What causes metabolic alkalosis due to analgesics (pain medications)?

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From the Research

Causes of Metabolic Alkalosis

  • Metabolic alkalosis is a primary pathophysiologic event characterized by the gain of bicarbonate or the loss of nonvolatile acid from extracellular fluid 1, 2
  • The loss of acid may be via the gastrointestinal tract or via the kidney, while excess base may be gained by oral or parenteral HCO3- administration or by lactate, acetate, or citrate administration 1, 2
  • Clinical states associated with metabolic alkalosis include vomiting, mineralocorticoid excess, the adrenogenital syndrome, licorice ingestion, diuretic administration, and Bartter's and Gitelman's syndromes 1, 2

Role of Analgesics in Metabolic Alkalosis

  • There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that links analgesics (pain medications) to metabolic alkalosis 3, 4, 1, 2, 5
  • However, it is possible that certain analgesics may contribute to metabolic alkalosis indirectly, such as by causing vomiting or affecting kidney function, but this is not explicitly stated in the provided studies

Maintenance of Metabolic Alkalosis

  • Factors that help maintain metabolic alkalosis include decreased glomerular filtration rate, volume contraction, hypokalemia, hypochloremia, and aldosterone excess 4, 1, 2
  • The kidney plays a crucial role in maintaining acid-base balance, and factors that interfere with its mechanisms can impair the ability to eliminate excess bicarbonate, promoting the generation or persistence of metabolic alkalosis 4

References

Research

Metabolic alkalosis.

Respiratory care, 2001

Research

Metabolic alkalosis.

Journal of nephrology, 2006

Research

Metabolic Alkalosis Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment: Core Curriculum 2022.

American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation, 2022

Research

Approach to metabolic alkalosis.

Emergency medicine clinics of North America, 2014

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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