Food industry As a
food additive, sodium lactate has the
E number E325 and is naturally a liquid product, but also is available in powder form. It acts as a
preservative,
acidity regulator, and bulking agent. Despite the similarity in name, sodium lactate itself is not chemically similar to
lactose (milk sugar), so need not be restricted by those with
lactose intolerance.
Cosmetics and personal care products Sodium lactate is sometimes used in
shampoo products and other similar items such as liquid soaps, as it is an effective
humectant and
moisturizer.
Medical use Sodium lactate is used to treat arrhythmias caused by overdosing of
class I antiarrythmics, as well as pressor
sympathomimetics which can cause
hypertension. It can be given
intravenously as a source of
bicarbonate for preventing or controlling mild to moderate
metabolic acidosis in patients with restricted oral intake (for sodium bicarbonate) whose oxidative processes are not seriously impaired. However, the use in
lactic acidosis is
contraindicated. Sodium lactate may
induce panic attacks in persons with existing
panic disorder; up to 72% of individuals with panic disorder experience a panic attack when administered sodium lactate intravenously. Sodium lactate may therefore also be used to confirm a diagnosis of panic disorder. In 2022, it was the 287th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 500,000 prescriptions. == Chemistry and biochemistry ==