General MedicationsORALHigh Alert

POKONZA potassium chloride

POTASSIUM CHLORIDE

Standard Dose

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Dilute prior to administration. ( 2.1 , 5.1 ) Monitor serum potassium and adjust dosage accordingly ( 2.2 , 2.3 ) Treatment of hypokalemia: Adults: Initial doses range from 40 mEq to 100 mEq/day orally in 2 to 5 divided doses: limit doses to 40 mEq per dose. Total daily dose should not exceed 200 mEq ( 2.2 ) Pediatric patients aged birth to 16 years old: 2 mEq to 4 mEq/kg/day orally in divided doses; not to exceed 1 mEq/kg as a single dose or 40 mEq whichever is lower; if deficits are severe or ongoing losses are great, consider intravenous therapy. Total daily dose should not exceed 100 mEq ( 2.3 ) Maintenance or Prophylaxis of hypokalemia: Adults: Typical dose is 20 mEq orally per day ( 2.2 ) Pediatric patients aged birth to 16 years old: typical dose is 1 mEq/kg/day orally. Do not exceed 3 mEq/kg/day ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Administration and Monitoring Monitoring Monitor serum potassium and adjust dosages accordingly. For treatment of hypokalemia, monitor potassium levels daily or more often depending on the severity of hypokalemia until they return to normal. Monitor potassium levels monthly to biannually for maintenance or prophylaxis. The treatment of potassium depletion, particularly in the presence of cardiac disease, renal disease, or acidosis requires careful attention to acid-base balance, volume status, electrolytes, including magnesium, sodium, chloride, phosphate, and calcium, electrocardiograms and the clinical status of the patient. Correct volume status, acid-base balance and electrolyte deficits as appropriate. Administration Dilute POKONZA ® with at least 4 ounces of cold water [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Instruct patients or caregivers to use an oral dosing cup or syringe to correctly measure the prescribed amount of medication. Inform patients that oral dosing cups or syringes may be obtained from their pharmacy. Take with meals or immediately after eating. If serum potassium concentration is <2.5 mEq/L, use intravenous potassium instead of oral supplementation. 2.2 Adult Dosing Treatment of hypokalemia Daily dose range from 40 mEq to 100 mEq orally. Give in 2 to 5 divided doses; limit doses to 40 mEq per dose. The total daily dose should not exceed 200 mEq in a 24 hour period. Maintenance or Prophylaxis Typical dose is 20 mEq per day orally. Individualize dose based upon serum potassium levels. Studies support the use of potassium replacement in digitalis toxicity. When alkalosis is present, normokalemia and hyperkalemia may obscure a total potassium deficit. The advisability of use of potassium replacement in the setting of hyperkalemia is uncertain. 2.3 Pediatric Dosing Treatment of hypokalemia Pediatric patients aged birth to 16 years old: The initial dose is 2 mEq/kg/day to 4 mEq/kg/day orally in divided doses; do not exceed as a single dose 1 mEq/kg or 40 mEq orally, whichever is lower; maximum daily doses should not exceed 100 mEq orally. If deficits are severe or ongoing losses are great, consider intravenous therapy. Maintenance or Prophylaxis Pediatric patients aged birth to 16 years old: Typical dose is 1 mEq/kg/day orally. Do not exceed 3 mEq/kg/day.

Max Dose

See official label

Primary Use

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE POKONZA ® (Potassium Chloride Oral Solution, USP) is indicated for the treatment and prophylaxis of hypokalemia with or without metabolic alkalosis, in patients for whom dietary management with potassium-rich foods or diuretic dose reduction are insufficient.

Summary

POKONZA ® (Potassium Chloride Oral Solution, USP) is indicated for the treatment and prophylaxis of hypokalemia with or without metabolic alkalosis, in patients for whom dietary management with potassium-rich foods or diuretic dose reduction are insufficient. ( 1 ) Dosage and administration 2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Dilute prior to administration. ( 2.1 , 5.1 ) Monitor serum potassium and adjust dosage accordingly ( 2.2 , 2.3 ) Treatment of hypokalemia: Adults: Initial doses range from 40 mEq to 100 mEq/day orally in 2 to 5 divided doses: limit doses to 40 mEq per dose.

