K-CHLOR

Indications

Potassium chloride is used to prevent and treat low blood potassium (hypokalaemia). Low potassium can be caused by water tablets (diuretics), long-lasting vomiting or diarrhoea, some kidney and hormone conditions, and some other medicines. It is also an ingredient of oral rehydration salts.

How It Works

Potassium is a salt found mainly inside the body's cells. It is needed for the normal working of the heart, muscles and nerves. Potassium chloride replaces potassium that the body has lost.

Dosage and Administration

• By mouth, prevention (adults): commonly about 20 mmol a day, as prescribed.
• By mouth, treatment (adults): commonly 40 to 100 mmol a day in divided doses, adjusted according to blood tests, as prescribed.
• Children: dose by body weight, as prescribed.
• Injection: concentrated potassium must always be diluted and given slowly through a drip by a doctor or nurse in hospital. It must never be injected undiluted.

Take tablets or liquid with or after food and a full glass of water. Swallow slow-release tablets whole while sitting or standing; do not crush or chew them, and do not lie down straight after. Dissolve effervescent tablets fully before drinking.

Interactions

• Potassium can rise to a dangerous level with Spironolactone, Eplerenone, Amiloride, Triamterene, Enalapril, Ramipril, Losartan and similar blood pressure medicines, Trimethoprim, Ciclosporin, Tacrolimus, Heparin and painkillers such as Ibuprofen.
• Do not use potassium-containing salt substitutes at the same time.
• Medicines that slow the gut, such as some anticholinergic medicines, increase the risk of solid tablets damaging the gut lining.

Contraindications

• High blood potassium.
• Severe kidney failure.
• Untreated Addison's disease.
• Severe dehydration.
• Solid tablets: narrowing or blockage of the food pipe or gut.

Side Effects

Common: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, wind and diarrhoea, which are reduced by taking it with food.

Get urgent medical help for black stools, vomiting blood, severe stomach pain, chest pain or difficulty swallowing after a tablet, or signs of high potassium: muscle weakness, numbness or tingling, confusion, or a slow or irregular heartbeat.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Potassium chloride can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding when it is needed to correct low potassium, at the dose the doctor advises.

Precautions and Warnings

• Regular blood tests for potassium and kidney function are needed.
• Use with care in kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes and in older people.
• Do not take more than prescribed, and do not change the dose without blood test results.

Overdose

Too much potassium can cause muscle weakness, numbness, confusion and dangerous changes in heart rhythm that can stop the heart. This is an emergency: go to hospital straight away.

Therapeutic Class

Electrolyte replacement (potassium supplement).

Storage

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children. Keep effervescent tablets in their tightly closed tube.