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 The bicarbonate ion is a vital component of human physiology. It helps maintain blood pH; it is the major form of carbon dioxide transport from body tissue to the lungs for exhalation; it is the primary component of duodenal fluid, neutralizing stomach contents as they enter the intestinal tract; it is a component of saliva where it helps to reduce the attack of orally-generated acids on tooth enamel.It is perhaps because of its native presence and widespread utility in the body that sodium bicarbonate is found in so many pharmaceutical applications. As an active ingredient it is administered via several routes mainly as a neutralizing agent to counteract acidotic statess arising from a number of acute and chronic conditions. In this capacity it is used to enhance the activity of the latest generation of antacids. Sodium bicarbonate is also used as a component of electrolyte packages in bowel evacuants. As an excipient, sodium bicarbonate is frequently used as an effervescent to help disperse and dissolve active ingredients.
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