Potassium Citrate
Indications
- Prevention of kidney stones in people whose urine has too little citrate, and prevention of calcium oxalate and uric acid stones.
- Making the urine less acidic (alkaline) when the doctor advises it, for example in gout or with some medicines.
- Oral solutions with Citric Acid: also used to ease the burning feeling of a mild bladder infection, though they do not treat the infection itself.
How It Works
Potassium citrate is changed in the body to bicarbonate, which makes the urine less acidic. It also raises the amount of citrate in the urine. Citrate binds calcium and stops crystals from joining together into stones, and less acidic urine keeps uric acid dissolved.
Dosage and Administration
- Tablets (adults): commonly 1080 mg (10 mEq) 2 or 3 times a day with meals, or as prescribed. The doctor adjusts the dose using urine and blood tests.
- Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water during or just after a meal. Do not crush, chew or suck them.
- Oral solution: dilute the measured dose in a glass of water and take after meals, as prescribed or as stated on the label.
Drink plenty of fluids through the day unless the doctor advises otherwise. Children: only as prescribed.
Interactions
- Spironolactone, Amiloride, Triamterene, ACE inhibitors (such as Enalapril), ARBs (such as Losartan), potassium supplements and salt substitutes: risk of dangerously high blood potassium.
- NSAIDs such as Diclofenac or Ibuprofen can also raise potassium and affect the kidneys.
- Medicines that slow the gut, such as anticholinergics, increase the chance of the tablet irritating the stomach.
- Aluminium-containing antacids: citrate increases aluminium absorption; keep them apart.
Contraindications
- High blood potassium, or conditions that cause it, such as kidney failure, Addison's disease or severe dehydration.
- Tablets: active stomach ulcer, narrowing of the food pipe or slow stomach emptying.
- Active urinary infection with stone-forming bacteria.
Side Effects
Common: stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and loose stools. Taking it with food helps.
Get urgent medical help for black or bloody stools, vomiting blood or severe stomach pain (signs of stomach damage), or for muscle weakness, tingling or numbness, a slow or irregular heartbeat or confusion (signs of high potassium).
Pregnancy and Lactation
Potassium citrate is not expected to harm the baby when used at the doses the doctor recommends. Potassium is a normal part of breast milk, and normal doses are considered acceptable while breastfeeding.
Precautions and Warnings
The doctor will check blood potassium, kidney function and urine tests regularly. Tell the doctor if you have kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes or a stomach ulcer. A tablet shell may sometimes be seen in the stool; this is normal. Do not take extra potassium supplements without advice.
Overdose
An overdose can cause dangerously high blood potassium, with muscle weakness, an irregular heartbeat and collapse. This is an emergency: go to hospital at once.
Therapeutic Class
Urinary alkaliniser; potassium salt.
Storage
Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children. Keep the bottle tightly closed.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.
All brands of Potassium Citrate