POTASSIUMSUPPLEMENTS (Systemic)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.?

• Cena-K ⁵
• Effer-K ⁴
• Gen-K ⁵
• Glu-K ⁶
• K-8 ⁵
• K+ 10 ⁵
• Kaochlor 10% ⁵
• Kaochlor S-F 10% ⁵
• Kaon ⁶
• Kaon-Cl ⁵
• Kaon-Cl-10 ⁵
• Kaon-Cl 20% Liquid ⁵
• Kato ⁵
• Kay Ciel ⁵
• Kaylixir ⁶
• K+ Care ⁵
• K+ Care ET ²
• K-Dur ⁵
• K-Electrolyte ²
• K-G Elixir ⁶
• K-Ide ³
• K-Lease ⁵
• K-Lor ⁵
• Klor-Con 8 ⁵
• Klor-Con 10 ⁵
• Klor-Con/EF ²
• Klor-Con Powder ⁵
• Klor-Con/25 Powder ⁵
• Klorvess ³
• Klorvess Effervescent Granules ³
• Klorvess 10% Liquid ⁵
• Klotrix ⁵
• K-Lyte ²
• K-Lyte/Cl ³
• K-Lyte/Cl 50 ³
• K-Lyte/Cl Powder ⁵
• K-Lyte DS ⁴
• K-Norm ⁵
• Kolyum ⁷
• K-Sol ⁵
• K-Tab ⁵
• K-Vescent ²
• Micro-K ⁵
• Micro-K 10 ⁵
• Micro-K LS ⁵
• Potasalan ⁵
• Rum-K ⁵
• Slow-K ⁵
• Ten-K ⁵
• Tri-K ⁹
• Twin-K ⁸

In Canada?

• Apo-K ⁵
• K-10 ⁵
• Kalium Durules ⁵
• Kaochlor-10 ⁵
• Kaochlor-20 ⁵
• Kaon ⁶
• KCL 5% ⁵
• K-Dur ⁵
• K-Long ⁵
• K-Lor ⁵
• K-Lyte ²
• K-Lyte/Cl ⁵
• K-Med 900 ⁵
• Micro-K ⁵
• Micro-K 10 ⁵
• Neo-K ³
• Potassium-Rougier ⁶
• Potassium-Sandoz ³
• Roychlor-10% ⁵
• Slow-K ⁵

Another commonly used name for trikates is potassium triplex.

Category

• Antihypokalemic?Potassium Acetate; Potassium Bicarbonate; Potassium Bicarbonate and Potassium Chloride; Potassium Bicarbonate and Potassium Citrate; Potassium Chloride; Potassium Gluconate; Potassium Gluconate and Potassium Chloride; Potassium Gluconate and Potassium Citrate; Trikates
• Electrolyte replenisher?Potassium Acetate; PotassiumBicarbonate; Potassium Bicarbonate andPotassium Chloride; Potassium Bicarbonateand Potassium Citrate; Potassium Chloride; Potassium Gluconate; Potassium Gluconate and Potassium Chloride; Potassium Gluconate and Potassium Citrate; Trikates

Description

Potassium is needed to maintain good health.Although a balanced diet usually supplies all the potassium a person needs,potassium supplements may be needed by patients who do not have enough potassiumin their regular diet or have lost too much potassium because of illness ortreatment with certain medicines.

There is no evidence that potassium supplements are useful in the treatmentof high blood pressure.

Lack of potassium may cause muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, moodchanges, or nausea and vomiting.

Injectable potassium is administered only by or under the supervision ofyour doctor. Some forms of oral potassium may be available in stores withouta prescription. Since too much potassium may cause health problems, you shouldtake potassium supplements only if directed by your doctor. Potassium supplementsare available with your doctor's prescription in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Potassium Bicarbonate
  • Tablets for solution (U.S. and Canada)
• Potassium Bicarbonate and Potassium Chloride
  • Powder for solution (U.S. and Canada)
  • Tablets for solution (U.S. and Canada)
• Potassium Bicarbonate and Potassium Citrate
  • Tablets for solution (U.S.)
• Potassium Chloride
  • Extended-release capsules (U.S. and Canada)
  • Solution (U.S. and Canada)
  • Powder for solution (U.S. and Canada)
  • Powder for suspension (U.S.)
  • Extended-release tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Potassium Gluconate
  • Elixir (U.S. and Canada)
  • Tablets (U.S.)
• Potassium Gluconate and Potassium Chloride
  • Solution (U.S.)
  • Powder for solution (U.S.)
• Potassium Gluconate and Potassium Citrate
  • Solution (U.S.)
• Trikates
  • Solution (U.S.)

