What drugs interact with potassium chloride?
heart or blood pressure medication. This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with potassium chloride, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
What happens if you overdose on potassium chloride?
What happens if I overdose on Potassium Chloride (Eqv-K-Tab) (Oral)? Overdose symptoms may include stomach pain, vomiting, irregular heartbeats, chest pain, muscle weakness, loss of movement,...
Why should I take potassium chloride?
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
- Pregnancy. There are no human data related to use of potassium chloride during pregnancy, and animal studies have not been conducted.
- Lactation. The normal potassium ion content of human milk is about 13 mEq per liter. ...
- Pediatric Use. ...
- Geriatric Use. ...
- Cirrhotics. ...
- Renal Impairment. ...
What are the side effects of potassium chloride pills?
Serious side effects of potassium chloride include:
- upper and lower gastrointestinal conditions including obstruction,
- bleeding,
- ulceration, and
- perforation.
What class of medication is potassium chloride?
Potassium chloride is a medication used in the management and treatment of hypokalemia. It is in the electrolyte supplement class of medications.
Do you need a prescription for potassium chloride?
Potassium Chloride is only available with a prescription but alternative brand-names can be bought over-the-counter. Typically, Potassium Chloride costs about $306.00 but you can use a Potassium Chloride coupon to reduce this cost to $51.76.
Why would a doctor prescribe potassium chloride?
Potassium chloride is used to prevent or to treat low blood levels of potassium (hypokalemia). Potassium levels can be low as a result of a disease or from taking certain medicines, or after a prolonged illness with diarrhea or vomiting.
Is potassium chloride a blood pressure medication?
Benefits of taking potassium chloride include : reducing high blood pressure. reducing the risk of developing heart disease and stroke. a reduction in salt consumption when used as a substitute.
What are signs of low potassium?
SymptomsConstipation.Feeling of skipped heart beats or palpitations.Fatigue.Muscle damage.Muscle weakness or spasms.Tingling or numbness.
Why does potassium chloride stop the heart?
This is because potassium sends signals to every muscle in the body to contract. When the potassium reaches the inmate's heart, it disrupts the delicate balance of sodium and potassium ions that keep the heart beating. The inmate's heart would begin beating irregularly - and then stop.
Is potassium chloride harmful to the body?
need to consult with a doctor about their recommended levels of potassium and may need to limit or avoid foods with potassium chloride,” she said. But for healthy individuals, potassium chloride isn't likely to do any harm, she added.
What are potassium chloride pills for?
What is this medication? POTASSIUM CHLORIDE (poe TASS i um KLOOR ide) prevents and treats low levels of potassium in your body. Potassium plays an important role in maintaining the health of your kidneys, heart, muscles, and nervous system.
What is the best time of day to take potassium chloride?
It is best to take this medicine with a meal or bedtime snack, or within 30 minutes after meals. Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not break, crush, chew, or suck it. Doing so, may cause irritation in the mouth or throat.
Does potassium lower blood pressure immediately?
It will take weeks to months to lower blood pressure using potassium. That's why eating a balanced diet and changing your lifestyle to prioritize heart health over the long haul is important. If you eat properly, you'll likely get enough potassium just through your food.
What are the 10 signs of low potassium?
What are the symptoms of potassium deficiency?weakness.feeling tired.muscle cramps.confusion.constipation.an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) – skipped heartbeats or an irregular heartbeat.tingling or numbness.increased urination.
Should I take potassium for high BP?
Increasing potassium intake can help decrease your blood pressure if you have high blood pressure. By lowering blood pressure, increasing potassium intake can also reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke. In contrast, consuming too much sodium can raise your blood pressure.
Can I buy potassium over the counter?
Some forms of oral potassium may be available in stores without a prescription. Since too much potassium may cause health problems, you should take potassium supplements only if directed by your doctor.
What does potassium chloride treat?
Potassium chloride (Klor-Con) is used to treat low potassium levels, or to prevent potassium levels from going too low due to certain medical conditions or medications. Potassium levels are measured through a blood test.
What are the 10 signs of low potassium?
What are the symptoms of potassium deficiency?weakness.feeling tired.muscle cramps.confusion.constipation.an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) – skipped heartbeats or an irregular heartbeat.tingling or numbness.increased urination.
How do you get prescribed potassium?
The usual dose is 1 to 3 mEq of potassium per kilogram (kg) (0.45 to 1.36 mEq per pound) of body weight taken in smaller doses during the day. The solution should be well mixed in water or juice.
What Is Potassium Chloride?
Potassium is a mineral that is found in many foods and is needed for several functions of your body, especially the beating of your heart.Potassium...
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use potassium chloride if you are allergic to it, or if: 1. you have high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia); or 2. yo...
How Should I Take Potassium Chloride?
Take potassium chloride exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or in...
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to...
What Happens If I Overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.Overdose symptoms may include irregular heartbeats, chest pain, or...
What Should I Avoid While Taking Potassium Chloride?
Avoid taking supplements or using other products that contain potassium without first asking your doctor. Salt substitutes or low-salt dietary prod...
Potassium Chloride Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to potassium chloride: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips...
Potassium Chloride Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Hypokalemia:Oral:40 to 100 mEq per day, orally, in 2 to 5 divided dosesMaximum single dose: 20 mEq per doseMaximum daily dose:...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Potassium Chloride?
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially: 1. a diuretic or "water pill"; or 2. heart or blood...
What are the signs of low potassium?
Many people with hypokalemia do not display any symptoms, so it can be hard for a doctor to diagnose. If a person does have symptoms, they may incl...
How does potassium chloride affect the heart?
If a person takes too much potassium chloride, they may experience heart palpitations or heart arrhythmia, which can be life threatening. However,...
What happens if you take too much potassium chloride?
Taking too much potassium chloride may result in hyperkalemia. This is when potassium levels in the blood are higher than usual. It is the opposite...
What are the signs of low potassium?
Many people with hypokalemia do not display any symptoms, so it can be hard for a doctor to diagnose.
How does potassium chloride affect the heart?
If a person takes too much potassium chloride, they may experience heart palpitations or heart arrhythmia, which can be life threatening.
What happens if you take too much potassium chloride?
Taking too much potassium chloride may result in hyperkalemia. This is when potassium levels in the blood are higher than usual. It is the opposite of hypokalemia.
What medications raise potassium levels?
Examples include eplerenone, ACE inhibitors such as enalapril / lisinopril, angiotensin receptor blockers such as losartan / valsartan, potassium-sparing " water pills "/ diuretics such as spironolactone / triamterene, birth control pills that contain drospirenone, among others.
How to take potassium if you have an upset stomach?
To prevent stomach upset, you must first mix your dose of potassium with a glass (4 to 8 ounces/120 to 240 milliliters) of cold water or juice as directed by your doctor. If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. After mixing, slowly drink the entire mixture. Take each dose after a meal. If you have upset stomach, mixing your dose in a larger amount of liquid may help. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What is the normal potassium level?
Potassium is the predominant cation of intracellular fluid. As a component of extracellular fluid, potassium has a normal range of approximately 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. Potassium levels below this range, or hypokalemia, broadly result from increased excretion, decreased intake, and increased movement into cells. Regardless of the cause, hypokalemia is a significant clinical derangement to address due to the increased risk of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Potassium chloride (KCl) is the preferred agent for correcting most presentations of hypokalemia. [1][2]
Where does potassium reabsorb?
Most potassium reabsorption occurs at the proximal convoluted tubule and loop of Henle. Potassium secretion begins at the distal convoluted tubule. The collecting duct may secrete or reabsorb potassium based on input from chemical messengers (e.g., aldosterone), tubular delivery of water and sodium, and serum potassium status. Pathology at any of these segments can influence how much potassium is retained or excreted. Examples of tubular pathologies that result in hypokalemia include genetic channelopathies (e.g., Bartter syndrome) and type I renal tubular acidosis. [4][5]
What causes potassium loss in the GI tract?
Gastrointestinal (GI) disease: GI-related potassium losses primarily occur due to vomiting and diarrhea. In vomiting, there is renal wasting of potassium induced primarily by metabolic alkalosis. Metabolic alkalosis results due to the loss of hydrogen and chloride ions. To replace the lost gastric acid, reactions involving carbonic anhydrase occur within parietal cells to yield hydrogen and hydroxyl ions. The hydrogen ions are secreted into the gastric lumen while the hydroxyl ions react with carbon dioxide to form bicarbonate. Bicarbonate then enters the bloodstream, resulting in hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis. In diarrhea, potassium is excreted with sodium, bicarbonate, and water, resulting in a hyperchloremic (i.e., normal anion gap) metabolic acidosis. In the setting of diarrhea, potassium bicarbonate is preferable to KCl. [10][11][12][2]
Does KCl increase potassium?
