Potassium Chloride vs. Potassium Citrate: Which Is Better?

Key takeaways:

Potassium chloride and potassium citrate are both potassium supplements, but they’re not the same. The best potassium supplement depends on why you need a potassium supplement.
Potassium chloride is used to treat or prevent hypokalemia (low potassium levels).
Potassium citrate is used to treat or prevent certain types of kidney stones.

With many potassium supplements available, it can be difficult to know which one is 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 each other.

Here’s what you need to know about when to choose potassium chloride or 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, along with 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, which means low potassium levels. People can develop hypokalemia because of certain health conditions or medications.

Hypokalemia often has no symptoms, but when symptoms do happen, they may include:

Muscle weakness
Muscle twitches or cramps
Excessive thirst
Frequent urination (peeing)
Loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting
Low blood pressure
Irregular heart rhythm
Confusion
Abdominal swelling

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

What are the benefits of potassium chloride supplements?

Potassium chloride helps raise and maintain healthy potassium levels in people with low potassium. Restoring potassium levels supports normal muscle, nerve, and heart function. It can also prevent complications linked to low potassium, such as muscle cramps, irregular heart rhythms, and low blood pressure.

For people who lose potassium because of certain health conditions or medications, like diuretics (water pills), potassium chloride provides a reliable way to replace what’s lost. In these situations, it works as a true maintenance medication rather than a general supplement, helping keep potassium levels in a safe range each day.

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. Learn which foods you can add to your diet to boost your potassium naturally.

What are the side effects of potassium chloride supplements?

Common side effects of potassium chloride include:

Nausea or vomiting
Upset stomach
Gas
Diarrhea

Too much potassium chloride can also cause hyperkalemia, which means high potassium levels in your blood. Because potassium can cross the placenta, people who are pregnant should check with a healthcare professional before taking potassium chloride. They can help you weigh the pros and cons to see if it’s safe for you.

What are the forms and dosages of potassium chloride supplements?

Potassium chloride comes in the following forms:

Immediate-release (IR): Immediate-release potassium chloride is available as powder packets (20 mEq) and oral solutions (10% and 20%).
Extended-release (ER): Extended-release (ER) potassium chloride supplements are available as capsules and tablets. Not all extended-release tablets are the same. You can’t switch from one tablet brand to another, even if 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 (like fruit juice). This supplement should also be taken with food to reduce stomach-related side effects.

The table below breaks down how to take potassium chloride depending on the dosage form.

Dosage form	How to take potassium chloride
Powder packet	Mix one packet’s contents with 4 oz (about half a glass) of water or another beverage.
Oral solution (liquid)	Mix the potassium solution with 4 oz or more of water.
Klor-Con Sprinkle (ER capsules)	Gently pull the capsule apart and mix its contents with some applesauce, pudding, or other soft foods. You can also swallow the capsules whole.
K-Tabs (ER tablets)	Swallow the tablet whole. Don’t crush, chew, or suck on the tablet.
Klor-Con (ER tablets)	Swallow the tablet whole. Don’t crush, chew, or suck on the tablet.
Klor-Con M (ER tablets)	Swallow the tablets whole, or place them in 4 oz of water and let them dissolve before drinking.

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, along with 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 your kidneys. They can be caused by:

Diet
Certain health conditions
Genetics
Medications

Potassium citrate is an important medication for people who are 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 benefits of potassium citrate supplements?

Potassium citrate can lower the risk of certain kidney stones by changing the chemistry of your urine in helpful ways. One key benefit is that it raises citrate levels in your urine. Citrate binds to calcium, which makes it harder for calcium-based crystals, like calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate, to form and grow.

Potassium citrate also makes your urine less acidic. Less acidic urine helps dissolve uric acid stones and also lowers the chance that new uric acid stones will form. For people who often form these types of stones, potassium citrate is one of the main treatments recommended.

What are the side effects of potassium citrate supplements?

Common side effects of potassium citrate include:

Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach pain

High doses can increase your risk of developing hyperkalemia and stomach bleeding. People who are pregnant should take potassium citrate only if 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 comes in fewer 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, potassium citrate is taken by mouth 2 to 3 times a day with food. Taking it 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 it. Let your healthcare professional know if the tablet is sticking in 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. At some pharmacies, generic potassium citrate can cost 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. The chart below offers a side-by-side comparison of each.

	Potassium chloride	Potassium citrate
What it is	A potassium supplement used to treat or prevent low potassium levels	A potassium supplement used to treat and prevent certain types of kidney stones
Dosage	Typical total daily dose is 20-40 mEq (depending on whether you’re preventing or treating low potassium)	Typical daily dose is 30-60 mEq
Benefits	Raises potassium levels in people with low potassium Helps prevent symptoms like muscle weakness, cramps, and irregular heart rhythms Supports healthy nerve and muscle function	Raises citrate levels in urine to prevent calcium-based kidney stones Makes urine less acidic to help dissolve and prevent uric acid stones Reduces recurrence of certain types of stones
Side effects	Nausea or vomiting Stomach upset, gas, or diarrhea Risk of high potassium levels, especially at higher doses	Nausea or vomiting Stomach pain or diarrhea Risk of high potassium levels and stomach irritation or bleeding at higher doses

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. Potassium citrate is used to treat and prevent certain types of kidney stones.

They also come in different dosage forms. Potassium chloride is available as 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:

Side effects: Both medications can cause stomach-related side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Taken with food: It’s recommended to take potassium chloride and potassium citrate with food to reduce stomach-related side effects.
Generic options: Both medications are available in generic versions, which may help you save 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 typical daily doses for each medication.

	Potassium chloride	Potassium citrate
Typical starting dose	To prevent low potassium: 20 mEq per day To treat low potassium: 40 mEq per day	Very low citrate in your urine: 30 mEq, 2 times daily or 20 mEq, 3 times daily Mild to moderately low urine citrate: 15 mEq, 2 times daily or 10 mEq, 3 times daily
Maximum dose	ER capsules, K-Tabs, Klor-Con M tablets: 100 mEq per day in divided doses (no more than 20 mEq per dose) Powder packet or liquid: 200 mEq per day in divided doses (no more than 40 mEq per dose) Klor-Con ER tablets: 100 mEq per day in divided doses (no more than 40 mEq per dose)	100 mEq per day

Can you take potassium chloride and potassium citrate supplements together?

No, potassium chloride and potassium citrate aren’t usually taken together. Even though potassium citrate is used to prevent and treat certain types of kidney stones, it can also raise potassium levels. Taking both supplements at the same time increases your risk of developing high potassium levels in your 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.

Frequently asked questions

For most people, getting potassium from food is a good option. Foods like bananas, potatoes, beans, and yogurt provide potassium along with other important nutrients. Supplements are usually only needed if you have a confirmed medical condition, like low potassium levels, or if you have certain types of kidney stones. Supplements may also be helpful if you take medications that cause you to lose potassium. If you’re unsure which option is right for you, a healthcare professional can help you decide.

Potassium supplements aren’t safe for everyone. People with kidney disease, high potassium levels, or those taking certain medications (like some blood pressure medicines or potassium-sparing diuretics) may need to avoid them. Taking potassium when it isn’t needed can lead to dangerously high potassium levels. Always check with your healthcare professional before starting a supplement.

You can take potassium at the time that works best for you. What matters most is taking it consistently and exactly as prescribed. If you take multiple doses per day, spreading them out can help improve absorption and reduce side effects. Taking potassium with food can also help prevent stomach upset.

The bottom line

Potassium chloride supplements help raise your potassium levels. And potassium citrate supplements are used to treat and prevent certain types of kidney stones. Potassium chloride is available in several different dosage forms, while potassium citrate only has one.

With so many differences, these medications aren’t interchangeable. If you have questions about these medications, your pharmacist or another healthcare professional can help.

why trust our exports reliability shield

Why trust our experts?

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:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Farzon A. Nahvi, MD

Farzon Nahvi, MD, is an emergency medicine physician and author of “Code Gray: Death, Life, and Uncertainty in the ER.” He works at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire, and teaches at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts

References

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.