Parenteral
• Potassium Acetate
  • Injection (U.S.)
• Potassium Chloride
  • Concentrate for injection (U.S. and Canada)

Importance of Diet

The following table includes some potassium-rich foods.

Food (amount)	Milligramsof potassium	Milliequivalents ofpotassium
Acorn squash,cooked (1 cup)	896	23
Potato with skin, baked (1 long)	844	22
Spinach, cooked (1 cup)	838	21
Lentils, cooked (1 cup)	731	19
Kidney beans, cooked(1 cup)	713	18
Splitpeas, cooked (1 cup)	710	18
White navy beans, cooked (1 cup)	669	17
Butternut squash, cooked (1 cup)	583	15
Watermelon (1/16)	560	14
Raisins (1/2 cup)	553	14
Yogurt,low-fat, plain (1 cup)	531	14
Orange juice, frozen (1 cup)	503	13
Brussel sprouts, cooked (1 cup)	494	13
Zucchini, cooked, sliced (1 cup)	456	12
Banana (medium)	451	12
Collards, frozen, cooked(1 cup)	427	11
Cantaloupe(1/4)	412	11
Milk,low-fat 1% (1 cup)	348	9
Broccoli, frozen, cooked (1 cup)	332	9

For U.S.?
• Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) are the amount of vitaminsand minerals needed to provide for adequate nutrition in most healthy persons.RDAs for a given nutrient may vary depending on a person's age, sex, and physicalcondition (e.g., pregnancy).
• Daily Values (DVs) are used on food and dietary supplement labelsto indicate the percent of the recommended daily amount of each nutrient thata serving provides. DV replaces the previous designation of United StatesRecommended Daily Allowances (USRDAs).

For Canada?
• Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) are used to determine the amountsof vitamins, minerals, and protein needed to provide adequate nutrition andlessen the risk of chronic disease.

Because lack of potassium is rare, there is no RDA or RNI for this mineral.However, it is thought that 1600 to 2000 mg (40 to 50 milliequivalents [mEq])per day for adults is adequate.

Remember:

• The total amount of potassium that you get every day includes whatyou get from food and what you may take as a supplement.Read the labels of processed foods. Many foods now have added potassium.
• Your total intake of potassium should not be greater than the recommendedamounts, unless ordered by your doctor. In some cases, too much potassiummay cause muscle weakness, confusion, irregular heartbeat, or difficult breathing.

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For potassium supplements,the following should be considered:

Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to potassium preparations. Also tell your doctor and pharmacistif you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,or dyes.

Pregnancy?Potassium supplements have not been shown to causeproblems in humans.

Breast-feeding?Potassium supplements pass into breast milk. However,this medicine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children?Although there is no specific information comparinguse of potassium supplements in children with use in other age groups, theyare not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children thanthey do in adults.

Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific informationcomparing use of potassium supplements in the elderly with use in other agegroups, they are not expected to cause different side effects or problemsin older people than they do in younger adults.

Older adults may be at a greater risk of developing high blood levels ofpotassium (hyperkalemia).

Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are takingpotassium supplements, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacistknow if you are taking any of the following:

• Amantadine (e.g., Symmetrel) or
• Anticholinergics (medicine for abdominal or stomach spasms or cramps)or
• Antidepressants (medicine for depression) or
• Antidyskinetics (medicine for Parkinson's disease or other conditionsaffecting control of muscles) or
• Antihistamines or
• Antipsychotic medicine (medicine for mental illness) or
• Buclizine (e.g., Bucladin) or
• Carbamazepine (e.g., Tegretol) or
• Cyclizine (e.g., Marezine) or
• Cyclobenzaprine (e.g., Flexeril) or
• Disopyramide (e.g., Norpace) or
• Flavoxate (e.g., Urispas) or
• Ipratropium (e.g., Atrovent) or
• Meclizine (e.g., Antivert) or
• Methylphenidate (e.g., Ritalin) or
• Orphenadrine (e.g., Norflex) or
• Oxybutynin (e.g., Ditropan) or
• Procainamide (e.g., Pronestyl) or
• Promethazine (e.g., Phenergan) or
• Quinidine (e.g., Quinidex) or
• Trimeprazine (e.g., Temaril)?Use with potassium supplementsmay cause or worsen certain stomach or intestine problems

