Key takeaways:
If you have low potassium levels (hypokalemia), your healthcare team may recommend a potassium supplement.
Potassium supplements are available over the counter and by prescription. They come in a variety of forms, like tablets, capsules, and powder packets.
Potassium chloride is a first-choice medication for preventing and treating hypokalemia.
Very high or low potassium levels can be very dangerous. So it’s important to work with a healthcare professional to manage your levels.
Potassium is a mineral and electrolyte that has many important jobs in your body. Many of your organs rely on potassium, so it’s important that your body has enough of it.
Potassium is in lots of different foods, so many people get enough from their diet alone. But some people need a potassium supplement to help boost their levels. This may be the case if you have certain medical conditions or take medications that can lower potassium levels. There are different types of potassium supplements, so we’re here to help you understand the options.
Potassium is an important mineral and electrolyte in your body. It helps support many important roles, like nerve transmission, kidney function, and heart and muscle contraction.
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Potassium is in many foods and drinks that you may already eat. Your diet likely gives you enough potassium every day. Common examples include:
Fruits, like raisins, bananas, and dried apricots
Vegetables, like potatoes, zucchini, and tomatoes
Lentils, kidney beans, nuts, and soybeans
Meats, poultry, and fish
Dairy products, like milk and yogurt
Some people may need additional potassium. A cardiologist (heart specialist) may recommend trying a potassium supplement.
Some people need to take a potassium supplement to help keep their potassium levels in an ideal range. Normal potassium levels are usually between 3.5 mEq/L and 5 mEq/L. Staying in this range is important because potassium helps keep your nerves, muscles, and heart in good working order.
Some medications can lower your potassium levels, including:
Diuretics (water pills), like hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide (Lasix)
Short-acting beta agonists, like albuterol
On the other hand, some medications, such as lisinopril, losartan, and spironolactone, can raise potassium levels. And sometimes different medications can help balance out potassium levels. So make sure to talk with your healthcare team before taking supplemental potassium pills.
You may need to check your potassium levels more often if you take these medications. Or you may get a prescription for supplemental potassium pills to keep your levels in range.
If your potassium is less than 3.5 mEq/L, then it’s considered too low (hypokalemia). People generally start to experience hypokalemia symptoms if potassium levels are lower than 3 mEq/L.
Hypokalemia can happen for a variety of reasons. Your primary care provider may do a blood test to check your potassium levels if you’re experiencing symptoms of hypokalemia, including:
Irregular heartbeat
Muscle pain or weakness
If your potassium levels are low, you may need a supplement to bump them up. There are a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription potassium products to choose from:
OTC potassium supplements contain lower amounts of potassium — no more than 99 mg per serving. This is about 2.5 mEq of potassium. Some multivitamins also contain potassium. Multivitamins typically contain a lower amount of potassium (about 80 mg). This is less than most stand-alone potassium products. Check out the “Drug Facts” label to see how much potassium an OTC product contains.
When it comes to prescription medications, potassium doses are higher. These doses are usually written as mEq, not mg. The adult dose for treating hypokalemia is typically 40 mEq to 100 mEq per day. For preventing hypokalemia, the dose is typically 20 mEq per day.
Regardless of form, potassium supplements can upset your stomach. So it’s best to take them with food and plenty of liquid.
Potassium tablets are available as potassium chloride, citrate, bicarbonate, and gluconate. Potassium chloride and potassium citrate tablets are available as OTC and prescription medications. Potassium bicarbonate tablets are available by prescription only, but potassium gluconate is only available OTC.
Potassium chloride tablets are available in a variety of forms, such as K-Tab, Klor-Con, and Klor-Con M. They can prevent and treat hypokalemia. These extended-release (ER) tablets release the potassium more slowly than immediate-release forms — like effervescent tablets. So they may cause less stomach irritation. These tablets come in strengths from 8 mEq to 20 mEq.
