Citrate is eventually metabolized to bicarbonate in the liver. So their alkalizing effects on the body fluids are very similar.

You have to be careful with the dosage of potassium citrate to avoid hyperkalemia which can have acute effects on heart, etc. The blood potassium level is only 3.5~5.0 mg/dl, whereas sodium level is 135~145 mg/dL. Therefore the blood has much smaller room for potassium citrate than sodium bicarbonate. You may like to visit the thread below for more info: http://ehealthforum.com/health/topic32252. html .