Overview

Sodium is a type of metal that is always found as a salt. The most common dietary form is sodium chloride. Sodium chloride is commonly called table salt.

Table salt accounts for 90% of dietary sodium intake in the US. Sodium helps to balance levels of fluids and electrolytes in the body. This balance can affect blood pressure and the health of the kidneys and heart.

People use sodium in the form of inhaled sodium chloride for cystic fibrosis. It is also used for low sodium levels, to prevent kidney toxicity caused by the drug amphotericin B, and for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these other uses.

Don't confuse sodium with the sodium bicarbonate salt. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Likely Effective for

  • Cystic fibrosis. Using a sodium chloride inhalant long-term, along with medicine to dilate airway passages, reduces lung problems and improves quality of life in people with cystic fibrosis.

Possibly Effective for

  • Kidney injury caused by an antifungal drug (amphotericin B nephrotoxicity). Giving sodium chloride solution by mouth or by IV to people receiving amphotericin B helps prevent kidney problems cause by this drug. IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider.
There is interest in using sodium for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Sodium is likely safe for most people when used in doses less than 2.3 grams daily. In some people, sodium might increase blood pressure. Sodium is possibly unsafe when taken in doses greater than 2.3 grams daily. Larger doses might cause too much sodium to build up in the body. This might cause serious side effects including high blood pressure and heart disease.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if sodium is safe or what the side effects might be.

When applied into the eye: There isn't enough reliable information to know if sodium is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Sodium is likely safe for most people when used in doses less than 2.3 grams daily. In some people, sodium might increase blood pressure. Sodium is possibly unsafe when taken in doses greater than 2.3 grams daily. Larger doses might cause too much sodium to build up in the body. This might cause serious side effects including high blood pressure and heart disease.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if sodium is safe or what the side effects might be.

When applied into the eye: There isn't enough reliable information to know if sodium is safe or what the side effects might be.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Sodium is likely safe to take by mouth in doses of less than 1.5 grams daily while pregnant or breast-feeding. But sodium is possibly unsafe when taken in higher amounts. Larger doses increase the risk of high blood pressure.

Children: Sodium is likely safe for most children when taken by mouth appropriately. Sodium is safe when used in doses less than 1.2 grams daily in children ages 1-3 years, 1.5 grams daily in children 4-8 years, 1.8 grams daily in children 9-13 years, and 2.3 grams daily in adolescents. Sodium is possibly unsafe when taken in higher amounts. Larger doses increase the risk of high blood pressure.

Alcohol use disorder: People who consume excessive amounts of alcohol should consume sodium in moderation. Consuming sodium can increase the risk of high blood pressure.

Heart disease: People with heart disease should consume sodium in moderation. Consuming sodium at levels above 2.3 grams daily can increase the risk of heart disease and death.

High levels of sodium in the body: Taking sodium increases levels of sodium in the body and might make this condition worse.

High blood pressure: Taking large amounts of sodium can increase blood pressure.

Kidney disease: People with kidney disease should limit sodium intake. Consuming large amounts of sodium can worsen kidney disease.

Multiple sclerosis (MS): Consuming too much salt in the diet might worsen MS. People with MS should stay below the maximum recommended amount of 2.3 grams daily.

Obesity: Obese people or those at risk for obesity should consume sodium in moderation. Consuming large amounts of sodium might cause people to gain more weight.

Weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis): Consuming too much salt in the diet might worsen osteoporosis. People with osteoporosis should stay below the maximum recommended amount of 2.3 grams daily.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Lithium interacts with SODIUM

    Increasing sodium intake might increase how much lithium is removed from the body. But reducing sodium intake might reduce how much lithium is removed from the body. People taking lithium should avoid making large changes to their intake of sodium without first talking with a healthcare professional.

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with SODIUM

    Large amounts of sodium might increase blood pressure. Taking large amounts of sodium might reduce the effects of blood pressure medications. Monitor your blood pressure closely.

  • Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with SODIUM

    Some medications affect salt and water balances in the body. These medications might increase levels of sodium. Taking these medications along with sodium might cause sodium levels to become too high.

  • Tolvaptan (Samsca) interacts with SODIUM

    Tolvaptan is a medicine used to increase sodium levels in some people. Taking tolvaptan along with sodium might cause sodium levels to become too high.

  • Medications that contain sodium interacts with SODIUM

    Taking sodium with medications that contain large amounts of sodium might result in intakes that are possibly unsafe. In some people, this might cause sodium levels in the blood to become too high.

Dosing

Sodium helps to balance levels of fluids and electrolytes in the body. It's recommended that adults 19 years and older, including those pregnant and breast-feeding, consume 1.5 grams daily. Adults shouldn't consume more than 2.3 grams daily. Recommended amounts for children depend on age. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
Next
View References

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.