Potassium Chloride

Indications & Dose:

Prevention of hypokalaemia (patients with normal diet)

• BY MOUTH

Adult: 2–4 g daily in divided doses

Electrolyte imbalance

• BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION

 Adult: Dose dependent on deficit or the daily maintenance requirements
BY Syp:
Adults:  Usual dose: 15ml diluted in a full glass of water, after meals; larger doses if required.
Children: (Dosage depends on body weight) 5ml diluted in a glass of water per day. 

Contraindications:

Severe renal impairment, untreated Addison’s disease, hyperkalemia from any cause, acute dehydration, heat cramps, patients receiving potassium-sparing diuretics or aldosterone inhibiting agents. 

Side Effects:

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulance and abdominal discomfort, hyperkalemia, GI obstruction, bleeding ulceration or perforation. 

Cautions:

Precautions:

Some of these products contain tartazine, which may cause allergic type reactions. Monitoring: When blood is drawn for analysis of plasma potassium, artificial elevations can occur due to improper venipuncture technique or invitro haemolysis of the samples. Cardiac  disease, renal disease or acidosis require careful attention to acidbase balance and monitoring of serum electrolytes, ECG and clinical status of the patients.

Pregnancy: Give only if clearly indicated.
Breast-feeding: Use with caution. 

Interaction:

Drugs
ACE inhibitors: Results in elevated serum potassium concentration.

Potassium sparing diuretics: Severe hyperkalaemia.

Digitalis: Use caution in discontinuing a potassium preparation in patients on digoxin therapy since resultant hypokalemia may cause digoxin toxicity. 

Warnings:

Adverse Effects:

Lactations:

Special Precautions:

Counselling:

Side Effects Or Adverse Reactions:

Patient And Carer Advice: