Bicitra

Published

Just a question. out of everyone who gives bicitra prior to surgeries. Do you dilute it?

Specializes in Anesthesia.
WHY? That is an awful lot of fluid for an NPO status. I would think anesthesia would have a cow. I wonder what the thought process is for that?

I know I would and I would probably cancel an election C-section or other elective surgery if it was diluted with that much water/juice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think the thought process is on the manufacture directions it says to dilute. I'll tell you if we start dilluting it, but i doubt we will

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D,Lactation.

We do not dilute, although I sometimes pour it over ice, I think it is more palatable cold. I tell people to be prepared for the taste, like liquid sweet tarts...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
We do not dilute, although I sometimes pour it over ice, I think it is more palatable cold. I tell people to be prepared for the taste, like liquid sweet tarts...

We do leave it in the fridge, but other than that we don't dilute it or mix with anything.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Methinks RedCell was yanking some chains. :twocents:

We knock our Bicitra straight back.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I routinely dilute my bicitra with atleast 500-1000ml of fruit punch flavored gatorade. The patients all love it. Also, you get to see whether or not your assistant really knows how to maintain cricoid pressure (not that I believe all that much in Sellick's maneuver anways).

Kidding or dangerously incompetent

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I know I would and I would probably cancel an election C-section or other elective surgery if it was diluted with that much water/juice.

Absolutely!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

nope! take it straight like a shot of whiskey!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

straight up, like the others, we tell them its nasty just knock it back like a shot

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, PP, a little WB, note taker NICU.

We "dilute" our with a couple ice chips and let them have the couple chips after having their first shot in 9 months:icon_roll

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I've had Bicitra before every one of my surgeries, and it is NASTY. But it's like anything else, you take it straight up and toss it back, and it's over with in a second. Dilute it in juice or water and you're defeating the purpose of being NPO, which is unnecessarily risky IMO.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

There are different preparations (tablets, solution or crystals) doses and preparation depending if one is using to decrease citrate content to prevent kidney stones or to decrease PH content prior to surgery (to prevent aspiration pneumonia).

For patients taking the tablet form of this medicine :

  • Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush, chew, or suck the tablet. Take with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
  • If you have trouble swallowing the tablets or they seem to stick in your throat, check with your doctor at once . If this medicine is not completely swallowed and not properly dissolved, it can cause severe irritation.

For patients taking the liquid form of this medicine :

  • Dilute with a full glass (6 ounces) of water or juice and drink; follow with additional water, if desired.
  • Chill, but do not freeze, this medicine before taking it, for a better taste.

For patients taking the crystals form of this medicine :

  • Add the contents of one packet to at least 6 ounces of cool water or juice. Stir well to make sure the crystals are completely dissolved.
  • Drink all the mixture to be sure you are taking the correct dose. Follow with additional water or juice, if desired.

Take each dose immediately after a meal or within 30 minutes after a meal or bedtime snack . This helps prevent the medicine from causing stomach pain or a laxative effect...

For sodium citrate and citric acid

  • For oral dosage form (solution):
    • o make the urine and blood more alkaline (less acidic) and to prevent kidney stones:
      • Adults—At first, 2 to 6 teaspoonfuls of solution four times a day, after meals and at bedtime. The solution should be mixed in one to three ounces of water. Your doctor may change the dose if needed. However, most people will usually not take more than five ounces a day.

      [*]To make the contents of the stomach less acidic before surgery:

      • Adults—1 to 2 tablespoonfuls as a single dose. You may mix it in one to two tablespoonfuls of water.

      [*]To make the blood more alkaline (less acidic):

      • Children—At first, 1 to 3 teaspoonfuls of solution four times a day, after meals and at bedtime. The solution should be mixed in one to three ounces of water. Your doctor may change the dose if needed.

http://www.drugs.com/cons/bicitra.html

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion