potassium chloride
Potassium chloride is a prescription medication used to prevent and treat low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia). It's also known by its brand names, Klor-Con, Klor-Con M, and Klor-Con Sprinkle. Oral potassium chloride is available in many forms, including capsules, tablets, and oral solutions. This medication is taken by mouth, typically multiple times a day. Some of the most common side effects of oral potassium chloride include nausea, vomiting, and stomach upset. Oral potassium chloride is also available over the counter in lower doses as a supplement.
What is Oral potassium chloride?
What is Oral potassium chloride used for?
- Prevention and treatment of low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia)
How Oral potassium chloride works
Oral potassium chloride is a potassium salt, or supplement, used to raise your blood potassium levels when they're too low. Potassium is essential for heart, nerve, and muscle health as well as for other important processes in the body to work properly.
Drug facts
Side effects of Oral potassium chloride
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Passing gas
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Diarrhea
Oral potassium chloride serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Dangerously high potassium: tiredness, weakness, muscle cramps or pain, chest pain, unusual heartbeat, trouble breathing
- Injury to the stomach or intestines: vomiting, stomach pain, bloating, black-colored or tarry stools
The following Oral potassium chloride side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Stop taking this medicine and check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Confusion
irregular or slow heartbeat
numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips
shortness of breath or difficult breathing
unexplained anxiety
unusual tiredness or weakness
weakness or heaviness of legs
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Sometimes you may see what appears to be a whole tablet in the stool after taking certain extended-release potassium chloride tablets. This is to be expected. Your body has absorbed the potassium from the tablet and the shell is then expelled.
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Oral potassium chloride
Pros
- Works well to raise potassium levels
- Available in many different forms (e.g., tablets, capsules, powder, solution, injection)
- Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Cons
- Can cause stomach upset
- Taken multiple times a day
- Requires regular blood draws to monitor potassium levels
Pharmacist tips for Oral potassium chloride
- Make sure to mark your calendar with your appointments to see your provider and to get any blood work done when you take oral potassium chloride. Your provider might order tests (e.g., potassium level, kidney function) during treatment and might change your dose of oral potassium chloride based on your lab results.
- Take each oral potassium chloride dose with a meal and full glass of water or other liquid to lower the chances of stomach upset. Don't take oral potassium chloride on an empty stomach.
- Ask your provider or dietician to see if you're already getting enough potassium through foods based on your diet. If so, your provider might lower your dose of oral potassium chloride or ask you to stop taking it altogether.
- Make sure your provider and pharmacist know about all of your other medications, especially if you take other medications that can change potassium levels.
- Tell your provider if you take diuretics (water pills) like furosemide (Lasix) because they can lower potassium levels. If so, your provider will most likely need to make changes to your dose of oral potassium chloride if you stop taking your water pills.
- Don't take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), while taking oral potassium chloride unless your provider specifically said it's safe for you to do so. This is because taking NSAIDs and oral potassium chloride together can cause your potassium level to get too high.
More tips on how to take oral potassium chloride:
- If you're taking potassium chloride (Klor-Con) extended-release tablets, swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water or meal to lower your risk of stomach upset. Don't crush, chew, or suck on it.
- If you're taking potassium chloride (Klor-Con M) extended-release tablets (not Klor-Con), you can break the tablet in half and swallow each half separately or dissolve the tablet in water. Ask your pharmacist for instructions on how to do this.
- If you're taking potassium chloride (Klor-Con Sprinkle) extended-release capsules, you can swallow the capsule whole, or open the capsule and sprinkle the medication onto soft food like applesauce or pudding. The soft food shouldn't be hot, and should be easy to swallow without chewing. Swallow the dose right after putting it on the food, without chewing. Drink a glass of water or juice afterwards to wash down all of the medication.
- If you're taking the powder packets or oral solution, make sure to mix the dose with at least a half-cup (4 ounces) of water. Each packet contains 20 mEq, but the solution form comes in two different concentrations so make sure to double-check that you're taking the right amount for your dose.
Common questions about Oral potassium chloride
In general, oral potassium chloride is safe as long as you're taking it as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It can cause some stomach-related side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. But your provider can help lower the risk of these side effects by splitting your total daily dose of oral potassium chloride into smaller doses to be taken throughout the day. During treatment, it's important get your blood potassium levels checked regularly and follow any diet restrictions your provider gave you. These are needed to help make sure your blood potassium levels stay within a safe range. Otherwise, you might be at risk for high blood potassium levels (hyperkalemia), which can be serious.
Oral potassium chloride won't damage your kidneys. But if you have kidney problems, your provider will most likely prescribe a lower dose of oral potassium chloride and check your blood potassium level more often to make sure it's within a safe range. This is because potassium can build up in your body when your kidneys don't work as well. And this can put you at higher risk for high blood potassium level, which can be dangerous.
No, none of the oral potassium chloride pills can be crushed. If you've trouble swallowing an oral potassium chloride pill, ask your provider to switch you to a different potassium chloride product, like the oral solution. If you're prescribed potassium chloride (Klor-Con Sprinkle) extended-release capsules, you can open them and sprinkle the contents on soft food (e.g., applesauce or pudding). If you have the potassium chloride (Klor-Con M) extended-release tablet, you can break it in half and take each half separately or dissolve the tablet in a half-cup (4 ounces) of water and drink. Ask your pharmacist for more details on how to do this.
Yes, there are potassium chloride supplements that are available over the counter. Sometimes, you'll find potassium chloride included in a multivitamin. But keep in mind that the dose of OTC potassium chloride is much lower than the dose of the prescription versions. Talk with your provider before starting any OTC supplements with potassium chloride to make sure it's safe for you to do so.
It's best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking oral potassium chloride because doing so can cause your body's electrolyte levels, including potassium levels, to be out of balance. For example, drinking too much alcohol can lead to low potassium levels because it can cause nausea, vomiting, or poor absorption of nutrients. Talk with your provider if you've questions on how oral potassium chloride might affect your potassium level.
Potassium chloride and potassium citrate are both potassium salts and can cause similar side effects, like nausea and stomach upset. The main difference between them is what medical conditions they're prescribed to treat. Potassium chloride is used to raise or prevent low blood potassium levels, while potassium citrate is used to treat and prevent kidney stones. Talk with your provider if you've more questions on the differences between potassium chloride and potassium citrate.
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Risks and warnings for Oral potassium chloride
Oral potassium chloride can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of high blood potassium levels
Risk factors: Taking other medications that can raise potassium levels | Kidney problems
Only take oral potassium chloride as directed by your provider. Taking too much oral potassium chloride can cause high blood potassium levels. Your risk is higher if you're taking other medications that can raise potassium, like spironolactone (Aldactone) or lisinopril (Zestril). If you experience signs of high potassium levels, such as nausea, or muscle weakness, tell your healthcare provider right away. If left untreated, high potassium levels can be dangerous.
Stomach or intestinal injury
Risk factors: Taking a pill form of oral potassium chloride | Difficulty swallowing or slow intestinal movement
Oral potassium supplements can cause stomach-related side effects because they can be irritating to the stomach and intestines. Rarely, this can lead to ulcers, tearing, bleeding, and other serious internal injury. If you've difficulty swallowing or have a condition that causes slow movement in the intestines, your provider will recommend the liquid form of oral potassium chloride over the pill form. This is because the liquid form is less likely to cause stomach irritation. If you experience severe vomiting, stomach pain, bloating (which might be a symptom of blockage), or black-colored stools (a possible symptom of bleeding bleeding), stop taking oral potassium chloride and contact your provider right away.
Oral potassium chloride dosage
Typical dosage for Oral potassium chloride
Your provider will determine your dose of oral potassium chloride (measured in milliequivalents, or mEq) based on different factors, such as your blood potassium level and what medical conditions you have.
Oral potassium chloride comes in different forms, including extended-release capsules, extended-release tablets, and oral solutions. Your dose might differ depending on what formulation you're prescribed.
In general:
-
Treatment of low potassium level
- Adults: The typical total daily dose ranges from 40 mEq to 100 mEq, split into 2 to 5 smaller doses and taken by mouth throughout the day. Don't take more than 20 mEq (for tablets) or 40 mEq (for capsules and oral solutions) for any single dose.
- Children (ages 16 years and younger): Your child's provider will determine the dose based on your child's body weight. The typical total daily dose ranges from 2 mEq/kg to 4 mEq/kg, split into smaller doses and taken by mouth throughout the day.
