Potassium Citrate for Uric Acid Stones

Uric acid stones form when the pH of urine is repeatedly 5 to 5.5 which is common in patients with gout. Normally the pH of urine is 6 to 7.5.

Potassium citrate is made of the element potassium, bound to a citrate molecule. It works by preventing the formation of kidney stones. Among the different types of kidney stones, potassium citrate works on calcium oxalate and uric acid stones. 

The citrate molecule binds to calcium, which reduces the likelihood of forming calcium oxalate crystals. Potassium citrate works by increasing the urinary pH, making it less acidic and more alkaline, making it harder for those stones to form. 

It also helps increase urinary citrate, which binds to calcium and keeps stones from growing. If calcium has this protective shield (citrate) then oxalate and phosphate will not bind to it. This will lower your kidney stone risk.