Products
Sodium is present in active ingredients and excipients in many pharmaceuticals. In English, it is referred to as sodium, but abbreviated as Na, as in German.
Structure and properties
Sodium (Na, atomic mass: 22.989 g/mol) is a chemical element from the group of alkali metals with atomic number 11. It exists elementally as a soft, silvery metal that is very reactive and is therefore stored in mineral oil. It oxidizes rapidly in air and turns gray. The metal has a slightly lower density than water and can be cut with a knife. Sodium has a low melting point of 98 °C. Sodium readily gives up its valence electron and is therefore very reactive. For this reason, it does not occur elementally in nature. For example, if it is brought into contact with water, it reacts violently under an exothermic reaction and can even explode:
- 2 Na (sodium) + 2 H2O (water) 2 NaOH (sodium hydroxide) + H2 (hydrogen)
This is a redox reaction. Sodium is one of the elements most abundant on earth, not only in seawater and salt mines, but also in rocks such as feldspar. In medicines, it is found exclusively as the sodium ion (Na+) in the form of salts, of which numerous exist, for example, sodium chloride (table salt, NaCl), sodium sulfate (Glauber’s salt), sodium hydrogen carbonate (sodium bicarbonate), sodium carbonate (soda ash), or sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Numerous active ingredients are present as sodium salts. , click to enlarge.
Effects
Sodium performs vital functions in the human body. For example, it is involved in the regulation of blood pressure, fluid balance, muscle and nerve function, normal cellular function and in the absorption of nutrients. It is supplied by the diet and excreted mainly by the kidneys in the urine. The concentration of sodium ions in cells is much lower than their extracellular concentration. The difference (gradient) is maintained by the Na+/K+-ATPase, a primary active transporter under the consumption of ATP. The different ion concentrations and their changes are the basis for the generation of resting membrane and action potentials and the conduction of impulses in neurons. At the onset of the action potential, sodium flows into the cell through voltage-gated sodium channels, leading to depolarization. Sodium is also appropriately involved in conduction of impulses in the heart.
Areas of application
In pharmacy:
- Sodium is present in numerous active ingredient salts, including to increase water solubility.
- Many pharmaceutical excipients contain sodium.
- Numerous applications as sodium chloride (see there).
Dosage
Sodium is an essential mineral that is consumed daily with food. The daily requirement for adults is 1500 mg (1.5 g, DACH reference value). According to some sources, a lower amount is also sufficient. However, the average consumption is usually significantly higher. An insufficient intake, on the other hand, is rarely observed.
Adverse effects
Excessive intake of sodium – mostly in the form of table salt (sodium chloride) – is associated with adverse health consequences, particularly hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, a reduction of our excessive salt consumption is generally recommended.
