People have paid close attention to food preservation and pharmaceutical stability ever since commercial chemistry got its momentum in the late 1800s. Sodium dihydrogen citrate, discovered through the study of citric acid salts, emerged as one answer for sour taste masking, acidity regulation, and as a pharmaceutical excipient. Looking back, the roots trace to the isolation and commercial production of citric acid by Carl Wilhelm Scheele in the 18th century. Over time, sodium salts of citric acid showed practical uses not only as preservatives but also as active agents in kidney stone dissolution and pH modification — all long before synthetic flavors or advanced food tech filled supermarket shelves. Lab chemists and pharmacists sought efficient acidulants, and sodium dihydrogen citrate fit the bill. Experience over decades showed its stability and effectiveness in both food and pharma, giving it staying power the market rarely grants lightly.
Sodium dihydrogen citrate has made its way into several home and clinical products due to its gentle acidity, free-flowing granular nature, and ease of dissolution. Anyone scanning the back of an antacid or certain beverage flavoring packets will spot its name. This compound, with the formula NaH2C6H5O7, brings more to the table than just acidity adjustment — it also buffers pH, stabilizes active ingredients, and in some settings, acts as an anticoagulant. While pure citric acid stands strong as a souring agent, the sodium salt form is much less aggressive — it finds its sweet spot in balancing taste, medicine efficacy, and gentle chemical reactions where harsher acids could do damage.
Off-white, crystalline, and very soluble in water, sodium dihydrogen citrate melts into solutions quietly, almost unnoticeably, though its slight acidity lingers upon the tongue or in test solutions. It has a molecular weight of about 214.09 grams per mole, and crystallizes without odor, so handling it never requires a mask. In solution, pH hovers around 3.5 to 4.5, less biting than citric acid itself. During hot, humid days in the lab, technicians have noted the powder picks up moisture, but thanks to its stable chemistry, storage remains straightforward. It resists breakdown unless pushed by strong bases or acids, and does not give off volatile or dangerous gases.
Product specifications put the sodium content near 10.5 to 12% by weight, while the citric acid core stays constant thanks to strict raw material controls. Containers require clear labeling — any reputable supplier lists batch number, manufacturing date, compliance codes (such as FCC, BP, USP if applicable), and allergen status. For applications in food or pharmaceuticals, low heavy metal content and microbe-free status get verified batch by batch. Labels on pharmaceutical-grade sodium dihydrogen citrate need to show purity at or above 99%, moisture below 1%, and the absence of pesticide residues. Having sorted through barrels at warehouse inspections, one learns fast that details on the outside mean just as much as the content inside.
The most common preparation starts with citric acid, already purified from fermentation of sugars or fruits. One reacts citric acid with sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate under controlled temperatures, ensuring only a single sodium is swapped for one hydrogen among the acid groups. The solution crystallizes, filtered meticulously, reproducibly giving sodium dihydrogen citrate as the monosodium salt. Technicians monitor pH to avoid over-neutralization. Scale-ups in chemical plants rely on careful dosing and temperature control, and the crystalline product often gets dried under vacuum to keep water content in check. Skimping on purification steps can leave unwanted sodium citrate byproducts, so process monitoring matters.
Mixing sodium dihydrogen citrate with strong bases nudges it toward disodium or trisodium citrate, shifting the pH upward and changing its impact on biological or food systems. Pharmacists have mixed it with potassium or calcium salts to tailor electrolyte balances in special diets. Sodium dihydrogen citrate stands stable in typical atmospheric settings, but at higher temperatures or under oxidative stress, it slowly breaks down to give off carbon dioxide. This property serves in slow effervescent tablet development, where a gentle fizz releases drug or flavor without creating caustic conditions. Cross-reactivity remains low, allowing it to serve as a pH buffer in reactions where stronger acids might damage sensitive components.
