Potassium Chloride Liquid

P

Pronunciation: po-TAS-ee-um KLOR-ide
Generic Name: Potassium Chloride
Brand Name: Examples include Kaon and Rum-K
Potassium Chloride Liquid is used for:

Treating or preventing low potassium blood levels when the amount of potassium in the diet is inadequate. Low potassium levels may also be caused by some diseases, severe or prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, or certain medicines (eg, diuretics). Symptoms of low potassium levels include weakness, fatigue, or weakening of reflexes.

Potassium Chloride Liquid is an electrolyte that is needed for normal functioning of cells, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, kidney function, and acid-base balance.

Do NOT use Potassium Chloride Liquid if: you are allergic to any ingredient in Potassium Chloride Liquid you have a high potassium level you are taking a potassium-sparing diuretic (eg, triamterene)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Potassium Chloride Liquid:

Some medical conditions may interact with Potassium Chloride Liquid. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances if you have a high acidity of your body fluids (acidosis), adrenal gland problems, diarrhea, kidney problems, or severe burns if you are dehydrated

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Potassium Chloride Liquid. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Aldosterone blockers (eg, spironolactone), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), or potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, triamterene) because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Potassium Chloride Liquid may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Potassium Chloride Liquid:

Use Potassium Chloride Liquid as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Potassium Chloride Liquid may cause stomach upset. Take Potassium Chloride Liquid by mouth with food or after meals. The liquid must be diluted before using. The package label will advise the minimum amount (eg, 4 oz) of cold water, juice, or other beverage to mix with the liquid. After thoroughly mixing, drink slowly over a 5- to 10-minute period. Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking Potassium Chloride Liquid. If you miss a dose of Potassium Chloride Liquid, take it if you remember within 2 hours. If it is more than 2 hours since your missed dose, skip it and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Potassium Chloride Liquid.

Important safety information: Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it. Too much or too little potassium can adversely affect the heart. Be sure that your doctor and pharmacist are aware of any heart medications you are taking. This product may contain tartrazine dye (FD&C Yellow No. 5). This may cause an allergic reaction in some patients. If you have ever had an allergic reaction to tartrazine, ask your pharmacist if your product has tartrazine in it. Lab tests, including blood electrolytes and kidney function, may be performed while you use Potassium Chloride Liquid. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. Use Potassium Chloride Liquid with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects. Potassium Chloride Liquid should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed. PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Potassium Chloride Liquid while you are pregnant. It is not known if Potassium Chloride Liquid is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Potassium Chloride Liquid, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby. Possible side effects of Potassium Chloride Liquid:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Abnormal skin sensation; confusion; diarrhea; listlessness; nausea; stomach discomfort; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal heartbeat; black, tarry stools; chest pain; heaviness in the legs; indigestion; irregular heartbeat; severe vomiting; stomach pain; tingling in the hands and feet; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Potassium Chloride side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include chest pain; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; limp muscles; listlessness; muscle weakness or paralysis; slow or difficult breathing.

Proper storage of Potassium Chloride Liquid:

Store Potassium Chloride Liquid at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly-closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Potassium Chloride Liquid out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information: If you have any questions about Potassium Chloride Liquid, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Potassium Chloride Liquid is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Potassium Chloride Liquid. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012 Database Edition 12.1.1.002 Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. More Potassium Chloride resources Potassium Chloride Side Effects (in more detail)Potassium Chloride Use in Pregnancy & BreastfeedingDrug ImagesPotassium Chloride Drug InteractionsPotassium Chloride Support Group5 Reviews for Potassium Chloride - Add your own review/rating Compare Potassium Chloride with other medications HypokalemiaPrevention of Hypokalemia

Potassium Chloride Liquid

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