Potassium Citrate

Potassium citrate is a form of the mineral potassium used to treat a kidney stone condition called renal tubular acidosis.

Potassium citrate is available under the following different brand names: Urocit K.

Dosage Forms and Strengths

Tablet, extended-release

• 5 mEq
• 10 mEq
• 15 mEq

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Alkalinizing Agent

• Urinary citrate less than 150 mg/day: 60 mEq/day orally (20 mEq with each meal) OR
• Urinary citrate greater than 150 mg/day: 30 mEq/day orally (10 mEq with each meal)
• Maintenance
  • Titrate dose to achieve urinary citrate 320-640 mg/day and urinary pH 6.0-7.0 (maximum dose 100 mEq/day)

Other Indications and Uses

• Alkalinizing agent for maintaining long-term alkaline urine, alkalinizing agent for correcting acidosis of certain renal tubular disorders
• Management of renal tubular acidosis with calcium stones, hypocitraturic calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis, uric acid lithiasis
• Pediatric: Safety and efficacy not established

Common side effects of potassium_citrate include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain or upset
• The appearance of a potassium citrate tablet in your stool

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 Citrate has no known severe interactions with other drugs.
• Serious Interactions of potassium citrate include:
  • drospirenone
  • potassium acid phosphate
  • potassium chloride
  • potassium phosphates, IV
  • spironolactone
  • triamterene
• Potassium citrate has moderate interactions with at least 97 different drugs.
• Potassium citrate has mild interactions with at least 29 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 citrate. Do not take Urocit K if you are allergic to potassium citrate 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, hyperkalemia, Addison's disease, anuria, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, acute dehydration, adrenal insufficiency, renal insufficiency (GFR less than 0.7ml/kg/min)
• Delayed gastric emptying, esophageal compression, gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction, concomitant anticholinergic prescription, peptic ulcer disease, active urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Concomitant potassium-sparing agents (e.g., triamterene, spironolactone, amiloride)

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available

Short-Term Effects

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

Long-Term Effects

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

Cautions

• Large doses may cause hyperkalemia and alkalosis, especially in renal impairment.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Potassium citrate is generally acceptable for use during pregnancy. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
• Potassium citrate is considered safe for use while breastfeeding.