Water Therapy

What’s alkaline water?

The term “alkaline” refers to water’s pH level. pH is measured in a range from 0 to 14. The only difference between this type of water and regular tap water is the pH level.

Regular tap water has a pH level of around 7.5. Alkaline water has a higher pH of 8 to 9. The higher the number, the more alkaline it is. The lower the number, the more acidic it is.

According to a study from 2013, water with a low (acidic) pH tends to have toxic effects.

It was once thought that ingesting acidic foods and drinks may increase your risk of developing cancer. It’s also been said that an acidic diet “feeds” cancer cells, allowing them to thrive and spread.

Here’s what you need to know about the potential benefits and risks of alkaline water.

Alkaline water and cancer

Alkaline water is said to help counteract the acid that’s found in your bloodstream. It’s thought that drinking water with a higher pH can increase your metabolism and improve your body’s ability to absorb vital nutrients.

Some theorize that this will starve any cancer cells found in your body because cancer cells thrive in an acidic environment.

Introducing something more alkaline is said by some to slow or stop cancer growth by balancing your body’s pH levels.

In general, alkaline water may have a hydrating effect on your body. For some people, it might also improve symptoms related to stomach acid reflux.

However, in a body with normal function, alkaline water sold at stores to the general public will not cause a significant change, if much at all, in your body’s overall acid-base balance as measured in the bloodstream.

What the research says

There currently isn’t any scientific evidence to support the idea that alkaline water can treat or prevent cancer.

It’s nearly impossible to grossly alter the pH level of your blood by eating or drinking certain food substances.

Under normal circumstances, your body has a way of naturally balancing its internal pH level without requiring a high level of thought or action on your part. Your body has multiple, complex and interrelated cellular mechanisms involved in keeping your internal pH where it should be.

If you have cancer, it shouldn’t drastically affect your overall pH level. Cancerous cells do produce lactic acid, but it usually isn’t enough to alter the pH level of your entire body.

In general, there’s very little research about the way alkalinity affects the human body. A high level of alkalinity in water is said to be potentially harmful to one’s health, though.

See full Prescribing Information here ›

See Indication and Important Safety Information, including
BOXED WARNING, below.

Indication

ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) for injection is approved for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed Stage 3 or 4 classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) in combination with chemotherapy.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important serious safety information I should know about ADCETRIS?

• PROGRESSIVE MULTIFOCAL LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY (PML): Patients who are treated with ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) can have a rare, serious infection of the brain called PML. It can cause death. Symptoms started at different times after starting ADCETRIS treatment, some within 3 months after the first dose. Other possible causes of PML are prior treatments or diseases that weakened the patient’s immune system.
• ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) should not be taken with bleomycin because of possible side effects in the lungs.

What are the other possible serious side effects of ADCETRIS?

• Nerve damage: Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) that mostly involves numbness or tingling in the hands or feet (sensory) and/or weakness in the arms or legs (motor). Symptoms increase with more doses. Your doctor may change or stop your ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) dose depending on the severity of your symptoms.
• Allergic and infusion reactions: Allergic reactions, including severe forms, during infusion or up to 24 hours after administration of ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin). Patients who had a reaction with earlier doses should receive premedication with later doses, which may include acetaminophen, an antihistamine, and a corticosteroid.
• Blood problems: Serious cases, including deaths, of fever with a low number of white blood cells have occurred with ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin). ADCETRIS may also cause a low number of white blood cells lasting a week or more, with or without fever. A low number of platelets (which help the blood clot) or red blood cells has also occurred with ADCETRIS.
• Your doctor will give you a medicine called growth factor with your first dose if you are receiving ADCETRIS in combination with chemotherapy to treat Stage 3 or 4 cHL. Growth factor is meant to prevent you from having a low number of white blood cells.
• Your blood counts will be checked before each dose, more often if necessary. You will be monitored for fever. If your white blood cell count is too low, your doctor may delay your next infusion, lower your dose, stop your ADCETRIS therapy, or give you growth factor with future doses of ADCETRIS.
• Infections: Serious infections, including deaths, that occur when your immune system is weakened, such as pneumonia, bacteremia, and sepsis or septic shock.
• Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS): You will be closely monitored for TLS if you have a tumor that grows quickly or have many tumor cells throughout your body.
• Patients with severe kidney disease may have more side effects and deaths compared to patients with normal kidney function and should avoid use of ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin).
• Patients with moderate or severe liver disease may have more side effects and deaths compared to patients with normal liver function and should avoid use of ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin).
• Liver injury: Serious liver problems, including deaths, have been reported after the first dose of ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) and after ADCETRIS was stopped and restarted. Your liver function will be monitored. Having liver problems, raised liver enzymes, and some medicines may increase the risk. Your doctor may delay your next infusion, lower your dose, or stop your ADCETRIS therapy if you have liver problems.
• Lung problems: Serious lung problems, including deaths, have been reported. If you have symptoms, your doctor may hold your ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) therapy until they improve.
• Skin problems: Rare but serious skin conditions, including deaths, called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). If either occurs, your doctor will stop ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) and treat you for symptoms.
• Gastrointestinal (GI) problems: Serious problems, including deaths, related to the pancreas, stomach, intestine, and colon have been reported. Lymphoma that involves the stomach or intestine may increase the risk of GI perforation (hole in the stomach or intestine).
• Fetal harm: ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) can harm a fetus (unborn baby). Women should not become pregnant while taking ADCETRIS and for at least 6 months after the last dose of ADCETRIS.