On packaging, sodium dihydrogen citrate can appear as monosodium citrate, sodium citrate monobasic, or sodium acid citrate. International markets often use product codes such as E331(i), referencing its status as a European food additive. In clinical settings, it may also go by sodium citrate monohydrate, though hydration levels vary depending on storage and processing. Mislabeling isn't rare among generic suppliers, so confirming chemical composition and water of hydration matters in critical applications.
Even a mild acid like this carries safety requirements. Good handling practices call for goggles, gloves, and dust control. Spills cleaned up quickly and safely leave no residue, but large-scale exposure — including inhalation — can cause mild irritation to airways or mucous membranes. Regulatory agencies like FDA and EFSA keep acceptable daily intake strict for additives in food and drugs. Storage in dry, cool warehouses in sealed containers stops clumping and contamination. Operators should avoid open flames or exposure to strong oxidizers, though real-world incidents with sodium dihydrogen citrate are rare. My past risk reviews in pharmaceutical plants showed this compound leaves few incident records, provided procedures follow standards, and training never goes neglected.
Uses span more than just the obvious. In pharmaceuticals, sodium dihydrogen citrate buffers pH in syrups and effervescent tablets, helps clear uric acid in kidney stone management, and maintains stability of sensitive drugs during storage. Food technologists rely on its gentle acidity in soft drinks, gelled desserts, and jams where too much sourness ruins taste or texture. In analytic chemistry, it helps maintain pH during sensitive titrations and blood anticoagulant tests. Hospitals keep injectable sodium citrate blends, partly composed of sodium dihydrogen citrate, for blood transfusion protocols and certain diagnostic procedures. I've seen research groups use it as a model compound to study acid-base buffering, thanks to its well-defined reactivity at moderate pH.
Active research continues, especially in areas like kidney stone therapies where sodium dihydrogen citrate works with potassium-sparing formulas or in effervescent pain relievers meant for sensitive stomachs. Analytical chemists develop new test methods leveraging its buffering, trying to simplify pH control in microfluidic assays. The growth of low-sodium diets drives interest in modified citrate salts, and researchers tweak the manufacturing to cut sodium content or blend with alternative cations. Investigators also study the role of sodium dihydrogen citrate in stabilizing vitamin C in functional drinks, aiming to extend shelf-life with minimal flavor interference. My own experience in university labs involved comparing the stability of vitamin solutions buffered with various citrate salts — and sodium dihydrogen citrate stood out for keeping pH consistent even as temperature or ambient humidity shifted.
Extensive toxicology studies, both in animals and limited human trials, have shown sodium dihydrogen citrate presents low risk when taken at prescribed dosages. Evidence points to gastrointestinal discomfort at high intake, due to both acidity and sodium load, but this rarely leads to long-term harm unless underlying kidney dysfunction exists. Chronic intake in those with sodium-sensitive hypertension draws concern, so labeling for pharmaceutical and food use requires sodium content disclosure. Rat and mouse models have failed to show carcinogenic or mutagenic effects even on multi-year dosing, supporting its clearance by global food regulatory bodies. Ongoing research, prompted by rising use in processed foods, now focuses on subtle effects on mineral balance and gut microbiome response, to catch early any potential long-term risks modern diets might introduce.
Looking forward, sodium dihydrogen citrate is likely to find broader use as the food and pharmaceutical industries demand milder acidulants, especially for consumers with sensitivity to strong acids or for pediatric and geriatric populations. Innovations in slow-release and taste-masking tablets lean on its reliable buffering action. Advances in green chemistry may soon deliver more sustainable fermentation-based production, reducing environmental impact by cutting energy use and chemical waste. Interest from the beverage industry remains strong, since new sugar substitutes and flavorings often pair best with acid profiles this compound readily adjusts. Ongoing research seeks new delivery forms, such as microencapsulation for sports hydration products and rapid-dissolve film strips. For chemical engineers and R&D scientists, sodium dihydrogen citrate becomes less of an afterthought and more of a design variable, supporting the race for safer, more stable products customs prefer and regulators accept.
