Potassium Bicarbonate |
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Basic Information
Brand names:
Potassium Bicarbonate Effervescent Tablets for Oral Solution
Klor-Con/EF(R)
K-Lyte(R)
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? Some yes; others no
NATURAL SOURCES
Avocados
Bananas
Chard
Citrus fruit
Juices grapefruit, tomato, orange
Lentils, dried
Milk
Molasses
Nuts almonds, Brazil, cashews, peanuts, pecans, walnuts
Parsnips
Peaches, dried
Potatoes
Raisins
Sardines, canned
Spinach, fresh
Whole-grain cereals
REASONS TO USE
Promotes regular heartbeat.
Promotes normal muscle contraction.
Regulates transfer of nutrients to cells.
Maintains water balance in body tissues and cells.
Preserves or restores normal function of nerve cells, heart
cells, skeletal-muscle cells, kidneys, stomach-juice secretion.
Treats potassium deficiency from illness or taking diuretics
(water pills), cortisone drugs or digitalis preparations.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
Cures alcoholism.
Cures acne.
Cures allergies.
Cures heart disease.
Helps heal burns.
Prevents high blood pressure.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
People who take diuretics, cortisone drugs or digitalis
preparations.
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake
or increased nutritional requirements.
Older people (over 55 years).
Pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Women taking oral contraceptives.
People who abuse alcohol or other drugs.
Tobacco smokers.
People with a chronic wasting illness, excess stress for long
periods or who have recently undergone surgery.
Athletes and workers who participate in vigorous physical
activities, especially when endurance is an important aspect of
the activity.
Those with part of the gastrointestinal tract surgically
removed.
People with malabsorption illnesses (See Glossary).
Those with recent severe burns or injuries.
Vegetarians.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Hypokalemia
Weakness, paralysis
Low blood pressure
Life-threatening, irregular or rapid heartbeat that can lead
to cardiac arrest and death
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
Acne
Allergies
High blood pressure
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
Serum-potassium determinations
Serum creatinine
Electrocardiograms
Serum-pH determinations
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):
No RDA has been established. Nutritionists recommend a DECREASE
in sodium (table salt) intake and an INCREASE in foods high in
potassium for a total daily intake of 40 to 150 milliequivalents
per day.
What this mineral does:
Potassium is the predominant positive electrolyte in body
cells. An enzyme (adenosinetriphosphatase) controls flow of
potassium and sodium into and out of cells to maintain normal
function of heart, brain, skeletal muscles, normal kidney
function, acid-base balance.
Miscellaneous information:
Normal potassium content is reduced when foods are canned or
frozen.
Avoid peeling food.
Avoid cooking food in large amounts of water.
Keep meat drippings and use as gravies.
Available as:
Effervescent tablets: Dilute in at least 1/2 glass water or
other liquid. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals
unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Potassium is not recommended for children.
Some forms available by generic name.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you:
Take potassium-sparing diuretics, such as spironolactone,
triamterene or amiloride.
Are allergic to any potassium supplement.
Have kidney disease.
Consult your doctor if you have:
Addison's disease.
Heart disease.
Intestinal blockage.
A stomach ulcer.
To use diuretics.
To use heart medicine.
To use laxatives or if you have chronic diarrhea.
To use salt substitutes or low-salt milk.
Over age 55:
Observe dose schedule strictly. Potassium balance is critical.
Deviation above or below normal can have serious results.
Pregnancy:
No problems expected, except with megadoses.
Breast-feeding:
Studies inconclusive on harm to infant. Consult doctor about
supplement.
Don't take megadoses.
Effect on lab tests:
ECG and kidney function studies can be affected by too much or
too little potassium.
None expected on blood studies, except serum-potassium levels.
Storage:
Store in cool, dry area away from direct light, but don't
freeze.
Store safely out of reach of children.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture
may change action of the mineral.
Others:
Take with meals or with food.
OVERDOSE/TOXICITY
Signs and symptoms:
Irregular or fast heartbeat, paralysis of arms and legs,
blood-pressure drop, convulsions, coma, cardiac arrest.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult
doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section
below.
For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire bottle):
Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest Poison
Control Center. If person's heart has stopped beating, render
CPR until trained help arrives.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
| Reaction or effect |
What to do |
| Black, tarry stool |
Seek emergency treatment. |
| Bloody stool |
Seek emergency treatment. |
| Breathing difficulty |
Seek emergency treatment. |
| Confusion |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Diarrhea |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Extreme fatigue |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
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convenient. |
| Heaviness in legs |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| Irregular heartbeat |
Seek emergency treatment. |
| Nausea |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
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convenient. |
| Numbness in hands or feet |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
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convenient. |
| Stomach discomfort |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
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convenient. |
| Tingling in hands and feet |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
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convenient. |
| Vomiting |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Weakness |
Discontinue. Call doctor |
|
immediately. |
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
| Interacts with |
Combined effect |
| Amiloride |
Causes dangerous rise in blood |
|
potassium. |
| Atropine |
Increases possibility of |
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intestinal ulcers, which may |
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occur with oral potassium. |
| Belladonna |
Increases possibility of |
|
intestinal ulcers, which may |
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occur with oral potassium. |
| Calcium |
Increases possibility of |
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heartbeat irregularities. |
| Captopril |
Increases chance of excessive |
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amounts of potassium. |
| Cortisone |
Decreases effect of potassium. |
| Digitalis preparations |
May cause irregular heartbeat. |
| Enalapril |
Increases chance of excessive |
|
amounts of potassium. |
| Laxatives |
May decrease potassium effect. |
| Spironolactone |
Increases blood potassium. |
| Triamterene |
Increases blood potassium. |
| Vitamin B-12 |
Extended-release tablets may |
|
decrease vitamin B-12 |
|
absorption and increase |
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vitamin B-12 requirements. |
INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
Tobacco decreases absorption. Smokers may require
supplemental potassium.
Alcohol intensifies gastrointestinal symptoms.
Cocaine may cause irregular heartbeat.
Marijuana may cause irregular heartbeat.
Beverages
Salty drinks, such as tomato juice and commercial thirst
quenchers, cause increased fluid retention.
Coffee decreases potassium absorption and intensifies
gastrointestinal symptoms.
Low-salt milk increases fluid retention.
Foods
Salty foods increase fluid retention.
Sugar decreases potassium absorption.
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