Potassium Chloride vs. Potassium Citrate: What’s the Best Potassium Supplement?

With many potassium supplements available, it can be difficult to know which one may be best for you. The most commonly used potassium supplements are potassium chloride and potassium citrate. Both of these supplements contain potassium. But they treat very different conditions and can’t be used in place of one another. 

Here’s what you need to know about when to choose potassium chloride versus potassium citrate and how to safely take potassium supplements. 

First, what is potassium chloride?

Potassium chloride is a type of potassium supplement. You can buy potassium chloride at your local grocery store or retail pharmacy alongside other vitamins and supplements. Potassium chloride supplements are sold as generic supplements and under brand names like Klor-Con M, K-Tab, and Klor-Con.

Potassium chloride supplements are used to treat or prevent hypokalemia, or low potassium levels. People can develop hypokalemia if they have certain health conditions or take certain medications. Hypokalemia often has no symptoms, but it can sometimes cause symptoms like:

• Muscle weakness

• Muscle twitches and cramps

• Excessive thirst

• Frequent urination (peeing)

• Appetite loss

• Nausea or vomiting

• Low blood pressure

• Irregular heart rhythm

• Confusion

• Abdominal swelling

People at risk for hypokalemia need potassium chloride supplements to stay healthy. For them, potassium chloride is more than just a vitamin or supplement — it’s a critical medication. 

What are the side effects of potassium chloride supplements?

Common side effects of potassium chloride include:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Upset stomach

• Gas

• Diarrhea 

Too much potassium chloride can also cause hyperkalemia, or high potassium levels in the blood. Since potassium can cross the placenta, people who are pregnant should check with a healthcare professional if it’s safe for them to take potassium chloride. They can help you weigh the pros and cons.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Picking a potassium supplement: Potassium chloride is often the first choice for treating low potassium. Learn about the best potassium supplement for you, depending on your health needs.

• Do you have low potassium? Low potassium can cause muscle cramps, constipation, and weakness. If you think you have low potassium, there are ways to determine the best treatment for you.

• Foods that have potassium: You don’t have to take supplements to get more potassium. Find out what foods to add to your diet to boost your potassium.

What are the forms and dosages of potassium chloride supplements?

Potassium chloride comes in:

• Immediate-release (IR) forms: Immediate release potassium chloride supplements are available as powder packets (20 mEq) and oral solutions (10%, 20%).

• Extended-release (ER) forms: Extended-release (ER) potassium chloride supplements are available as capsules and tablets. Not all extended-release tablets are the same. You can’t switch one tablet brand with another, even though both brands contain potassium chloride.

How should you take potassium chloride supplements?

In general, potassium chloride should be taken by mouth with water or another beverage (e.g., fruit juice). This supplement should also be taken with food to lessen stomach-related side effects.

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Here’s a table that breaks down how to take potassium chloride depending on the dosage form. 

If you have trouble swallowing pills or have questions about dosage forms, talk with a pharmacist. They can help you find the best type of potassium chloride supplement for you. 

Ways to save on potassium chloride supplements

There are many ways to save on your potassium chloride medication. GoodRx can help you navigate your options, which may include GoodRx discounts, copay savings cards, and patient assistance programs. You can find potassium chloride prices as low as $9 with a free GoodRx discount.

Now, what is potassium citrate?

Potassium citrate is another type of potassium supplement. You can buy potassium citrate supplements at your local grocery store or retail pharmacy alongside other vitamins and supplements. Potassium citrate supplements are sold as generic supplements and under the brand name Urocit-K. 

Potassium citrate supplements are used to treat and prevent certain types of kidney stones. Kidney stones are crystal-like structures that turn into stones in the kidneys. They can be caused by:

• Diet

• Certain health conditions

• Genetics

• Medications

Potassium citrate is an important medication for people at risk of certain types of kidney stones. For these people, potassium citrate is more than just a vitamin or supplement. It’s a key medication that keeps them healthy. 

What are the side effects of potassium citrate supplements?

Common side effects of potassium citrate include:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Stomach pain

High doses can increase the risk of developing hyperkalemia and stomach bleeding. Potassium citrate should be taken by people who are pregnant only when it’s medically necessary and as directed by a healthcare professional.

What are the forms and dosages of potassium citrate supplements?

Compared with potassium chloride, potassium citrate doesn’t have as many dosage forms. It’s only available as ER tablets. Potassium citrate has three different strengths: 

• 5 mEq 

• 10 mEq 

• 15 mEq

How should you take potassium citrate supplements?

In general, you’ll take potassium citrate by mouth 2 to 3 times daily with food. Taking potassium citrate with food can lower your risk of developing stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

When taking potassium citrate, swallow the whole tablet. Don’t crush, chew, or suck on the tablet. Let your healthcare professional know if the tablet is sticking to your throat or if you're having trouble swallowing tablets.

Ways to save on potassium citrate

There are many ways to save on potassium citrate, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. 

• Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 76% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic potassium citrate at certain pharmacies is less than $30 with a free GoodRx discount.

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for potassium citrate patient assistance programs, which offer the medication free of cost.

Potassium chloride vs. potassium citrate

Both potassium supplements have differences and similarities. Let’s take a closer look below.

Differences

As mentioned, potassium chloride and potassium citrate treat different conditions. Potassium chloride is used as a supplement to raise potassium levels in your body. And potassium citrate is used for certain types of kidney stones.

They’re also not available in the same dosage forms. Potassium chloride is available in many dosage forms, including powder packets, liquid, and ER capsules and tablets. Potassium citrate is only available as an ER tablet. 

Similarities

Here’s how potassium chloride and potassium citrate are similar:

• They have similar side effects. Both medications have stomach-related side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

• Both should be taken with food. It’s recommended to take potassium chloride or potassium citrate with food, which might lessen some of the stomach-related effects.

• Both medications are available in generic versions. Since both medications are available as generics, this might save you on costs.

How much potassium chloride or potassium citrate can you take per day?

How much potassium chloride or potassium citrate to take will vary depending on each person. The following table provides more information on how much of each medication you can take per day.

Can you take potassium chloride and potassium citrate supplements together?

No, potassium chloride and potassium citrate aren’t typically taken together. 

Even though potassium citrate is used to treat certain types of kidney stones, it can also raise potassium levels. Taking both supplements together increases the risk of developing high potassium levels in the blood (hyperkalemia). Hyperkalemia can be dangerous for your health. 

Some people need to take both types of potassium supplements. If this is the case for you, your healthcare professional will monitor your potassium levels using blood tests to make sure you don’t develop hyperkalemia. 

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Written by:

Ross Phan, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP, BCPS

Ross Phan is a board-certified clinical pharmacist. She has roughly two decades of healthcare experience — with most of her experience being pharmacy related.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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