Potassium Chloride Concentrated

What it is and how it works

Potassium is the principal intracellular cation and is essential for maintaining membrane potential, nerve conduction, cardiac and skeletal muscle function and acid–base balance. Intravenous potassium chloride replaces potassium and chloride in deficiency states.

Indications

Treatment and prevention of potassium deficiency (hypokalaemia) when oral replacement is not possible or inadequate, and as an additive to intravenous fluids.

Dosage and administration (summary)

Dosing is individualised according to plasma potassium and clinical condition. The concentrate must always be diluted before use and given by slow intravenous infusion; infusion rates usually should not exceed 10 mmol/hour, with higher rates only in severe deficiency under specialist supervision and continuous ECG monitoring.

Contraindications

Hyperkalaemia, severe renal impairment with oliguria or anuria, untreated Addison’s disease and conditions predisposing to hyperkalaemia.

Warnings and precautions

Concentrated potassium chloride is a high-alert medicine: undiluted or rapid injection can cause fatal cardiac arrest, so it must never be given as a bolus and should be stored separately from other ampoules. Plasma potassium, renal function and ECG should be monitored; use with caution with potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Extravasation can cause tissue necrosis.

Pregnancy

May be used in pregnancy when clinically indicated, with monitoring of plasma potassium.

Storage and supply

Store below 25 °C; do not freeze. Store segregated and clearly labelled as concentrated potassium.

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