Generic
Potassium Chloride
At a glance
Potassium Chloride — brands, prices, indication, dosage and side effects available in Bangladesh.
Description
Potassium Chloride is a potassium salt that is used to treat potassium deficiency in the body. This supplement can relieve muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, nausea, and vomiting. It is an essential nutrient of the body which helps in the maintenance of good health. Potassium Chloride is administered as an injection by a healthcare professional. Kindly do not self administer. This medicine is usually well-tolerated, however, it may cause mild injection site reactions like pain, swelling, or redness, nausea, muscle weakness, and tingling sensation. Consult your doctor if any of the side effects persist. Breastfeeding and pregnant women should consult the doctor before receiving the treatment. Also, tell your doctor if you are on any medication for any health conditions. Potassium Chloride works by raising potassium levels in your blood.
Indications
• Potassium deficiency
Mechanism of action
Potassium chloride is a major cation of the intracellular fluid. It plays an active role in the conduction of nerve impulses in the 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.
Dosage
Adult Dose: Oral Prophylaxis of hypokalaemia and mild K deficiency; Hypokalaemia Adult: Prevention of hypokalaemia: 20 mEq daily. Treatment of hypokalaemia 40-100 mEq/day bid-qid. Give in divided doses if >20 mEq/day. Intravenous Severe acute hypokalaemia Adult: If serum potassium level >2.5 mEq/L, give at a rate not exceeding 10 mEq/hr in a concentration of up to 40 mEq/L. Max dose: 200 mEq/24 hr. If serum potassium level <2 mEq/L, may infuse at a rate of up to 40 mEq/hr. Continuous cardiac monitoring is essential. Max dose: 400 mEq/24 hr. Max Dosage: 2-3 mmol potassium/kg body wt in 24 hrs. Child Dose: Hypokalemia 0.5-2 mEq/kg PO q12hr Monitor closely: 0.5 mEq/kg/hr IV for 1-2 hr
Administration
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
Side effects
Common: • Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness) • Muscle weakness • Paresthesia (tingling or pricking sensation)
Precautions & warnings
[SAFE] Potassium Chloride does not usually affect your ability to drive. The concentration of intravenous infusion solution should not exceed 3.2 g (43 mmol)/l. Do not take potassium chloride if you have kidney, heart problems, high blood pressure or high blood potassium level. Avoid using potassium chloride, if you have Addison disease (adrenal gland disorder); severe tissue injury such as burn; severe dehydration, blockage of stomach or intestine or diarrhea from long time.
Contraindications
Hyperchloraemia, severe renal or adrenal insufficiency.
Drug interactions
Potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ciclosporin and potassium-containing drugs. Antimuscarinics delay gastric emptying time consequently increasing risk of GI adverse effects esp of solid oral dosage forms.
Food interactions
[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Potassium Chloride. Please consult your doctor.
Use in pregnancy
[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] Potassium Chloride may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Use in lactation
[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Potassium Chloride is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.
Renal / hepatic impairment
[CAUTION] Potassium Chloride should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Potassium Chloride may be needed. Please consult your doctor. [CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] There is limited information available on the use of Potassium Chloride in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.