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (benazepril [e.g.,Lotensin], captopril [e.g., Capoten], enalapril [e.g., Vasotec], fosinopril[e.g., Monotril], lisinopril [e.g., Prinivil, Zestril], quinapril [e.g., Accupril],ramipril [e.g., Altace]) or
• Amiloride (e.g., Midamor) or
• Beta-adrenergic blocking agents (acebutolol [e.g., Sectral], atenolol[e.g., Tenormin], betaxolol [e.g., Kerlone], carteolol [e.g., Cartrol], labetalol[e.g., Normodyne], metoprolol [e.g., Lopressor], nadolol [e.g., Corgard],oxprenolol [e.g., Trasicor], penbutolol [e.g., Levatol], pindolol [e.g., Visken],propranolol [e.g., Inderal], sotalol [e.g., Sotacor], timolol [e.g., Blocadren])or
• Heparin (e.g., Panheprin) or
• Inflammation or pain medicine (except narcotics) or
• Potassium-containing medicines (other) or
• Salt substitutes, low-salt foods, or milk or
• Spironolactone (e.g., Aldactone) or
• Triamterene (e.g., Dyrenium)?Use with potassium supplementsmay further increase potassium blood levels, which may cause or worsen heartproblems

• Digitalis glycosides (heart medicine)?Use with potassium supplementsmay make heart problems worse

• Thiazide diuretics (water pills)?If you have been taking apotassium supplement and a thiazide diuretic together, stopping the thiazidediuretic may cause hyperkalemia (high blood levels of potassium)

Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of potassium supplements. Make sure you tell yourdoctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Addison's disease (underactive adrenal glands) or
• Dehydration (excessive loss of body water, continuing or severe)

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus or
• Kidney disease?Potassium supplements may increase the riskof hyperkalemia (high blood levels of potassium), which may worsen or causeheart problems in patients with these conditions

• Diarrhea (continuing or severe)?The loss of fluid in combinationwith potassium supplements may cause kidney problems, which may increase therisk of hyperkalemia (high blood levels of potassium)

• Heart disease?Potassium supplements may make this conditionworse

• Intestinal or esophageal blockage?Potassium supplements maydamage the intestines

• Stomach ulcer?Potassium supplements may make this conditionworse

Proper Use of This Medicine

For patientstaking the liquid form of this medicine:

• This medicine must be diluted in at leastone-half glass (4 ounces) of cold water or juice to reduce its possible stomach-irritatingor laxative effect.
• If you are on a salt (sodium)-restricted diet, check with your doctorbefore using tomato juice to dilute your medicine. Tomato juice has a highsalt content.

For patients taking the soluble granule, soluble powder,or soluble tablet form of this medicine:

• This medicine must be completely dissolved in at least one-half glass(4 ounces) of cold water or juice to reduce its possible stomach-irritatingor laxative effect.
• Allow any "fizzing" to stop before taking the dissolved medicine.
• If you are on a salt (sodium)-restricted diet, check with your doctorbefore using tomato juice to dilute your medicine. Tomato juice has a highsalt content.

For patients taking the extended-release tablet form of this medicine:

• Swallow the tablets whole with a full (8-ounce) glass of water. Donot chew or suck on the tablet.
• Some tablets may be broken or crushed and sprinkled on applesauceor other soft food. However, check with your doctor or pharmacist first, sincethis should not be done for most tablets.
• If you have trouble swallowing tablets or if they seem to stick inyour throat, check with your doctor. When this medicine is not properly released,it can cause irritation that may lead to ulcers.

For patients taking the extended-release capsule form of this medicine:

• Do not crush or chew the capsule. Swallow the capsule whole witha full (8-ounce) glass of water.
• Some capsules may be opened and the contents sprinkled on applesauceor other soft food. However, check with your doctor or pharmacist first, sincethis should not be done for most capsules.

Take this medicine immediately after meals or withfood to lessen possible stomach upset or laxative action.

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not takeit for a longer time than your doctor ordered. This isespecially important if you are also taking both diuretics (water pills) anddigitalis medicines for your heart.

Dosing?The dose of these single or combination medicineswill be different for different patients. Follow yourdoctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following informationincludes only the average dose of these medicines. Ifyour dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells youto do so.

The number of ounces of solution that you drink, or the number of tabletsor capsules you take, depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed betweendoses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medicalproblem for which you are taking the single or combination medicine.

For potassium bicarbonate
• For oral dosage form (tablets for solution):
  • To prevent potassium loss or replace potassium lost by the body:
    • Adults and teenagers?25 to 50 milliequivalents (mEq) dissolvedin one-half to one glass of cold water, taken one or two times a day. Yourdoctor may change the dose if needed. However, most people will not take morethan 100 mEq a day.
    • Children?Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For potassium bicarbonate and potassium chloride
• For oral dosage form (granules for solution):
  • To prevent potassium loss or replace potassium lost by the body:
    • Adults and teenagers?20 milliequivalents (mEq) dissolved inone-half to one glass of cold water, taken one or two times a day. Your doctormay change the dose if needed. However, most people will not take more than100 mEq a day.
    • Children?Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For oral dosage form (tablets for solution):
  • To prevent potassium loss or replace potassium lost by the body:
    • Adults and teenagers?20, 25, or 50 mEq dissolved in one-halfto one glass of cold water, taken one or two times a day. Your doctor maychange the dose if needed. However, most people will not take more than 100mEq a day.
    • Children?Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate
• For oral dosage form (tablets for solution):
  • To prevent potassium loss or replace potassium lost by the body:
    • Adults and teenagers?25 or 50 milliequivalents (mEq) dissolvedin one-half to one glass of cold water, taken one or two times a day. Yourdoctor may change the dose if needed. However, most people will not take morethan 100 mEq a day.
    • Children?Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For potassium chloride
• For oral dosage form (extended-releasecapsules):
  • To replace potassium lost by the body:
    • Adults and teenagers?40 to 100 milliequivalents (mEq) a day,divided into two or three smaller doses during the day. Your doctor may changethe dose if needed. However, most people will not take more than 100 mEq aday.
  • To prevent potassium loss:
    • Adults and teenagers?16 to 24 mEq a day, divided into two orthree smaller doses during the day. Your doctor may change the dose if needed.However, most people will not take more than 100 mEq a day.
    • Children?Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For oral dosage form (liquid for solution):
  • To prevent potassium loss or replace potassium lost by the body:
    • Adults and teenagers?20 mEq mixed into one-half glass of coldwater or juice, taken one to four times a day. Your doctor may change thedose if needed. However, most people will not take more than 100 mEq a day.
    • Children?Dose is based on body weight and must be determinedby your doctor. 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 duringthe day. The solution should be well mixed in water or juice.
• For oral dosage form (powder for solution):
  • To prevent potassium loss or replace potassium lost by the body:
    • Adults and teenagers?15 to 25 mEq dissolved in four to sixounces of cold water, taken two or four times a day. Your doctor may changethe dose if needed. However, most people will not take more than 100 mEq aday.
    • Children?Dose is based on body weight and must be determinedby your doctor. The usual dose is 1 to 3 mEq per kg (0.45 to 1.36 mEq perpound) of body weight taken in smaller doses during the day. The solutionshould be mixed into water or juice.
• For oral dosage form (powder for suspension):
  • To prevent potassium loss or replace potassium lost by the body:
    • Adults and teenagers?20 mEq dissolved in two to six ouncesof cold water, taken one to five times a day. Your doctor may change the doseif needed. However, most people will not take more than 100 mEq a day.
    • Children?Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For oral dosage form (extended-releasetablets):
  • To prevent potassium loss or replace potassium lost by the body:
    • Adults and teenagers?6.7 to 20 mEq taken three times a day.However, most people will not take more than 100 mEq a day.
    • Children?Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For potassium gluconate
• For oral dosage form (liquid for solution):
  • To prevent potassium loss or replace potassium lost by the body:
    • Adults and teenagers?20 milliequivalents (mEq) mixed into one-halfglass of cold water or juice, taken two to four times a day. Your doctor maychange the dose if needed. However, most people will not take more than 100mEq a day.
    • Children?Dose is based on body weight and must be determinedby your doctor. The usual dose is 2 to 3 mEq per kilogram (kg) (0.9 to 1.36mEq per pound) of body weight a day, taken in smaller doses during the day.The solution should be completely mixed into water or juice.
• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • To prevent potassium loss or replace potassium lost by the body:
    • Adults and teenagers?5 to 10 mEq taken two to four times aday. However, most people will not take more than 100 mEq a day.
    • Children?Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For potassium gluconate and potassium chloride
• For oral dosage form (liquid for solution):
  • To prevent potassium loss or replace potassium lost by the body:
    • Adults and teenagers?20 milliequivalents (mEq) diluted in 2tablespoonfuls or more of cold water or juice, taken two to four times a day.Your doctor may change the dose if needed. However, most people will not takemore than 100 mEq a day.
    • Children?Dose is based on body weight and must be determinedby your doctor. The usual dose is 2 to 3 mEq per kilogram (kg) (0.9 to 1.36mEq per pound) of body weight taken in smaller doses during the day. The solutionshould be well mixed into water or juice.
• For oral dosage form (powder for solution):
  • To prevent potassium loss or replace potassium lost by the body:
    • Adults and teenagers?20 mEq mixed in 2 tablespoonfuls or moreof cold water or juice taken two to four times a day. Your doctor may changethe dose if needed. However, most people will not take more than 100 mEq aday.
    • Children?Dose is base on body weight and must be determinedby your doctor. The usual dose is 2 to 3 mEq per kg (0.9 to 1.36 mEq per pound)of body weight taken in smaller doses during the day. The solution shouldbe well mixed into water or juice.

