POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTS

Brand & Generic Names

Apo-K	Neo-K
Cena-K	Novo-Lente-K
K-10	Potachlor 10%
K+Care ET	Potachlor 20%
K-Dur	Potage
K-G Elixir	Potasalan
K-Lease	POTASSIUM ACETATE
K-Long	POTASSIUM BICARBONATE
K-Lor	POTASSIUM BICARBONATE &
K-Lyte	POTASSIUM CHLORIDE
K-Lyte DS	POTASSIUM BICARBONATE &
K-Lyte/Cl	POTASSIUM CITRATE
K-Lyte/Cl 50	POTASSIUM CHLORIDE
K-Lyte/CL Powder	POTASSIUM CHLORIDE,
K-Norm	POTASSIUM BICARBONATE &
K-Tab	POTASSIUM CITRATE
Kallum Durules	POTASSIUM GLUCONATE
Kaochlor	POTASSIUM GLUCONATE &
Kaochlor-Eff	POTASSIUM CHLORIDE
Kaochlor S-F	POTASSIUM GLUCONATE &
Kaon	POTASSIUM CITRATE
Kaon-Cl	POTASSIUM GLUCONATE,
Kaon-Cl 10	POTASSIUM CITRATE &
Kaon-Cl 20	AMMONIUM
Kato	Potassium-Rougier
Kay Ciel	Potassium-Sandoz
Kay Ciel Elixir	Potassium Triplex
Kaylixir	Roychlor 10%
KCL	Roychlor 20%
Klor-Con	Royonate
Klor Con/25	Rum-K
Klor-Con/EF	Slo-Pot 600
Klorvess	Slow-K
Klorvess 10% Liquid	Ten K
Klotrix	Tri-K
Kolyum	TRIKATES
Micro-K	Twin-K
Micro-K 10	Twin-K-Cl
Micro-K LS

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Mineral supplement (potassium)

Uses

• Treatment for potassium deficiency due to diuretics, cortisone or digitalis medicines.
• Treatment for low potassium associated with some illnesses.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. You may chew or crush tablet.
Extended-release tablets or capsules-- Swallow each dose whole with liquid.
Effervescent tablets, granules, powder or liquid--Dilute dose in water.

When to take:
At the same time each day, preferably with food or immediately after meals.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Don't double next dose.

What drug does:
Preserves or restores normal function of nerve cells, heart and skeletal-muscle cells, kidneys, and stomach-juice secretions.

Time lapse before drug works:
1 to 2 hours. Full benefit may require 12 to 24 hours.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Paralysis of arms and legs, irregular heartbeat, blood pressure drop, convulsions, coma, cardiac arrest.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

None expected.

Infrequent:

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, abdominal pain.

Rare:

• Confusion; irregular heartbeat; difficult breathing; unusual fatigue; weakness; heaviness of legs; hemorrhage, perforation with enteric-coated tablets (rarely with wax matrix tablets); esophageal ulceration with tablets; bloody stools.
• Numbness or tingling in hands or feet, anxiety.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any potassium supplement.
• You have acute or chronic kidney disease.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have Addison's disease or familial periodic paralysis.
• If you have heart disease.
• If you have intestinal blockage.
• If you have a stomach ulcer.
• If you use diuretics.
• If you use heart medicine.
• If you use laxatives or have chronic diarrhea.
• If you use salt substitutes or low-salt milk.

Over age 60:
Observe dose schedule strictly. Potassium balance is critical. Deviation above or below normal can have serious results.

Pregnancy:
Studies not done on humans. Consult your doctor.

Breast-feeding:
Studies inconclusive on harm to infant. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Use only under doctor's supervision.

Prolonged use:

• Slows absorption of vitamin B-12. May cause anemia.
• Request frequent lab tests to monitor potassium levels in blood, especially if you take digitalis preparations.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:

• Overdose or underdose serious. Frequent EKGs and laboratory blood studies to measure serum electrolytes and kidney function recommended.
• Prolonged diarrhea may call for increased dosage of potassium.
• Serious injury may necessitate temporary decrease in potassium.
• Some products contain tartrazine dye. Avoid, especially if you are allergic to aspirin.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
ACE inhibitors*:	Possible increased potassium effect.
Amiloride	Dangerous rise in blood potassium.
Anticholinergics*,	Increased possibility of intestinal
other	ulcers, which sometimes occur with
	oral potassium tablets.
Atropine	Increased possibility of intestinal
	ulcers, which sometimes occur with
	oral potassium tablets.
Belladonna	Increased possibility of intestinal
	ulcers, which sometimes occur with
	oral potassium tablets.
Cortisone medicines*	Decreased effect of potassium.
Digitalis	Possible irregular heartbeat.
Diuretics,	Decreased potassium effect.
Laxatives*	Possible decreased potassium
	effect.
Non-steroidal anti-	Increased risk of stomach
inflammatory analgesics*	irritation.
Spironolactone	Dangerous rise in blood potassium.
Triamterene	Dangerous rise in blood potassium.
Vitamin B-12	Extended-release tablets may
	decrease vitamin B-12 absorption
	and increase vitamin B-12
	requirements.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Salty drinks such as	Increased fluid
tomato juice,	retention.
Cocaine:	May cause irregular heartbeat.
Salty foods.	Increased fluid retention.
Marijuana:	May cause irregular heartbeat.
Tobacco:	None expected.