General MedicationsORALHigh Alert

POTASSIUM CHLORIDE

POTASSIUM CHLORIDE ORAL

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 to 100 mEq/day 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 to 4 mEq/kg/day 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 per day ( 2.2 ) Pediatric patients aged birth to 16 years old: typical dose is 1 mEq/kg/day. 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 the potassium chloride oral solution with at least 4 ounces of cold water [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . 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 ranges from 40 to 100 mEq. 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. 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 to 4 mEq/kg/day in divided doses; do not exceed as a single dose 1 mEq/kg or 40 mEq, whichever is lower; maximum daily doses should not exceed 100 mEq. 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. Do not exceed 3 mEq/kg/day.

Max Dose

See official label

Primary Use

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Potassium chloride oral solution 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

Potassium chloride 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 to 100 mEq/day in 2 to 5 divided doses: limit doses to 40 mEq per dose.

Structured Monograph

Clinical summary

Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Potassium chloride oral solution 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. Potassium chloride 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 to 100 mEq/day 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 to 4 mEq/kg/day 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 per day ( 2.2 ) Pediatric patients aged birth to 16 years old: typical dose is 1 mEq/kg/day. 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 the potassium chloride oral solution with at least 4 ounces of cold water [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . 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 ranges from 40 to 100 mEq. 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. 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 to 4 mEq/kg/day in divided doses; do not exceed as a single dose 1 mEq/kg or 40 mEq, whichever is lower; maximum daily doses should not exceed 100 mEq. 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. 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 synthesis of prostaglandin E and impairing the renin‑angiotensin system. Closely monitor potassium in patients on concomitant NSAIDs. Pregnancy 8.1 Pregnancy There are no human data related to use of potassium chloride during pregnancy, and animal studies have not been conducted. Potassium supplementation that does not lead

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.