Sodium dihydrogen citrate doesn’t show up on most grocery lists, yet it finds a place in both medicine cabinets and industrial settings. Folks run into this compound most often in hospitals and clinics, since healthcare workers turn to it for its ability to tackle problems tied to urine acidity. Doctors recommend it to people with kidney stones or urinary tract discomfort because it helps shift urine toward a less acidic pH. The science behind this use feels pretty straightforward: raising the pH makes it less likely for stones made of uric acid to form, providing folks some relief without immediately needing surgery or complicated treatments.
I’ve watched friends struggle through the pain of kidney stones. The relief didn’t always come from high-tech interventions but from these simple mixtures. Patients receive sodium dihydrogen citrate way before things spiral into emergency room visits. Once the burning or pain begins, dissolving a scoop into water and sipping it over the day can settle things down. Citric acid derivatives like this one also pull double-duty, loosening up crystals in the urine and letting them pass out of the body with a bit more ease.
Drugstores also stock mixtures where sodium dihydrogen citrate partners with other ingredients to dial back coughs, especially if mucus build-up threatens to make things difficult for folks with colds. Adding it helps make the formula gentle on the stomach and softens any sour bite from chemicals that come along for the ride. Some over-the-counter elixirs lean on this compound to encourage clearer airways and reduce irritation in the chest.
On supermarket shelves, processed food sometimes owes its fresh taste and longer shelf life to sodium dihydrogen citrate. The real benefit here? By controlling how much acid sits in a juice box, jam, or even carbonated drink, food makers block out spoilage bacteria. Look at the ingredients of some canned vegetables or fruit drinks. You’ll spot long chemical names, but this one quietly helps keep flavors bright. People rarely notice its work, yet it can mean the difference between sour and spoiled.
No pill or powder brings only benefits. Taking more sodium dihydrogen citrate than a doctor recommends can tilt the balance of salts in the body, especially in folks with kidney or heart conditions. Some people feel tummy aches or notice they have to run to the bathroom more often. For those who watch their salt intake, regular check-ins with a healthcare team prevent small problems from mushrooming into bigger ones.
Food and drug companies pay attention to each ingredient’s impact. As more people try to limit processed foods, some manufacturers search for ways to cut down on unnecessary additives, including sodium compounds. Clear labeling and better education help people figure out what goes into their bodies and make choices that fit their needs. Meanwhile, sodium dihydrogen citrate stays on as a familiar tool in both clinics and kitchens, smoothing out lifes’ little rough patches.
Doctors sometimes suggest sodium dihydrogen citrate to treat urinary tract problems, especially for people dealing with kidney stones or certain kinds of urinary tract infections. It works by making urine less acidic. That helps stop certain stones from forming, and eases discomfort. What doesn’t always get as much attention is that even common medications and additives can come with challenges. Experience, research, and what patients report all point in the same direction: no medicine or supplement comes free of risk.
Nausea tops the list of things people notice soon after taking sodium dihydrogen citrate. Mild stomach pain, loose stools, and a general sense of discomfort may show up even with routine dosing. For a lot of folks, this means adjusting how or when they take it, or pairing it with meals. Data from published clinical research points out that these kinds of reactions seem to affect about one in five users. In my own circle, I’ve heard pharmacists talk about people calling back, asking if the stomach trouble means the medicine is not working or if it’s doing some harm. It’s a hard conversation, because most times, these symptoms creep up, seem manageable, but they still lower quality of life during treatment.
Sodium changes things in the body’s salt balance. People with high blood pressure, heart issues, or kidney problems sometimes run into trouble because extra sodium tips the scales. A friend of mine tried sodium dihydrogen citrate after a kidney stone episode, and her doctor monitored her blood pressure every few days just in case. High sodium can sneak up, especially if someone drinks little water or already eats a salty diet. The World Health Organization underscores hidden risks of sodium in medicines, especially for older adults and people with heart, kidney, or liver conditions.
Allergies do happen, although rare. Rashes, swelling, and shortness of breath deserve an immediate trip to the emergency department. These instances show up less often than mild complaints, but ignoring symptoms doesn’t help. Anyone with food or drug allergies should talk with a health professional before they start it.
Clear communication works as the strongest solution. Doctors and pharmacists need to have open talks—simple language, real examples, easy advice—for patients. People taking sodium dihydrogen citrate can help themselves by paying attention to signals from their bodies, keeping note of what changes, and sharing those with clinicians. Hydration makes a big difference. Good water intake supports kidney work and helps limit some of these side effects. It also pays to talk about diet: reducing sodium in meals helps offset what’s taken in the supplement. Regular blood tests become important for anyone with history of heart or kidney trouble.
Small pills or powders often bring changes we only notice once they add up. Taking sodium dihydrogen citrate means staying aware and checking in regularly. Too many times, medicine ends up being taken for granted. Talking openly about uncomfortable side effects means less suffering and better health for the long run.
Sodium dihydrogen citrate isn’t exactly a household name, but it’s an important compound with jobs in both medicine and food processing. Docs prescribe it most often to relieve mild urinary discomfort caused by urinary tract infections. It can help by making the urine less acidic, offering relief from burning pain. The powder also helps manage certain kidney stone conditions or supports acid-alkali balance in some patients.
Taking something for your kidneys or urinary tract always gets folks anxious, not least because it’s easy to get confused about when or how to take a prescribed powder or solution. As with all medications, clear instructions matter, and following your healthcare professional’s directions prevents headaches or unwanted side effects. A lot of people ignore this, relying on memory or advice passed down from friends, which can lead to mistakes.
Doctors and pharmacists usually recommend dissolving the prescribed amount of sodium dihydrogen citrate in water before swallowing. This helps the body absorb it and reduces irritation to the gut and throat. It’s important to use the amount advised by your healthcare provider or what the packaging shows; more does not equal better with this one. Overdoing it might hurt your stomach, throw off your body’s electrolytes, or put extra pressure on your kidneys.
Some people think it’s okay to skip the water and add it straight to the mouth, maybe to save time. Truth is, that could irritate the lining of the mouth or throat, turning a simple treatment into an uncomfortable experience. Water isn’t just a delivery vehicle; it buffers the powder, diluting its acidity, so it doesn’t sting or burn.
Sodium dihydrogen citrate often works best with a full glass of water and after food. A meal can reduce the chance of an upset stomach and helps slow down the amount hitting your bloodstream all at once. Folks with sensitive stomachs, or anyone who’s taking medication that already upsets digestion, benefit from this little timing trick.
Mixing sodium dihydrogen citrate with other drugs or supplements can also cause bigger problems. Blood pressure medication, diuretics, or medicines affecting your potassium or sodium can all interact, sometimes with dangerous results. Talking to your doctor or pharmacist avoids most of these risks. In my early days working at a community pharmacy, I saw a few people put themselves at risk because they doubled up medications or ignored labels. A quick call to the clinic saves a lot of trouble.
Anyone with heart disease, serious kidney trouble, or a history of high blood pressure should tread carefully and seek professional medical advice before touching sodium dihydrogen citrate. The reason is simple: it changes sodium levels in the body, which can cause fluid retention or worsen problems where the heart or kidneys need to stay balanced. Pregnant or breastfeeding people also want to double check with a trusted healthcare provider.
A written dosing schedule, keeping the measuring spoon handy, and marking doses off on a calendar go a long way toward safe, effective use. These daily routines give structure and keep life simple, especially for older adults or busy parents. It also helps to read labels every single time.
If any strange reactions crop up—swelling, shortness of breath, severe stomach pain—stop use and find a doctor. That’s true for any medicine, but doubly so for compounds that affect body fluids and salt levels.
