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Potassium Chloride

Potassium Chloride Side Effects

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCPKristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Reviewed by Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP, Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on July 6, 2023

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

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
When do Potassium Chloride possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Nausea
Stomach discomfort
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.

Source: DailyMed

The following 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:

Rare

Abdominal or stomach pain, cramping, or soreness (continuing)

chest or throat pain, especially when swallowing

stools with signs of blood (red or black color)

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:

More common

Diarrhea

nausea

stomach pain, discomfort, or gas (mild)

vomiting

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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Why trust our experts?

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP, started his full-time career as a clinical pharmacist at UCLA Health in the general medicine, general cardiology, and ICU units after completing residency in 2016. He also was the preceptor for the general medicine rotation from 2017 to 2021, which was a required rotation for all pharmacy residents.
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist in California. She has been a retail pharmacy manager and staff pharmacist for over 7 years and has contributed drug information content to different health companies.

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