General Information and Indications:
Potassium is essential for the proper
functioning of the heart, kidneys, muscles, nerves, and digestive system.
Usually the food you eat supplies all of the potassium you need. However,
certain diseases (e.g., kidney disease and gastrointestinal disease with
vomiting and diarrhea) and drugs, especially diuretics ('water pills'),
remove potassium from the body. Potassium supplements are taken to replace
potassium losses and prevent potassium deficiency.
Information For Users:
Potassium comes in oral liquid, powder, granules,
effervescent tablets, regular tablets, extended-release (long-acting)
tablets, and extended-release capsules. It is usually taken two to four
times a day, with or immediately after meals. Follow the directions on your
prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions.
Take potassium exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take
it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.
Take all forms of potassium with a full glass of water or fruit juice.
Add the liquid to water. Dissolve the powder, granules, or effervescent
tablets in cold water or fruit juice according to the manufacturer's
directions or the directions on your prescription label; mix the drug well
just before you take it. Cold liquids help mask the unpleasant taste.
Swallow extended-release tablets and capsules whole. Do not chew them or
dissolve them in your mouth.
special precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to potassium or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitors such as captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec),and lisinopril (Prinivil,
Zestril); diuretics ('water pills'); and vitamins. Do not take potassium if
you are taking amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), or
triamterene (Dyrenium).
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding heart, kidney, or Addison's
(adrenal gland) disease.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking potassium, call your
doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking potassium.
If you are using a salt substitute, Inform your doctor. Many salt
substitutes contain potassium. Your doctor will consider this source in
determining your dose of potassium supplement. Your doctor may advise you to
use a potassium-containing salt substitute and to eat potassium-rich foods
(e.g., bananas, prunes, raisins, and milk).
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Though adverse effects of potassium are not
common, they could occur. Inform your doctor if any of the following
symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o upset stomach
o vomiting
o diarrhea
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:
o mental confusion
o listlessness
o tingling, prickling, burning, tight, or pulling sensation of arms, hands,
legs, or feet
o heaviness or weakness of legs
o cold, pale, gray skin
o stomach pain
o unusual stomach bulging
o black stools
Possible Symptoms
of Overdose:
o severe upset stomach and vomiting
o severe stomach pain
o bloating
o severe drowsiness
o palpitations
o swelling
o rash
o loss of appetite (anorexia)
o dryness of the skin, nose, or mouth,
o difficulty breathing
o convulsions
Brand Name(s):
o Glu-K®
o K+ 10®
o K+ 8®
o K+ Care®
o K+ Care® Effervescent Tablets
o Kaochlor® 10%
o Kaon® Elixir
o Kaon-Cl® 20% Elixir
o Kaon-Cl-10®
o Kay Ciel®
o K-Dur® 10
o K-Dur® 20
o K-Lor®
o Klor-Con® 10
o Klor-Con® 8
o Klor-Con® Powder
o Klor-Con®/25 Powder
o Klor-Con®/EF
o Klotrix®
o K-Lyte/CL® 50 Effervescent Tablets
o K-Lyte/CL® Effervescent Tablets
o K-Lyte® DS Effervescent Tablets
o K-Lyte® Effervescent Tablets
o K-Tab® Filmtab®
o Micro-K®
o Potassium Acetate Injection MaxiVial®
o Quic-K®
o Rum-K®
o Slow-K®
o Tri-K®
o Twin-K®
Other Name(s):
o KCl
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