What were the most common side effects in clinical trials?

1055 patients were treated with ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) in clinical trials (used with chemotherapy, or on its own). The most common side effects were a low number of white blood cells, a low number of red blood cells, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, nausea, feeling tired, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.

What should I tell my doctor before I start treatment with ADCETRIS?

• Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) should be avoided if you have severe kidney disease or moderate or severe liver disease.
• Tell your doctor about any medicine you are taking (including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements) because it is possible for ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) to interact with certain types of drugs.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not take ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) while pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Women should use effective birth control while taking ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) and for at least 6 months after the final dose of ADCETRIS.
• Men with female partners should use effective birth control while taking ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) and for at least 6 months after the final dose of ADCETRIS.

Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Symptoms of nerve damage: Tingling, burning, or numbness in the hands or feet. Changes in sense of touch or trouble moving the hands or feet.
• Symptoms of infection: Fever of 100.5°F or higher, chills, cough, or pain upon urination.
• Symptoms of infusion reaction: Fever, chills, rash, or breathing problems within 24 hours of infusion.
• Symptoms of liver injury: Fatigue, anorexia, upper stomach pain, dark urine, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
• Symptoms of PML: Changes in mood or usual behavior. Confusion, thinking problems, or loss of memory. Changes in vision, speech, or walking. Decreased strength or weakness on one side of the body.
• Symptoms of lung problems: New or worsening cough or shortness of breath.
• Symptoms of acute pancreatitis: Severe abdominal pain.
• Symptoms of GI problems: Severe stomach pain, chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Pregnancy: Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not receive ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin). ADCETRIS can harm a fetus (unborn baby).
• Any other side effects that are bothersome or do not go away.

You are encouraged to report any side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

ADCETRIS and its logo, and Seattle Genetics and

, are US registered trademarks of Seattle Genetics, Inc.

© 2018 Seattle Genetics, Inc., Bothell, WA 98021

All rights reserved     USP-BVP-2018-0185

 

How to use alkaline water

In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) published updated guidelines on the quality of drinking water.

The WHO hasn’t made any health-based guidelines or recommendations for the specific pH level your drinking water should have.

These guidelines state that the pH level generally doesn’t have a direct impact on consumers, as water that’s effectively disinfected with chlorine preferably has a pH less than 8.0.

If you’d like to use alkaline water, you may be able to drink it as you would regular tap water. Keep in mind that too much alkaline water may cause side effects, such as upset stomach and indigestion.

Risks and warnings

Drinking water with a balanced pH is necessary. If the water is too acidic or too alkaline, it can potentially have a negative effect on your health.

Your body isn’t designed to drink alkaline water alone. If you drink too much, it can disrupt the acid production within your stomach. This can result in indigestion or stomach ulcers.

Other risks include becoming more vulnerable to bacterial overgrowth and other germs causing infection within your small intestine. Your body may also have difficulty digesting and absorbing nutrients.

If you’re currently experiencing any kidney problems or have a chronic diagnosis related to the function of your kidneys, consult your doctor before use. This type of water may be harmful to you.

Where can I get alkaline water?

You can create your own alkaline water with special filters or faucet attachments. You can also use additive drops to alkalinize your water.

In most large chain stores, water ionizers can be purchased that convert your tap water to an alkaline pH state. Bottled alkaline water is also available at most grocery stores.

There isn’t scientific evidence to suggest that this has a positive impact on cancer treatments or health. Because of this, alkaline water typically isn’t considered a covered healthcare expense by your insurance provider.

What you can do now

Although alkaline water is generally considered safe to drink, there isn’t any evidence to suggest that it has notable health benefits.

If you do decide to give alkaline water a try, here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind:

• Adding a squeeze of lemon or lime to your water can actually reduce the alkalinity of your water because these citrus fruits are acidic.
• If you decide to create your own alkaline water, use distilled water. This may reduce the number of additives present.
• Don’t drink alkaline water at meal times, if possible. Drinking alkaline water with food may negatively affect your body’s ability to digest food.

If you start experiencing any unusual side effects, you should discontinue use and consult your doctor. They can work with you to determine the cause and, if needed, update your treatment regimen.

Article resources

• Guidelines for drinking-water quality, fourth edition. (2011).
• who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/dwq-guidelines-4/en/
• Mohsin M, et al. (2013). Assessment of drinking water quality and its impact on residents health in Bahawalpur city.
• ijhssnet.com/journals/Vol_3_No_15_August_2013/14.pdf
• Zeratsky K. (2018). Nutrition and healthy eating: Is alkaline water better for you than plain water?
• mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/alkaline-water/faq-20058029?reDate=21062016