KT

POTASSIUM CHLORIDE

Potassium chloride is indicated in drug induced hypokalemia, liver cirrhosis, nausea, vomiting, cholera, diarrhoea, muscular weakness, paralysis, cardiac and congestive heart failure, diabetic ketoacidosis, ulcerative colitis, weakness, anorexia, drowsiness, Cushing's syndrome, pyloric stenosis, low blood pressure etc.

Electrolytes preparations, Oral electrolytes preparations

Potassium chloride is a major cation of the intracellular fluid. It plays an active role in the conduction of nerve impulses in the heart, brain and skeletal muscle; contraction of cardiac skeletal and smooth muscles; maintenance of normal renal function, acid-base balance, carbohydrate metabolism and gastric secretion.

Oral: Dosage must be adjusted to the individual needs of each patient. Adults: In severe deficiencies 3-6 tablets or 4-8 teaspoonful or 25-50 mmol per day orally in divided doses for some days with fruit juice, sweet or plain water. Children: 8-1 teaspoonful twice daily or 1-3 mmol/kg body weight a day in several divided doses. Patient should take Potassium chloride with meals. Intravenous: Severe acute hypokalaemia: Adult: If serum potassium level >2.5 mEq/L, give at a rate not exceeding 10 mEq/hr in a concentration of up to 40 mEq/L. Max dose: 200 mEq/24 hr. If serum potassium level <2 mEq/L, may infuse at a rate of up to 40 mEq/hr. Continuous cardiac monitoring is essential. Max dose: 400 mEq/24 hr. 75 mg KCl equivalent to 1 mmol K+

Potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ciclosporin and potassium-containing drugs. Antimuscarinics delay gastric emptying time consequently increasing risk of GI adverse effects esp of solid oral dosage forms.

Hyperchloraemia, severe renal or adrenal insufficiency.

GI ulceration (sometimes with haemorrhage and perforation or with late formation of strictures) following the use of enteric-coated K chloride preparation; hyperkalaemia. Oral: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. IV: Pain or phloebitis; cardiac toxicity.

Category C: Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the foetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus.

Renal or adrenocortical insufficiency; cardiac disease; acute dehydration; extensive tissue destruction. Pregnancy. Ensure adequate urine output; monitor plasma-potassium and other electrolyte concentrations. Discontinue treatment if severe nausea, vomiting or abdominal distress develops. Accumulation of potassium may occur in renal impairment.

Intravenous: Store at 15-308 C. Oral: Store below 308 C.