Trust your doctor, trust the directions, and lean on professionals if you have questions. More isn’t better, and shortcuts never pay off in the long run.Sodium dihydrogen citrate comes up a lot for folks looking to ease urine acidity or reduce gout attacks. Doctors lean on it when a patient needs their urine less acidic—this helps with kidney stones or certain bladder issues. Its impact on how the body handles acid matters, but few think about how this ties into other medicines sitting in their weekly pillboxes.
Some people pop sodium dihydrogen citrate without a second thought, especially when dealing with kidney stones or gout flares. It feels like a small add-on in a treatment plan, but I’ve seen folks upset their routines by mixing this with drugs like diuretics, blood pressure pills, or basic pain relievers. One key danger comes from the sodium hidden in the formula. Someone already dealing with high blood pressure or kidney issues can run into problems as sodium sneaks up, raises blood pressure, and makes fluid retention worse.
Potassium-sparing diuretics like spironolactone or amiloride are frequently on the list for people juggling heart failure or cirrhosis. Combining these with sodium dihydrogen citrate may lift potassium higher than expected, putting the heart in real trouble. Some antibiotics, especially sulfa drugs or penicillins, need a certain urine pH to work best. Changing urine acidity without thinking through medication impact can limit how well these antibiotics do their job in fighting infection.
Nobody loves reading medicine labels for fun, but antacids and sodium dihydrogen citrate share similar end goals—less stomach acid, less burning. Piling them together can throw off the body’s acid-base balance more than expected. Sometimes, this ends in muscle cramps, headaches, or feeling permanently tired. As someone who’s had a run-in with muscle cramps from too much acid-lowering medicine, I can say the solution usually means backing off and paying better attention.
For those taking lithium for mood disorders, sodium dihydrogen citrate can make kidneys remove lithium much faster, leading to unusual mood shifts or sudden changes in drug levels. Aspirin and other anti-inflammatory pills can stress the kidneys even more when sodium-based drugs enter the mix, risking dehydration or less-than-stable kidney function.
Doctors keep databases full of drug interactions for a reason, but real life slips past bullet points. I’ve seen people get caught off guard just from not keeping track of what they picked up at the pharmacy. Trust your healthcare team. Whether it’s your doctor, a pharmacist, or a nurse you trust, talk to them about every pill and supplement. Make use of resources like the FDA’s online drug interaction pages, and never discount the value of old-fashioned communication.
Keep an updated list of medications. Review it every checkup. Don’t assume that a new prescription is safe because it seems similar to something you’ve taken before. Bring up anything new or unfamiliar with your doctor. If side effects start after a change, note it—not every symptom waits for an obvious reaction. Staying organized, asking questions, and sharing updates keeps things moving in the right direction.
Sodium dihydrogen citrate isn’t just a lab chemical. Doctors sometimes turn to it to treat kidney stones, acidic urine, or some urinary tract issues. It works by making urine less acidic, which can help the body flush certain substances out more easily. At first glance, it seems like a simple fix for sometimes stubborn problems, but not everyone should reach for this solution.
The kidneys do a lot more than most folks realize—they filter waste, regulate fluids, and balance minerals. If someone’s kidneys aren’t doing their job because of chronic kidney disease or another condition, filtering out extra substances gets tricky. Sodium dihydrogen citrate contains sodium. For people whose kidneys are already under pressure, extra sodium can push them over the edge, leading to fluid retention, increased blood pressure, or even dangerous levels of potassium and other minerals in the blood.
The liver also has a hand in how the body manages certain chemicals. Those with serious liver disease often experience trouble balancing minerals and fluids. Adding something like sodium dihydrogen citrate—especially without a doctor keeping a careful eye—brings extra risk.
Extra salt doesn’t just affect the kidneys. For people with high blood pressure or any sort of heart issue, sodium in any form can be trouble. Increased sodium intake pulls more water into the bloodstream, raising blood pressure and making the heart work harder. Sodium dihydrogen citrate has a direct impact here for anyone fighting hypertension, heart failure, or even mild heart disease. In these cases, it’s better to control sodium from all sources and steer clear unless there’s a strong medical need and clear oversight.
Plenty of changes hit the body during pregnancy, including shifts in fluid balance and blood pressure. Pregnant women usually need to be extra cautious with anything that changes mineral or electrolyte levels. Data on sodium dihydrogen citrate in pregnancy remains slim. The same goes for women who are breastfeeding—the baby’s exposure and effects are not completely understood. Leading health authorities recommend caution because even minor imbalances during this time can affect both mother and child.
Children aren’t just smaller adults—their kidneys and livers don’t handle chemicals the same way. Their mineral and fluid balance changes fast, so it’s easy to tip things out of line. On the flip side, older adults see kidney and heart function slow down, increasing danger from added sodium or chemical changes. Kids and seniors should only ever use this medication under strict supervision, with doses adjusted carefully to body size and health status.
People taking diuretics, corticosteroids, or some drugs for heart conditions run a bigger risk of side effects when mixing in sodium dihydrogen citrate. Sodium interacts with several blood pressure and kidney medications. Mixing them can cause unpredictable changes in sodium and potassium levels. Side effects include muscle cramping, heartbeat irregularities, and more severe outcomes like confusion or weakness.
No one should start using sodium dihydrogen citrate without a medical conversation. Blood tests determine if the benefits outweigh the risks, especially for anyone with a complicated health history or overlapping medications. A healthcare professional checks kidney function, medical history, and existing prescriptions before recommending or prescribing this treatment. Clear guidelines and tailored advice cut down on the chance of complications—doctor oversight keeps people safer and healthier.
Adverse reactions related to sodium dihydrogen citrate often start as minor symptoms—swelling, headache, muscle weakness, or stomach pain. They can signal bigger problems. Reporting side effects early and asking about new or unusual symptoms often means quicker solutions. Everyone should know how this compound operates and stay in conversation with a trusted professional when it comes to health choices.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | sodium 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate dihydrogen |
| Other names |
Monosodium citrate Sodium citrate monobasic Sodium dihydrocitrate |
| Pronunciation | /ˈsəʊdiəm daɪˈhaɪdrədʒən ˈsɪtreɪt/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 18996-35-5 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | `/lite/?form=mol&modelID=014271080439b277521be1e5c&JSmol=1` |
| Beilstein Reference | 1461115 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:63034 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1359 |
| ChemSpider | 12023 |
| DrugBank | DB14582 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.043.781 |
| EC Number | E331 |
| Gmelin Reference | 5644 |
| KEGG | C13580 |
| MeSH | D003384 |
| PubChem CID | 23682213 |
| RTECS number | GE7250000 |
| UNII | KK6T07N96S |
| UN number | UN3077 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID7020189 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | NaC6H7O7 |
| Molar mass | 258.06 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.36 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Freely soluble in water |
| log P | -3.2 |
| Vapor pressure | Negligible |
| Acidity (pKa) | 3.21 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 1.6 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -54.0×10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.45 |
| Viscosity | Mobile liquid |
| Dipole moment | 6.74 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 252.0 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -1611.9 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | B05CX03 |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | May cause eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. |
| GHS labelling | Not a hazardous substance or mixture according to Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 [CLP/GHS] |
| Pictograms | GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H319: Causes serious eye irritation. |
| Precautionary statements | Keep container tightly closed. Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Wash thoroughly after handling. Use with adequate ventilation. |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | Health: 1, Flammability: 0, Instability: 0, Special: - |
| Flash point | > 220 °C |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 oral rat 5400 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): 5,400 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| NIOSH | Not listed |
| PEL (Permissible) | Not established. |
| REL (Recommended) | 1-2 gm daily |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | Not listed |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Citric acid Trisodium citrate Disodium hydrogen citrate Monosodium citrate |
