Pregnancy Risk Category C
How supplied
Tablets (controlled-release): 6.7 mEq (500 mg), 8 mEq (600 mg), 10 mEq (750 mg), 20 mEq (1,500 mg)
Tablets (film-coated): 2.5 mEq (200 mg), 8 mEq (600 mg), 10 mEq (750 mg)
Capsules (controlled-release): 8 mEq (600 mg), 10 mEq (750 mg)
Oral liquid: 10% (20 mEq/15 ml), 15% (30 mEq/15 ml), 20% (40 mEq/15 ml)
Powder for oral use: 15-mEq packet, 20-mEq packet, 25-mEq packet, 25-mEq dose
Injection: 20-mEq, 40-mEq ampules; additive syringes containing 30-mEq or 40-mEq; 10-mEq, 20-mEq, 30-mEq, 40-mEq, 60-mEq, 100-mEq, 200-mEq, 400-mEq, or 1,000-mEq vials
Action
Replaces potassium and maintains potassium level.
Indications & dosage
Hypokalemia--
Adults: 40 to 100 mEq P.O. daily in three or four divided doses for treatment; 10 to 20 mEq for prevention. Further dosage based on serum potassium level.
Children: 3 mEq/kg daily. Total daily dose not to exceed 40 mEq/m2.
Use I.V. route only when oral replacement isn't feasible or when hypokalemia is life-threatening. If serum potassium level is less than 2 mEq/ml, maximum infusion rate is 40 mEq/hour, maximum infusion concentration is 80 mEq/L, and maximum 24-hour dose is 400 mEq. If serum potassium level is greater than 2 mEq/ml, maximum infusion rate is 10 mEq/hour, maximum infusion concentration is 40 mEq/L, and maximum 24-hour dose is 200 mEq. For routine supplementation, usual dose is 10 to 20 mEq hourly in concentrations of 40 mEq/L or less.
Adverse reactions
Signs and symptoms of hyperkalemia--
CNS: paresthesia of extremities, listlessness, mental confusion, weakness or heaviness of limbs, flaccid paralysis.
CV: arrhythmias, heart block, possible cardiac arrest, ECG changes, hypotension, postinfusion phlebitis.
GI: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea.
Metabolic: hyperkalemia.
Respiratory: respiratory paralysis.
Interactions
Drug-drug. ACE inhibitors, potassium-sparing diuretics: risk of hyperkalemia. Use with extreme caution.
Effects on diagnostic tests
None reported.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment with oliguria, anuria, or azotemia; with untreated Addison's disease; or acute dehydration, heat cramps, hyperkalemia, hyperkalemic form of familial periodic paralysis, or other conditions associated with extensive tissue breakdown.
Nursing considerations
I.V. administration
Patient teaching
*Liquid contains alcohol. **May contain tartrazine. †Canada ‡Australia §U.K. OTCOver the counter
Reactions may be common, uncommon, life-threatening, or COMMON AND LIFE-THREATENING