Regardless of the administration route, KCl is used to increase the potassium content of the body. Approximately 98% of all potassium in the body exists within cells, particularly skeletal muscle cells. This intracellular predominance is utilized by all cells for tonicity homeostasis and membrane potential dynamics. In cardiomyocytes and neurons, repolarization occurs through the movement of potassium ions out of cells through channel proteins. Both hypokalemia and hyperkalemia can interfere with normal cardiac electrophysiology, potentially leading to life-threatening arrhythmias. Notably, potassium abnormalities rarely manifest as central nervous system pathologies (e.g., seizures). [15][16][17][18][19]
Does KCl cause cardioplegia?
Other: During cardiac surgery, KCl serves to induce cardioplegia by interfering with phase 0 of the cardiac action potential. Cardioplegia allows surgeons to operate directly on the heart while maintaining tissue perfusion with extracorporeal life support. [13][14]
Does DKA cause hyperkalemia?
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): DKA usually presents with hyperkalemia due to the associated hyperosmolality and underlying insulin deficiency. This finding is deceptive; in DKA, total body potassium actually decreases. When administering insulin to move excess glucose from the bloodstream into the intracellular compartment, potassium moves intracellularly as well. As hypokalemia can result from insulin treatment, the clinician can administer KCl to maintain an adequate serum potassium level. [3]
Is potassium chloride a medication?
Potassium chloride is a medication used in the management and treatment of hypokalemia. It is in the electrolyte supplement class of medications. This activity outlines the indications, action, and contraindications for potassium chloride as a valuable agent in the management and treatment of hypokalemia. This activity will highlight the mechanism of action, adverse event profile, and other key factors (e.g., off-label uses, dosing, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, monitoring, relevant interactions) pertinent for members of the healthcare team in the management and treatment of patients with hypokalemia and related conditions.
What is the chemical name of potassium chloride?
Potassium Chloride is an electrolyte replenisher. The chemical name of the active ingredient is Potassium Chloride, and the structural formula is KCl. Potassium Chloride, USP occurs as a white crystalline powder. It is odorless and has a saline taste. Its solutions are neutral to litmus.
What is potassium chloride extended release?
Potassium Chloride extended-release tablets are indicated for the treatment and prophylaxis of hypokalemia with or without metabolic alkalosis, in patients for whom dietary management with potassium-rich foods or diuretic dose reduction is insufficient.
How much potassium is in milk?
Nursing Mothers: The normal potassium ion content of human milk is about 13 mEq per liter. Since oral potassium becomes part of the body potassium pool, so long as body potassium is not excessive, the contribution of Potassium Chloride supplementation should have little or no effect on the level in human milk.
How much potassium is needed for hypokalemia?
Potassium depletion sufficient to cause hypokalemia usually requires the loss of 200 or more mEq of potassium from the total body store. Dosage must be adjusted to the individual needs of each patient. The dose for the prevention of hypokalemia is typically in the range of 20 mEq per day.
How long after potassium is administered to cirrhosis?
Based on publish literature, the baseline corrected serum concentrations of potassium measured over 3 hours after administration in cirrhotic subjects who received an oral potassium load rose to approximately twice that of normal subjects who received the same load. Patients with cirrhosis should usually be started at the low end of the dosing range, and the serum potassium level should be monitored frequently [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .
What are the functions of potassium ions?
Potassium ions participate in a number of essential physiological processes including the maintenance of intracellular tonicity; the transmission of nerve impulses; the contraction of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle; and the maintenance of normal renal function.
What is the role of potassium ion in the body?
The potassium ion is the principal intracellular cation of most body tissues. Potassium ions participate in a number of essential physiological processes including the maintenance of intracellular tonicity; the transmission of nerve impulses; the contraction of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle; and the maintenance of normal renal function.
What Other Drugs Interact with Potassium Chloride?
If your doctor has directed you to use this medication for your condition, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions or side effects and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of this medicine or any medicine before getting further information from your doctor, healthcare provider, or pharmacist first.
How many drugs does potassium chloride interact with?
Potassium chloride has moderate interactions with at least 109 different drugs. Potassium chloride has mild interactions with at least 32 different drugs. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. ...
Can you use potassium chloride while pregnant?
Animal studies show risk and human studies are not available, or neither animal nor human studies were done. No information is available about use of potassium chloride while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor.
