Therapy of conditions which may be associated with altered renal function and dosage forms therefor

A method of treating a subject suffering from abnormal distribution and retention of body fluids and retention products which is as a result of altered renal function, which comprises orally administering to a subject in need of such treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of an oral dosage form of a pharmaceutically acceptable alkaline acting substance adapted to release sodium and bicarbonate ions in the small intestine of the subject and being capable of increasing patient plasma bicarbonate level to a value in excess of that prior to treatment, the therapeutically effective amount being sufficient to substantially correct metabolic acidosis and increase urine production and clearance of retention products.