Composition
Syp: Per 15 ml: Potassium chloride 40 mEq. Tab 500 mg/600 mg/750 mg: Potassium chloride 500 mg (6.66 mEq)/600 mg (7.99 mEq)/750 mg. Inj: Potassium chloride 15% (150 mg, approximately 2 mmol e
Indications & Dosage
Prevention of hypokalaemia (patients with normal diet): ORAL: Adults: 20-40 mEq/day in 1-2 divided doses. Children: 1-2 mEq/day in 1-2 divided doses. Dosage requires closed monitoring via lab test. Treatment of hypokalaemia: ORAL: Adults: Potassium less than 2.5 mEq/L: initial dose60-80 mEq/day, followed by further dose as per requirement. Potassium more than 2.5 mEq/L: initial dose40-60 mEq/day , followed by further dose as per requirement. Children: 1-2 mEq/kg initially, followed by further dose as per requirement. Electrolyte imbalance: By IV INF: Adult: Dose dependent on deficit or the daily maintenance requirements of potassium.
Administration
For IV infusion content to be diluted with not less than 50 times volume of sodium chloride IV infusion 0.9% or other suitable diluent and mixed well. The rate of infusion depends on serum potassium level.
Compatibility
Stable in dextran 6% in dextrose, dextran 6% in NS, D5LR, D5IANS, D51/2NS, D5NS, D5W, D1OW, D20W, LR, Y2NS, NS, sodium chloride 3%. Stability: Store at room temperature. Protect from freezing, use only clear solutions. Use admixture within 24 hrs
Contraindications
Plasma-potassium concentration above 5 mmol/litre. Avoid in severe impairment. Close monitoring required in renal impairment-high risk of hyperkalaemia. Acute dehydration, conditions predisposing to hyperkalaemia, gastric obstruction or ulceration, extensive tissue damage, metabolicacidosis.
Precautions
Potassium overdose can be fatal. Ready-mixed infusion solutions containing potassium should be used. If potassium chloride concentrate is used for preparing an infusion, the infusion solution should be thoroughly mixed. Should be used only under closed monitoring by lab tests, cardiac disease, with IV use ECG monitoring should be performed in difficult cases, elderly, intestinal stricture, history of peptic ulcer, hiatus hernia.
Interactions
Potassium-sparing diuretics, salt substitutes, ACE inhibitors.
Pregnancy
Controlled studies showed no risk.
Lactation
Caution advised
Side Effects
Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, heart toxicity, bleeding, gastrointestinal obstruction, ulceration.