Potassium Chloride

What it is and how it works

Potassium is the principal intracellular cation and is essential for nerve conduction, cardiac and skeletal muscle function and acid–base balance. Potassium chloride replaces potassium and chloride, correcting hypokalaemia and hypochloraemic alkalosis.

Indications

Prevention and treatment of hypokalaemia (e.g. with diuretics, corticosteroids, vomiting or diarrhoea); concentrated injection for addition to intravenous fluids in patients who cannot take oral potassium.

Dosage and administration (summary)

Oral: typically 2–4 g (about 25–50 mmol) daily in divided doses for prevention, higher for treatment, guided by serum potassium. Intravenous: must be diluted and given by slow controlled infusion, usually not exceeding 10–20 mmol/hour except in monitored settings.

Contraindications

Hyperkalaemia, severe renal impairment, untreated Addison’s disease and conditions with impaired potassium excretion; solid oral forms in oesophageal compression or delayed gastrointestinal transit.

Warnings and precautions

Monitor serum potassium and renal function; use with caution with potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Concentrated potassium chloride injection must never be given undiluted or by rapid injection, as this can cause fatal cardiac arrest; modified-release tablets may cause gastrointestinal ulceration.

Pregnancy

May be used in pregnancy when needed to correct potassium deficiency.

Storage and supply

Store below 25 °C.

Source: reference summary prepared from the EU SmPC/EPAR, BNF and WHO Model Formulary. The approved product information in Iran governs.