For potassium gluconate and potassium citrate
• For oral dosage form (liquid for solution):
  • To prevent potassium loss or replace potassium lost by the body:
    • Adults and teenagers?20 milliequivalents (mEq) mixed into one-halfglass of cold water or juice, taken two to four times a day. Your doctor maychange the dose if needed. However, most people will not take more than 100mEq a day.
    • Children?Dose is based on body weight and must be determinedby your doctor. The usual dose is 2 to 3 mEq per kg (0.9 to 1.36 mEq per pound)of body weight taken in smaller doses during the day. The solution shouldbe well mixed into water or juice.

For trikates
• For oral dosage form (liquid for solution):
  • To prevent potassium loss or replace potassium lost by the body:
    • Adults and teenagers?15 milliequivalents (mEq) mixed into one-halfglass of cold water or juice, taken three or four times a day. Your doctormay change the dose if needed. However, most people will not take more than100 mEq a day.
    • Children?Dose is based on body weight and must be determinedby your doctor. The usual dose is 2 to 3 mEq per kilogram (kg) (0.9 to 1.36mEq per pound) of body weight taken in smaller doses during the day. The solutionshould be well mixed into water or juice.

Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine and rememberwithin 2 hours, take the missed dose right away with food or liquids. Thengo back to your regular dosing schedule. However, if you do not remember untillater, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Donot double doses.

Storage?To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in otherdamp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the liquid form of this medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

Yourdoctor should check your progress at regular visits to make sure the medicineis working properly and that possible side effects are avoided. Laboratorytests may be necessary.

Do not use salt substitutes, eat low-sodium foods,especially some breads and canned foods, or drink low-sodium milk unless youare told to do so by your doctor, since these products may contain potassium.It is important to read the labels carefully on all low-sodium food products.

Check with your doctor before starting any physical exercise program, especiallyif you are out of condition and are taking any other medicine. Exercise andcertain medicines may increase the amount of potassium in the blood.

Check with your doctor at once if you notice blackishstools or other signs of stomach or intestinal bleeding. This medicinemay cause such a condition to become worse, especially when taken in tabletform.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicinemay cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects mayoccur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Stop taking this medicineand check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effectsoccur:

Less common

Confusion; irregular or slow heartbeat; numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips; shortness of breath or difficult breathing; unexplained anxiety; unusual tiredness or weakness; weakness or heaviness of legs

Also, check with your doctorif any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Abdominal or stomach pain, cramping, or soreness (continuing); chest or throat pain, especially when swallowing; stools with signs of blood (red or black color)

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medicalattention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjuststo the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following sideeffects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Diarrhea; nausea; stomach pain, discomfort, or gas (mild); vomiting

Sometimes you may see what appears to bea whole tablet in the stool after taking certain extended-release potassiumchloride tablets. This is to be expected. Your body has absorbed the potassiumfrom the tablet and the shell is then expelled.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.