Does potassium chloride interact with other drugs?
Potassium Chloride has no known severe interactions with other drugs. Serious Interactions of potassium chloride include: Potassium chloride has moderate interactions with at least 109 different drugs. Potassium chloride has mild interactions with at least 32 different drugs.
Can you breastfeed with potassium chloride?
No information is available about the use of potassium chloride while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor.
Can you take KDur with Klor Con M15?
This medication contains potassium chloride. Do not take KDur, Slow K, Kaon Cl 10, KCl, K10, Klor-Con M, Klor Con M10, Klor Con M15, Klor Con M20, KlorCon, Klotrix, KTab, MicroK, or K8 if you are allergic to potassium chloride or any ingredients contained in this drug.
How to take potassium chloride?
The best way to take potassium chloride as medicine is to swallow the pill whole. Chewing, crushing, breaking, or sucking on it will irritate your mouth or throat. Doing so causes too much of the medication to be released at once. As for the powder form, mix it with half a cup of cold water or fruit juice and drink it slowly. Ensure you use the exact recommended dose and don't use it for longer than your doctor recommends.
What are the side effects of potassium chloride?
If you have signs of an allergic reaction after taking potassium chloride in food or as medicine, you need to get emergency medical help. Hives, swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue are some indicators of an allergic reaction. Other symptoms to look out for are:
What is the best substitute for sodium in food?
Many food companies use potassium chloride as a substitute to lower the sodium levels in their processed foods. As consumers continue to demand lower-sodium products, manufacturers have found potassium chloride to be a safe alternative. It's now the leading reformulation option for reducing sodium levels in food products.
Why is potassium chloride salt called potassium chloride salt?
They should clearly label it as “potassium chloride salt.”. The word salt is to encourage food makers to use this product as an alternative to sodium chloride. The agency believes this will also help consumers understand that potassium chloride is a viable substitute to sodium chloride.
What is the role of potassium in the body?
Potassium is one of the essential minerals your body needs to function normally. It plays a crucial role in regulating the beating of the heart. It's present in many foods, but its deficiency in the body can lead to hypokalemia or potassium deficiency. Potassium chloride is a form of salt that can be used as a medication to treat low potassium ...
What happens if you have high potassium?
Stomach bloating. A high potassium level accompanied by weakness, nausea, irregular heartbeats, chest pain, and loss of movement. Severe stomach pain and vomiting.
Can you give potassium chloride to a baby?
It's unclear whether it can harm the unborn or breastfeeding child as studies are still in the early stages. Don't give potassium chloride to a child as medication without consulting a doctor first.
What causes potassium chloride to be delayed?
Hypersensitivity to potassium chloride or any component of the formulation; hyperkalemia, renal failure, and conditions in which potassium retention is present; structural, pathological, and/or pharmacologic cause for delay or arrest in passage through the GI tract (solid oral dosage forms only).
What temperature should potassium chloride be stored?
Solution for injection: Store at 25°C (77°F); do not freeze; avoid excessive heat. Use only clear solutions. Potassium chloride is compatible when admixed in most common infusion solutions. Refer to institution-specific policies and procedures for stability information.
What is the maximum concentration of potassium in a parenteral infusion?
Some clinicians recommend that the maximum concentration for peripheral infusion is 10 mEq/100 mL and 20-40 mEq/100 mL for central infusions.
What is the mechanism of action of potassium?
Mechanism of Action. Potassium is the major cation of intracellular fluid and is essential for the conduction of nerve impulses in heart, brain, and skeletal muscle; contraction of cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscles; maintenance of normal renal function, acid-base balance, carbohydrate metabolism, and gastric secretion.
Can parenteral administration cause hyponatremia?
Hyponatremia: Parenteral administration may cause hyponatremia; risk may be increased in children, elderly patients, postoperatively, in patients with psychogenic polydipsia, and with concurrent use of medications that may decrease sodium (eg, diuretics). Monitor serum sodium as clinically indicated.
Can you administer potassium via IV push?
Parenteral: Potassium must be diluted prior to parenteral administration. For IV infusion; do not administer IV push. In general, the rate of administration may be dependent on patient condition and specific institution policy.
Does eplerenone help with hyperkalemia?
Eplerenone: May enhance the hyperkalemic effect of Potassium Salts. Management: This combination is contraindicated in patients receiving eplerenone for treatment of hypertension. Consider therapy modification
