Potassium Chloride

Potassium chloride is used to treat and prevent low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia).

• Potassium chloride is available under the following different brand and other names: KDur, Slow K, Kaon Cl 10, KCl, K10, Klor-Con M, Klor Con M10, Klor Con M15, Klor Con M20, KlorCon, Klotrix, KTab, MicroK, and K8.

Dosage Forms and Strengths

Tablet

• 20 mEq

Tablet, extended-release

• 8 mEq
• 10 mEq
• 15 mEq
• 20 mEq

Capsules, extended-release

• 8 mEq
• 10 mEq

Injectable solution

• 1 mEq/mL
• 1.5 mEq/mL
• 2 mEq/mL
• 3 mEq/mL
• 4 mEq/mL

Premix IV in plastic container

• 10 mEq
• 20 mEq
• 30 mEq
• 40 mEq

Hypokalemia

• Adult: 20-40 mEq orally two to three times daily
• Pediatric: 0.5-2 mEq/kg orally every 12 hours
• Monitor closely: 0.5 mEq/kg/hour IV for 1-2 hours

Hypokalemia Prophylaxis

• Start: 20 mEq orally once/day

Dosing considerations

• Dosing varies; adjust to serum potassium levels

Common side effects of potassium_chloride include:

• Arrhythmias
• Bleeding
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion
• High blood potassium (hyperkalemia)
• Nausea
• Rash
• Vomiting

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects may occur. Call your doctor for information and medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication for your condition, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions or side effects and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of this medicine or any medicine before getting further information from your doctor, healthcare provider, or pharmacist first.

• Potassium Chloride has no known severe interactions with other drugs.
• Serious Interactions of potassium chloride include:
  • amiloride
  • drospirenone
  • eplerenone
  • oxybutynin
  • potassium acid phosphate
  • potassium citrate
  • potassium phosphates, IV
  • spironolactone
  • triamterene
• Potassium chloride has moderate interactions with at least 109 different drugs.
• Potassium chloride has mild interactions with at least 32 different drugs.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Warnings

• This medication contains potassium chloride. Do not take KDur, Slow K, Kaon Cl 10, KCl, K10, Klor-Con M, Klor Con M10, Klor Con M15, Klor Con M20, KlorCon, Klotrix, KTab, MicroK, or K8 if you are allergic to potassium chloride or any ingredients contained in this drug.
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• Untreated Addison disease
• Hyperkalemia
• Renal failure

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Potassium Chloride?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Potassium Chloride?"

Cautions

• Cardiovascular disease
• Impaired renal function

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use potassium chloride during pregnancy with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies are not available, or neither animal nor human studies were done.
• No information is available about the use of potassium chloride while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor.