potassium citrate ER
Potassium citrate extended-release tablets (Urocit-K) help treat and prevent kidney stones in adults. The medication makes your urine less acidic, which helps stop stones from forming. It's taken by mouth 2 or 3 times a day, depending on the dosage strength you're taking. The medication is usually taken with meals. Some people might have stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea as side effects.
What is Potassium citrate (Urocit-K)?
What is Potassium citrate (Urocit-K) used for?
- Treatment and prevention of kidney stones made of calcium and uric acid
How Potassium citrate (Urocit-K) works
Potassium citrate (Urocit-K) is an alkalinizing agent. The potassium salt works by making your urine less acidic. This prevents kidney stones from forming.
Drug facts
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Side effects of Potassium citrate (Urocit-K)
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
- Stomach upset or discomfort
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loose bowel movements
- Nausea
Potassium citrate (Urocit-K) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- High potassium levels: nausea, tingling, numbness, feeling more tired than usual, muscle weakness, abnormal or irregular heartbeat
- Stomach damage or stomach bleeding: black, tarry, or bloody stools; bloody vomit; severe vomiting; severe stomach pain
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The following Potassium citrate (Urocit-K) 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.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Abdominal or stomach pain
confusion
difficult breathing
irregular heartbeat
nervousness
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
shortness of breath
weakness or heaviness of the legs
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 Potassium citrate (Urocit-K)
Pros
- Works for the most common types of kidney stones
- Dose can be adjusted based on your response to the medication
Cons
- Must swallow tablets whole 2 to 3 times a day
- Not safe if you have kidney failure, urinary tract infections, high potassium levels, stomach ulcers, or certain stomach problems
Pharmacist tips for Potassium citrate (Urocit-K)
- Swallow potassium citrate (Urocit-K) whole with plenty of water. Don't cut, crush, chew, or suck on the tablets. This can affect the way the medication works. Talk to your prescriber if you have trouble swallowing the tablet whole. Also let them know if the tablet seems to stick to your throat.
- Potassium citrate (Urocit-K) can cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. Taking it along with a meal or bedtime snack (or within 30 minutes after eating) can help ease these side effects. Talk to your prescriber if taking the medication with food doesn't help.
- You might see pieces of the potassium citrate tablet (Urocit-K) in your stool. This is normal and harmless.
- Help treat and prevent kidney stones by staying hydrated. It helps dilute your urine so there's less chance of stones forming. Some drinks include water, orange juice, coffee, and green tea. But avoid soda and alcohol because they can raise your risk of forming new kidney stones.
- Ask your healthcare team if you need to follow a special diet while taking potassium citrate (Urocit-K). Eating certain foods and avoiding others might help prevent kidney stones.
- Get any urine tests, blood tests, and electrocardiograms (EKGs) done on time while taking potassium citrate (Urocit-K). Urine tests help your prescriber check how well the medication is working. And blood tests and EKGs check that the medication isn't causing serious side effects.
- Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. It isn't known whether potassium citrate (Urocit-K) can harm the baby. Your prescriber can talk to you about the risks and benefits. Usually, you'll take the medication only if it's absolutely needed.
Common questions about Potassium citrate (Urocit-K)
Talk to your prescriber about how long you might need to take potassium citrate (Urocit-K). It could depend on how often you're getting kidney stones during treatment. It also depends on your urinary citrate levels and urinary pH (how acidic your urine is). In addition, it could depend on whether you're having any side effects that bother you or are serious. Each person is different and will need to take this medication for a different amount of time.
It's best to take potassium citrate (Urocit-K) when you have meals or, if taken at night, when you eat a bedtime snack. You can also take it within 30 minutes after this food. Taking potassium citrate (Urocit-K) with food can help prevent side effects like stomach irritation, stomach pain, and nausea.
Yes, potassium citrate (Urocit-K) can help dissolve certain types of kidney stones. The medication works by making the urine less acidic, which helps dissolve stones. By keeping the urine less acidic, it also helps prevent new stones from forming.
Yes, it's possible to take too much potassium citrate (Urocit-K). This can cause high potassium levels in your body, which can be dangerous. Symptoms of too much potassium include weakness, tingling, numbness, nausea, and abnormal heartbeat. Only take potassium citrate (Urocit-K) as directed by your prescriber. If you think you might've taken too much, call a Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 or get medical help right away.
Weight gain wasn't a reported side effect of potassium citrate (Urocit-K) in studies. Talk to a healthcare professional if you notice weight gain that's concerning to you while taking this medication.
A small study suggests that potassium citrate (Urocit-K) might lower blood pressure. But more research is needed to know for sure. You can check your blood pressure at home. Bring a record of your readings to your appointments to discuss with your healthcare professional.
No. You need a prescription from a healthcare professional for potassium citrate (Urocit-K) for kidney stones. It has a higher amount of potassium than over-the-counter supplements that contain potassium. It also comes in a special extended-release form.
Potassium citrate and potassium gluconate are different types of potassium salts. Potassium gluconate is available over the counter. It helps treat and prevent low potassium levels. Potassium citrate (Urocit-K) is a prescription medication that's used to treat and prevent kidney stones. Ask a healthcare professional if you have more questions about these potassium salts.
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Risks and warnings for Potassium citrate (Urocit-K)
Potassium citrate (Urocit-K) 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.
High potassium levels
- Risk factors: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) | Heart failure | Taking other medications that raise potassium | Using potassium-based salt substitutes
Potassium citrate (Urocit-K) can raise the potassium levels in the body. It can be dangerous and cause heart problems if potassium levels get too high.
Avoid this medication if you have a health condition that makes it harder for your body to get rid of potassium. These include chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure. The risk for high potassium levels is also greater if you take other medications that can raise potassium levels or use potassium-based salt substitutes.
Your prescriber will check your potassium levels with blood tests. They might also check your heart rhythm using electrocardiograms. These tests help make sure potassium citrate (Urocit-K) is safe for you to take. Tell your care team if you have symptoms of high potassium like fatigue, muscle weakness, tingling, numbness, nausea, or irregular heartbeat.
Damage to the stomach lining
- Risk factors: Taking medications that can damage the stomach | Taking medications that slow down digestion
Although rare, other potassium salts have caused stomach lining damage. This can sometimes cause stomach bleeding and be life-threatening.
To stay safe, be aware of the risk for damage to the stomach lining. The risk might be higher if you take medications that are hard on the stomach, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It could also be higher if you're taking medications that slow digestion, like anticholinergics.
Stop taking potassium citrate (Urocit-K) and get medical help right away if you have severe vomiting, stomach pain, or bloody or dark stools. These could be signs of stomach bleeding or damage.
Potassium citrate (Urocit-K) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10meq | 60 tablets | $13.43 | $0.22 |
| 5meq | 180 tablets | $34.08 | $0.19 |
| 15meq | 180 tablets | $19.57 | $0.11 |
Typical dosage for Potassium citrate (Urocit-K)
The dosage depends on the amount of citrate in your urine and the pH of your urine (how acidic it is). This is measured with a 24-hour urinary citrate test and a urinary pH test.
- Mild-to-moderately low citrate levels (more than 150 mg of citrate in the urine per day): The typical starting dose is 15 mEq by mouth twice a day with meals. Another option is 10 mEq by mouth three times a day with meals.
- Severely low citrate levels (less than 150 mg of citrate in the urine per day): The typical starting dose is 30 mEq by mouth twice a day with meals. Another option is 20 mEq by mouth three times a day with meals.
Your prescriber will adjust the dose based on how well the medication works for you. Don't take more than 100 mEq per day.
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Interactions between Potassium citrate (Urocit-K) and other drugs
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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. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Potassium citrate (Urocit-K) cost?
Potassium citrate (Urocit-K) 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 Potassium citrate (Urocit-K) will not be safe for you to take.
- Have or are at risk of having high potassium levels
- Certain digestive problems that could make it take longer for potassium citrate (Urocit-K) to go through your digestive system
- Stomach ulcers
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Certain kidney problems
- Take anticholinergic medications
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