Potassium citrate ER tablets (Urocit-K) prevent and treat kidney stones. These tablets should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water. These come as 5 mEq, 10 mEq, and 15 mEq strengths.
Potassium bicarbonate (Effer-K) effervescent tablets can be dissolved in water or juice. These dissolving tablets can be helpful if you have trouble swallowing pills and have low potassium levels. These tablets are available in 10 mEq, 20 mEq, and 25 mEq strengths.
Potassium gluconate is commonly seen in OTC products as a 550 mg tablet. This is equal to about 2.5 mEq of elemental potassium.
Potassium chloride capsules are options for preventing and treating hypokalemia. They can be swallowed whole or sprinkled onto cold or room-temperature soft foods — like applesauce or pudding. The prescription-only capsules come as 8 mEq and 10 mEq of potassium.
They’re not as common, but potassium citrate capsules and powder are also available OTC. They generally come as 99 mg capsules, but doses vary by product.
Potassium chloride also comes as a prescription-only liquid. Klor-Con is an oral liquid that prevents and treats hypokalemia.
Like effervescent tablets, the liquid is a good option if you have trouble swallowing pills. But to prevent stomach irritation, it’s important to first dilute the liquid with at least 4 oz of cold water. The oral liquid comes in concentrations of 10% (1.3 mEq potassium per mL) and 20% (2.6 mEq potassium per mL). But many people opt for another option because liquid potassium has a poor taste.
Potassium chloride comes as an OTC and prescription powder. It prevents and treats hypokalemia. It’s another potassium supplement that may be easier to take than tablets or capsules. Each packet contains 20 mEq of potassium that you dilute in at least 4 oz of cold water.
If you have low potassium levels, your healthcare team can help you decide on the best potassium supplement for you. This will likely come down to your symptoms, personal preferences, and cost.
In general, potassium chloride is a first-choice option for preventing and treating hypokalemia. It’s effective at reversing the most common types of hypokalemia in most cases. It can also help replace chloride lost from diuretic medications, vomiting, or diarrhea. It’s also available in most formulations.
If you have kidney stones or are trying to prevent them from forming, then potassium citrate would be a better option.
Potassium chloride, citrate, and gluconate are all popular potassium salts. They all contain potassium, but there are some differences to know.
Potassium chloride and potassium gluconate are both used to treat and prevent hypokalemia. However, potassium gluconate contains less elemental potassium than potassium chloride. Potassium citrate is used for kidney stones, not hypokalemia.
How much potassium you need every day depends on several factors, like your age, sex, and whether you’re pregnant. Keep in mind that many people get enough potassium from their diet. If your potassium levels are out of balance, your healthcare team will help you figure out how to best meet your body’s needs.
These daily recommended amounts are for total potassium intake (diet and supplements) by age.
Age | Recommended daily amount |
Newborns 0-6 months old | 400 mg |
Infants 7-12 months old | 860 mg |
Children 1-3 years old | 2,000 mg |
Children 4-8 years old | 2,300 mg |
Boys 9-13 years old | 2,500 mg |
Girls 9-13 years old | 2,300 mg |
Teen boys 14-18 years old | 3,000 mg |
Teen girls 14-18 years old | 2,300 mg |
Men 19 years old and older | 3,400 mg |
Women 19 years old and older | 2,600 mg |
Pregnant teens 14-18 years old | 2,600 mg |
Pregnant adults 19 years old and older | 2,900 mg |
Breastfeeding teens 14-18 years old | 2,500 mg |
Breastfeeding adults 19 years old and older | 2,800 mg |
There are a variety of potassium supplements available to prevent and treat low levels of potassium (hypokalemia). Potassium chloride is a first-choice option for managing hypokalemia. Other types of potassium are also available, like potassium gluconate and potassium bicarbonate.
But you shouldn’t try to manage your potassium levels on your own. If you need a potassium supplement, work closely with your healthcare team to find the safest option for you.
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