Potassium Bicarbonate

Synonyms: Carbonic acid monopotassium salt; E501; kalii hydrogenocarbonas; monopotassium carbonate; potassium acid carbonate; potassium hydrogen carbonate.

Description: Potassium bicarbonate occurs as colorless, transparent crystals or as a white granular or crystalline powder. It is odorless, with a saline or weakly alkaline taste.

Chemical Name: Potassium Bicarbonate

Alkalizing agent; therapeutic agent.

• As an excipient, potassium bicarbonate is generally used in formulations as a source of carbon dioxide in effervescent preparations, at concentrations of 25–50% w/w.

• It is of particular use in formulations where sodium bicarbonate is unsuitable, for example, when the presence of sodium ions in a formulation needs to be limited or is undesirable.

• Potassium bicarbonate is often formulated with citric acid or tartaric acid in effervescent tablets or granules; on contact with water, carbon dioxide is released through chemical reaction, and the product disintegrates.

• On occasion, the presence of potassium bicarbonate alone may be sufficient in tablet formulations, as reaction with gastric acid can be sufficient to cause effervescence and product disintegration.

• Potassium bicarbonate has also been investigated as a gasforming agent in alginate raft systems.

• The effects of potassium bicarbonate on the stability and dissolution of paracetamol and ibuprofen have been described.

• Potassium bicarbonate is also used in food applications as an alkali and a leavening agent, and is a component of baking powder.

• Therapeutically, potassium bicarbonate is used as an alternative to sodium bicarbonate in the treatment of certain types of metabolic acidosis.

• It is also used as an antacid to neutralize acid secretions in the gastrointestinal tract and as a potassium supplement.

Potassium bicarbonate reacts with acids and acidic salts with the evolution of carbon dioxide.

Potassium bicarbonate is used in cosmetics, foods, and oral pharmaceutical formulations, where it is generally regarded as a relatively nontoxic and nonirritant material when used as an excipient. However, excessive consumption of potassium bicarbonate or other potassium salts may produce toxic manifestations of hyperkalemia.

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Eye protection and gloves are recommended.

Sodium bicarbonate.