Sodium chloride vs Sodium bicarbonate
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Sodium bicarbonate was dispensed 4.9× as often as Sodium chloride in March 2026 — 56,139 items versus 11,500 in England.
11,500items
Sodium chloride · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
56,139items
Sodium bicarbonate · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Sodium chloride versus Sodium bicarbonate: national items dispensed by month
▬ Sodium chloride · ╌ Sodium bicarbonate
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026
| Measure | Sodium chloride | Sodium bicarbonate |
|---|---|---|
| Items, March 2026 | 11,500 | 56,139 |
| Items, last 12 months | 131,303 | 646,801 |
| Net ingredient cost, March 2026 | £343,015 | £514,563 |
See the full profile for Sodium chloride or Sodium bicarbonate.