Potassium Supplements

Class: Replacement Preparations
CAS Number: 127-08-2
Brands: Effer-K, Kaon-Cl, Kay Ciel, K-Lor, Klor-Con, Klor-Con/EF, Klotrix, K-Tab, Micro-K

Introduction

A source of potassium, an essential nutrient cation.

Uses for Potassium Supplements

Hypokalemia

Treatment or prevention of hypokalemia (potassium deficiency) in patients in whom dietary measures are inadequate.

Conditions that may indicate or result in potassium deficiency include vomiting, diarrhea, drainage of GI fluids, hyperadrenalism, malnutrition, debilitation, prolonged negative nitrogen balance, prolonged parenteral alimentation without addition of potassium, dialysis, metabolic alkalosis, metabolic or diabetic acidosis, GI tract abnormalities that result in poor absorption, certain renal diseases, and familial periodic paralysis characterized by hypokalemia.

Potassium should be included in long-term electrolyte replacement regimens and has been recommended for routine prophylactic administration following surgery after adequate urine flow has been established.

Potassium replacement may be indicated in patients receiving certain drugs that may sometimes cause potassium depletion (e.g., thiazide diuretics, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, loop diuretics, some corticosteroids, corticotropin, aminosalicylic acid, amphotericin B). Although ingestion of potassium-rich foods and/or use of potassium-containing salt substitutes may prevent potassium depletion in patients receiving potassium-depleting drugs, judicious prophylactic administration of potassium may be advisable in selected patients during prolonged diuretic or corticosteroid therapy, especially if they are digitalized.

Potassium chloride usually is the salt of choice in the treatment of potassium depletion, since the chloride ion is required to correct hypochloremia which frequently accompanies potassium deficiency and since the citrate, bicarbonate, gluconate, or another alkalinizing salt of potassium may cause hypochloremia, particularly when used in conjunction with chloride-restricted diets.

Alkalinizing potassium salts (acetate, bicarbonate, citrate, gluconate) should be used for treatment of hypokalemia in patients with metabolic acidosis (e.g., renal tubular acidosis).

Potassium also is available as the potassium phosphate salt; however, potassium phosphate usually is used to replace phosphate losses or to correct coexisting hypokalemia and hypophosphatemia.

Hypertension

Inadequate dietary intake of potassium plays an important role in the development of hypertension, and high dietary intake of potassium (including use of potassium supplements) may protect against the development of high blood pressure and improve blood pressure control in patients with hypertension.

Most experts recommend enhanced intake of potassium (3.5–5 g daily) in hypertensive patients as part of lifestyle modifications unless contraindicated by chronic kidney disease (CKD) or use of drugs that reduce potassium excretion. (See Cautions: Precautions and Contraindications.) Increased potassium intake is recommended particularly in those unable to adequately reduce their sodium intake.

Adequate intake of potassium should be considered as a means of preventing the development of hypertension. Food sources high in potassium such as fruits and vegetables are preferred over potassium supplements.

Arrhythmias

Potassium salts may be used cautiously ...