
• nausea or vomiting
• nervousness or restlessness
• slow breathing
• swelling of feet or lower legs
• unpleasant taste
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Minor Side Effects

Some of the side effects that can occur with Diacart may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:

Less common:

• Increased thirst
• stomach cramps