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Potassium Supplements  (Systemic)

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Contents of this page:

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

  • Cena-K5
  • Effer-K4
  • Gen-K5
  • Glu-K6
  • K-85
  • K+ 105
  • Kaochlor 10%5
  • Kaochlor S-F 10%5
  • Kaon6
  • Kaon-Cl5
  • Kaon-Cl-105
  • Kaon-Cl 20% Liquid5
  • Kato5
  • Kay Ciel5
  • Kaylixir6
  • K+ Care5
  • K+ Care ET2
  • K-Dur5
  • K-Electrolyte2
  • K-G Elixir6
  • K-Ide3
  • K-Lease5
  • K-Lor5
  • Klor-Con 85
  • Klor-Con 105
  • Klor-Con/EF2
  • Klor-Con Powder5
  • Klor-Con/25 Powder5
  • Klorvess3
  • Klorvess Effervescent Granules3
  • Klorvess 10% Liquid5
  • Klotrix5
  • K-Lyte2
  • K-Lyte/Cl3
  • K-Lyte/Cl 503
  • K-Lyte/Cl Powder5
  • K-Lyte DS4
  • K-Norm5
  • Kolyum7
  • K-Sol5
  • K-Tab5
  • K-Vescent2
  • Micro-K5
  • Micro-K 105
  • Micro-K LS5
  • Potasalan5
  • Rum-K5
  • Slow-K5
  • Ten-K5
  • Tri-K9
  • Twin-K8

In Canada—

  • Apo-K5
  • K-105
  • Kalium Durules5
  • Kaochlor-105
  • Kaochlor-205
  • Kaon6
  • KCL 5%5
  • K-Dur5
  • K-Long5
  • K-Lor5
  • K-Lyte2
  • K-Lyte/Cl5
  • K-Med 9005
  • Micro-K5
  • Micro-K 105
  • Neo-K3
  • Potassium-Rougier6
  • Potassium-Sandoz3
  • Roychlor-10%5
  • Slow-K5

Note:

For quick reference, the following potassium supplements are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.

Another commonly used name for trikates is potassium triplex.

This information applies to the following:
1.  Potassium Acetate (poe-TAS-ee-um AS-a-tate)
2.  Potassium Bicarbonate (poe-TAS-ee-um bi-KAR-bo-nate)
3.  Potassium Bicarbonate and Potassium Chloride (poe-TAS-ee-um bi-KAR-bo-nate and poe-TAS-ee-um KLOR-ide)
4.  Potassium Bicarbonate and Potassium Citrate (poe-TAS-ee-um bi-KAR-bo-nate and poe-TAS-ee-um SIH-trayt)
5.  Potassium Chloride (poe-TAS-ee-um KLOR-ide)
6.  Potassium Gluconate (poe-TAS-ee-um GLOO-ko-nate)
7.  Potassium Gluconate and Potassium Chloride (poe-TAS-ee-um GLOO-ko-nate and poe-TAS-ee-um KLOR-ide)
8.  Potassium Gluconate and Potassium Citrate (poe-TAS-ee-um GLOO-ko-nate and poe-TAS-ee-um SIH-trayt)
9.  Trikates (TRI-kates)
‡  Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
§  Generic name product may be available in Canada
*  Not commercially available in the U.S.
†  Not commercially available in Canada

Category


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 potassium in their regular diet or have lost too much potassium because of illness or treatment with certain medicines.

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

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

Injectable potassium is administered only by or under the supervision of your doctor. Some forms of oral potassium may be available in stores without a prescription. Since too much potassium may cause health problems, you should take potassium supplements only if directed by your doctor. Potassium supplements are available with your doctor's prescription in the following dosage forms:


Importance of Diet

For good health, it is important that you eat a balanced and varied diet. Follow carefully any diet program your health care professional may recommend. For your specific dietary vitamin and/or mineral needs, ask your health care professional for a list of appropriate foods.The following table includes some potassium-rich foods.

Food (amount)Milligrams of potassiumMilliequivalents of potassium
Acorn squash, cooked (1 cup)89623
Potato with skin, baked (1 long) 84422
Spinach, cooked (1 cup)83821
Lentils, cooked (1 cup)731 19
Kidney beans, cooked (1 cup)71318
Split peas, cooked (1 cup)71018
White navy beans, cooked (1 cup) 66917
Butternut squash, cooked (1 cup)583 15
Watermelon (1/16)560 14
Raisins (½ cup) 55314
Yogurt, low-fat, plain (1 cup)53114
Orange juice, frozen (1 cup) 50313
Brussel sprouts, cooked (1 cup)49413
Zucchini, cooked, sliced (1 cup)456 12
Banana (medium)451 12
Collards, frozen, cooked (1 cup)42711
Cantaloupe (¼)41211
Milk, low-fat 1% (1 cup)3489
Broccoli, frozen, cooked (1 cup) 3329

The daily amount of potassium needed is defined in several different ways.

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:


Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. 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 or allergic reaction to potassium preparations. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Potassium supplements have not been shown to cause problems 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 comparing use of potassium supplements in children with use in other age groups, they are not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than they do in adults.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of potassium supplements in the elderly with use in other age groups, they are not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than they do in younger adults.

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

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking potassium supplements, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

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


Proper Use of This Medicine

For patients taking the liquid form of this medicine:

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

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

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

Take this medicine immediately after meals or with food 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 take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. This is especially important if you are also taking both diuretics (water pills) and digitalis medicines for your heart.

Dosing—

The dose of these single or combination medicines will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average dose of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

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

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine and remember within 2 hours, take the missed dose right away with food or liquids. Then go back to your regular dosing schedule. However, if you do not remember until later, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits to make sure the medicine is working properly and that possible side effects are avoided. Laboratory tests may be necessary.

Do not use salt substitutes, eat low-sodium foods, especially some breads and canned foods, or drink low-sodium milk unless you are 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, especially if you are out of condition and are taking any other medicine. Exercise and certain medicines may increase the amount of potassium in the blood.

Check with your doctor at once if you notice blackish stools or other signs of stomach or intestinal bleeding. This medicine may cause such a condition to become worse, especially when taken in tablet form.


Side Effects of This Medicine

Side Effects of This Medicine

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

Stop taking this medicine and check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

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

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

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

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


Revised: 07/11/1995

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