Structured Monograph

Clinical summary

Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE POKONZA ® (Potassium Chloride Oral Solution, USP) is indicated for the treatment and prophylaxis of hypokalemia with or without metabolic alkalosis, in patients for whom dietary management with potassium-rich foods or diuretic dose reduction are insufficient. POKONZA ® (Potassium Chloride Oral Solution, USP) is indicated for the treatment and prophylaxis of hypokalemia with or without metabolic alkalosis, in patients for whom dietary management with potassium-rich foods or diuretic dose reduction are insufficient. ( 1 ) Dosage and administration 2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Dilute prior to administration. ( 2.1 , 5.1 ) Monitor serum potassium and adjust dosage accordingly ( 2.2 , 2.3 ) Treatment of hypokalemia: Adults: Initial doses range from 40 mEq to 100 mEq/day orally in 2 to 5 divided doses: limit doses to 40 mEq per dose. Total daily dose should not exceed 200 mEq ( 2.2 ) Pediatric patients aged birth to 16 years old: 2 mEq to 4 mEq/kg/day orally in divided doses; not to exceed 1 mEq/kg as a single dose or 40 mEq whichever is lower; if deficits are severe or ongoing losses are great, consider intravenous therapy. Total daily dose should not exceed 100 mEq ( 2.3 ) Maintenance or Prophylaxis of hypokalemia: Adults: Typical dose is 20 mEq orally per day ( 2.2 ) Pediatric patients aged birth to 16 years old: typical dose is 1 mEq/kg/day orally. Do not exceed 3 mEq/kg/day ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Administration and Monitoring Monitoring Monitor serum potassium and adjust dosages accordingly. For treatment of hypokalemia, monitor potassium levels daily or more often depending on the severity of hypokalemia until they return to normal. Monitor potassium levels monthly to biannually for maintenance or prophylaxis. The treatment of potassium depletion, particularly in the presence of cardiac disease, renal disease, or acidosis requires careful attention to acid-base balance, volume status, electrolytes, including magnesium, sodium, chloride, phosphate, and calcium, electrocardiograms and the clinical status of the patient. Correct volume status, acid-base balance and electrolyte deficits as appropriate. Administration Dilute POKONZA ® with at least 4 ounces of cold water [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Instruct patients or caregivers to use an oral dosing cup or syringe to correctly measure the prescribed amount of medication. Inform patients that oral dosing cups or syringes may be obtained from their pharmacy. Take with meals or immediately after eating. If serum potassium concentration is <2.5 mEq/L, use intravenous potassium instead of oral supplementation. 2.2 Adult Dosing Treatment of hypokalemia Daily dose range from 40 mEq to 100 mEq orally. Give in 2 to 5 divided doses; limit doses to 40 mEq per dose. The total daily dose should not exceed 200 mEq in a 24 hour period. Maintenance or Prophylaxis Typical dose is 20 mEq per day orally. Individualize dose based upon serum potassium levels. Studies support the use of potassium replacement in digitalis toxicity. When alkalosis is present, normokalemia and hyperkalemia may obscure a total potassium deficit. The advisability of use of potassium replacement in the setting of hyperkalemia is uncertain. 2.3 Pediatric Dosing Treatment of hypokalemia Pediatric patients aged birth to 16 years old: The initial dose is 2 mEq/kg/day to 4 mEq/kg/day orally in divided doses; do not exceed as a single dose 1 mEq/kg or 40 mEq orally, whichever is lower; maximum daily doses should not exceed 100 mEq orally. If deficits are severe or ongoing losses are great, consider intravenous therapy. Maintenance or Prophylaxis Pediatric patients aged birth to 16 years old: Typical dose is 1 mEq/kg/day orally. Do not exceed 3 mEq/kg/day. Warnings and cautions 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Gastrointestinal Irritation : Dilute before use, take with meals ( 5.1 ) 5.1 Gastrointestinal Irritation May cause gastrointestinal irritation if administered undiluted. Increased dilution of the solution and taking with meals may reduce gastrointestinal irritation [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . Drug interactions 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Potassium sparing diuretics: Avoid concomitant use ( 7.1 ) Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors: Monitor for hyperkalemia ( 7.2 ) Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs: Monitor for hyperkalemia ( 7.3 ) 7.1 Potassium-Sparing Diuretics Use with potassium-sparing diuretics can produce severe hyperkalemia. Avoid concomitant use. 7.2 Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitors Drugs that inhibit the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) including angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), spironolactone, eplerenone, or aliskiren produce potassium retention by inhibiting aldosterone production. Closely monitor potassium in patients receiving concomitant RAAS therapy. 7.3 Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) NSAIDs may produce potassium retention by reducing renal syn

Monitoring

• 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Gastrointestinal Irritation : Dilute before use, take with meals ( 5.1 ) 5.1 Gastrointestinal Irritation May cause gastrointestinal irritation if administered undiluted.
• Increased dilution of the solution and taking with meals may reduce gastrointestinal irritation [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] .

Interaction Notes

• 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Potassium sparing diuretics: Avoid concomitant use ( 7.1 ) Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors: Monitor for hyperkalemia ( 7.2 ) Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs: Monitor for hyperkalemia ( 7.3 ) 7.1 Potassium-Sparing Diuretics Use with potassium-sparing diuretics can produce severe hyperkalemia.
• Avoid concomitant use.
• 7.2 Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitors Drugs that inhibit the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) including angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), spironolactone, eplerenone, or aliskiren produce potassium retention by inhibiting aldosterone production.
• Closely monitor potassium in patients receiving concomitant RAAS therapy.