-
Prevention of low potassium level
- Adults: The typical dose is to take 20 mEq by mouth daily.
- Children (ages 16 years and younger): Your child's provider will determine the dose based on your child's body weight. The typical dose is to take 1 mEq/kg by mouth daily.
Please note: Oral potassium chloride tablets are typically prescribed for adults only.
Interactions between Oral potassium chloride and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking any of these dietary supplements, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using dietary supplements in this class with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with dietary supplements in this class or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Amantadine
- Atropine
- Belladonna
- Belladonna Alkaloids
- Benztropine
- Bepridil
- Biperiden
- Burosumab-twza
- Cisapride
- Clidinium
- Darifenacin
- Dicyclomine
- Dronedarone
- Eplerenone
- Fesoterodine
- Glycopyrrolate
- Hyoscyamine
- Mesoridazine
- Methscopolamine
- Oxybutynin
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Procyclidine
- Saquinavir
- Scopolamine
- Solifenacin
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Tolterodine
- Trihexyphenidyl
- Trospium
- Ziprasidone
Using dietary supplements in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alacepril
- Alfuzosin
- Amiloride
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Anagrelide
- Apomorphine
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Asenapine
- Astemizole
- Azilsartan
- Azilsartan Medoxomil
- Azithromycin
- Bedaquiline
- Benazepril
- Buprenorphine
- Buserelin
- Candesartan
- Canrenoate
- Canrenone
- Captopril
- Ceritinib
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Cilazapril
- Ciprofloxacin
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clofazimine
- Clomipramine
- Clozapine
- Crizotinib
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Cyclosporine
- Dabrafenib
- Dasatinib
- Degarelix
- Delamanid
- Delapril
- Desipramine
- Deslorelin
- Deutetrabenazine
- Digoxin
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Droperidol
- Efavirenz
- Enalapril
- Enalaprilat
- Encorafenib
- Entrectinib
- Eplerenone
- Eprosartan
- Erdafitinib
- Erythromycin
- Escitalopram
- Fingolimod
- Flecainide
- Fluconazole
- Fluoxetine
- Formoterol
- Foscarnet
- Fosinopril
- Fostemsavir
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Glasdegib
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Granisetron
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Histrelin
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxyzine
- Ibutilide
- Iloperidone
- Imidapril
- Imipramine
- Indomethacin
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Irbesartan
- Ivabradine
- Ivosidenib
- Ketoconazole
- Lapatinib
- Lefamulin
- Lenvatinib
- Levofloxacin
- Lisinopril
- Lofexidine
- Lopinavir
- Losartan
- Lumefantrine
- Macimorelin
- Mefloquine
- Methadone
- Metronidazole
- Mifepristone
- Mirtazapine
- Moexipril
- Moxifloxacin
- Nafarelin
- Nilotinib
- Norfloxacin
- Nortriptyline
- Octreotide
- Ofloxacin
- Olmesartan
- Ondansetron
- Osilodrostat
- Osimertinib
- Oxaliplatin
- Ozanimod
- Paliperidone
- Panobinostat
- Pasireotide
- Pazopanib
- Pentopril
- Perindopril
- Pimavanserin
- Pitolisant
- Ponesimod
- Posaconazole
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Promethazine
- Propafenone
- Protriptyline
- Quetiapine
- Quinapril
- Quinidine
- Quinine
- Ramipril
- Ranolazine
- Ribociclib
- Selpercatinib
- Sertraline
- Sevoflurane
- Siponimod
- Solifenacin
- Sorafenib
- Sotalol
- Spirapril
- Spironolactone
- Sulpiride
- Sunitinib
- Tacrolimus
- Telavancin
- Telithromycin
- Telmisartan
- Temocapril
- Tetrabenazine
- Toremifene
- Trandolapril
- Trazodone
- Triamterene
- Triclabendazole
- Trifluoperazine
- Trimipramine
- Triptorelin
- Valsartan
- Vandetanib
- Vardenafil
- Vemurafenib
- Vinflunine
- Voclosporin
- Voriconazole
- Zofenopril
- Zuclopenthixol
How much does Oral potassium chloride cost?
Oral potassium chloride contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Oral potassium chloride will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently taking amiloride (Midamor) or triamterene (Dyrenium)
What are alternatives to Oral potassium chloride?
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