potassium salts

(po tass' ee um)

potassium acetate

potassium chloride
Oral:
Apo-K (CAN), Cena-K, Effer-K, Gen-K, Kaon-Cl, Kay Ciel, Kaylixir, K-Dur 10,
K-Dur 20, K-Lease, K-Lor, K-Norm, K-Tab, Klor-Con, Klorvess, Klotrix, K-
Lyte/Cl, Kolyum, K + 8, K + 10, K+ Care ET, Micro-K Extentabs, Potasalan,
Roychlor (CAN), Rum-K, Slow-K, Ten K
Injection:
Potassium Chloride

potassium gluconate
Kaon, K-G Elixir, Kolyum, Tri-K, Twin-K

Pregnancy Category C

Drug class
Electrolyte

Therapeutic actions
Principal intracellular cation of most body tissues, participates in a number of physiologic
processes—maintaining intracellular tonicity, transmission of nerve impulses, contraction
of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle, maintenance of normal renal function; also plays
a role in carbohydrate metabolism and various enzymatic reactions.

Indications
• Prevention and correction of potassium deficiency; when associated with
alkalosis, use potassium chloride; when associated with acidosis, use potassium
acetate, bicarbonate, citrate, or gluconate
• IV: Treatment of cardiac arrhythmias due to cardiac glycosides

Contraindications and cautions

• Contraindicated with allergy to tartrazine, aspirin (tartrazine is found in some
preparations marketed as Kaon-Cl, Klor-Con); severe renal impairment with
oliguria, anuria, azotemia; untreated Addison's disease; hyperkalemia; adynamia
episodica hereditaria; acute dehydration; heat cramps; GI disorders that delay
passage in the GI tract.
• Use cautiously with cardiac disorders, especially if treated with digitalis,
pregnancy, lactation.

Available forms
Liquids—20, 30, 40, 45 mEq/15 mL; powders—15, 20, 25 mEq/packet; effervescent
tablets—20, 25, 50 mEq; CR tablets—6, 7, 8, 10, 20 mEq; CR capsules—8, 10 mEq;
tablets—500, 595 mg; injection—2, 4, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 90 mEq

Dosages
Individualize dosage based on patient response using serial ECG and electrolyte
determinations in severe cases.
ADULTS
Oral
• Prevention of hypokalemia: 16–24 mEq/day PO.
• Treatment of potassium depletion: 40–100 mEq/day PO.
IV
Do not administer undiluted. Dilute in dextrose solution to 40–80 mEq/L. Use the
following as a guide to administration:
Serum K+ Maximum Infusion Rate Maximum Concentration Maximum 24-hr Dose
> 2.6 mEq/L 10 mEq/hr 40 mEq/L 200 mEq
< 2 mEq/L 40 mEq/hr 80 mEq/L 400 mEq
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
• Replacement: 3 mEq/kg/day or 40 mg/m2/day PO or IV.
GERIATRIC PATIENTS OR PATIENTS WITH RENAL IMPAIRMENT
Carefully monitor serum potassium concentration and reduce dosage appropriately.

Pharmacokinetics
Route Onset Peak
Oral Slow 1–2 hr
IV Rapid End of
infusion

Metabolism: Cellular; T1/2: Unknown

Distribution: Crosses placenta; enters breast milk
Excretion: Urine

IV facts
Preparation: Do not administer undiluted potassium IV; dilute in dextrose solution to
40–80 mEq/L; in critical states, potassium chloride can be administered in saline.
Infusion: Adjust dosage based on patient response at a maximum of 10 mEq/L.
Incompatibilities: Do not mix with amphotericin B.
Y-site incompatibilities: Do not give with diazepam, ergotamine, phenytoin.

Adverse effects
• Dermatologic: Rash
• GI: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, GI obstruction, GI
bleeding, GI ulceration or perforation
• Hematologic: Hyperkalemia—increased serum K+, ECG changes (peaking of T
waves, loss of P waves, depression of ST segment, prolongation of QTc interval)
• Local: Tissue sloughing, local necrosis, local phlebitis, and venospasm with
injection
Interactions
Drug-drug
• Increased risk of hyperkalemia with potassium-sparing diuretics, salt substitutes
using potassium

Nursing considerations
Assessment
• History: Allergy to tartrazine, aspirin; severe renal impairment; untreated
Addison's disease; hyperkalemia; adynamia episodica hereditaria; acute
dehydration; heat cramps, GI disorders that cause delay in passage in the GI tract,
cardiac disorders, lactation
• Physical: Skin color, lesions, turgor; injection sites; P, baseline ECG; bowel
sounds, abdominal exam; urinary output; serum electrolytes, serum bicarbonate

Interventions
• Arrange for serial serum potassium levels before and during therapy.
• Administer liquid form to any patient with delayed GI emptying.
• Administer oral drug after meals or with food and a full glass of water to decrease
GI upset.
• Caution patient not to chew or crush tablets; have patient swallow tablet whole.
• Mix or dissolve oral liquids, soluble powders, and effervescent tablets completely
in 3–8 oz of cold water, juice, or other suitable beverage, and have patient drink it
slowly.
• Arrange for further dilution or dose reduction if GI effects are severe.
• Agitate prepared IV solution to prevent "layering" of potassium; do not add
potassium to an IV bottle in the hanging position.
• Monitor IV injection sites regularly for necrosis, tissue sloughing, phlebitis.
• Monitor cardiac rhythm carefully during IV administration.
• Caution patient that expended wax matrix capsules will be found in the stool.
• Caution patient not to use salt substitutes.

Teaching points
• Take drug after meals or with food and a full glass of water to decrease GI upset.
Do not chew or crush tablets, swallow tablets whole. Mix or dissolve oral liquids,
soluble powders, and effervescent tablets completely in 3–8 oz of cold water,
juice, or other suitable beverage, and drink it slowly. Take the drug as prescribed;
do not take more than prescribed.
• Do not use salt substitutes.
• You may find wax matrix capsules in the stool. The wax matrix is not absorbed in
the GI tract.
• Have periodic blood tests and medical evaluation.
• These side effects may occur: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (taking the drugs with
meals, diluting them further may help).
 • Report tingling of the hands or feet, unusual tiredness or weakness, feeling of
heaviness in the legs, severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, black or tarry
stools, pain at IV injection site.

Adverse effects in Italic are most common; those in Bold are life-threatening.