Adult: Dose and rate of administration are dependent upon the patient's ECG and serum K levels. Recommended administration rates: For serum K level >2.5 mEq/L: Should not exceed 10 mEq/hour or 200 mEq for a 24 hour period. For urgent cases wherein the serum K levels is <2.0 mEq/L or where severe hypokalaemia is a threat: Up to 40 mEq/hour or 400 mEq over a 24 hour period. Administer doses as a diluted solution via slow IV infusion; higher concentrations may need to be administered via central route. Dosage and infusion rate recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).
Oral Hypokalaemia
Adult: Dosage is individualised and adjusted based on patient's need and serum K levels. As extended-release tab or extended-release cap: Prophylaxis: Usual dose: 20 mEq daily. Treatment: Usual dose range: 40-100 mEq daily in 2-4 divided doses. Max: 40 mEq/dose. As powder for oral solution: Prophylaxis: Usual dose: 20 mEq daily. Treatment: Usual dose range: 40-100 mEq daily in 2-5 divided doses. Max: 40 mEq/dose; 200 mEq daily. Dosage recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines). Child: Dosage is individualised and adjusted based on patient's need and serum K levels. As powder for oral solution: Prophylaxis: Usual dose: 1 mEq/kg daily. Max: 3 mEq/kg daily. Treatment: Initially, 2-4 mEq/kg daily in divided doses. Max: 1 mEq/kg/dose or 40 mEq/dose (whichever is lower); 100 mEq daily. Dosage recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).
What are the brands available for Potassium chloride in Hong Kong?
Oral:
Initiate at the lower end of the dosing range.
Administration
Potassium chloride Should be taken with food.
Reconstitution
Powder for oral solution: Dissolve the contents of 1 packet in approx 120 mL of cold water or other beverage. IV infusion: Concentration of infusion may be dependent on the patient's condition and local guidelines. Refer to specific product and local guidelines. Do not administer undiluted or via IV push or rapid IV infusion.
Incompatibility
IV: Incompatible with amphotericin B, amikacin and dobutamine. Recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).
Contraindications
Hyperkalaemia. IV: Hyperchloraemia, Addison's disease, acute dehydration, heat cramps, extensive tissue breakdown (e.g. severe burns), metabolic disorders, ventricular fibrillation, AV or intraventricular heart block, impaired renal function with oliguria, anuria or azotaemia. Tab or cap: Structural, pathological and/or pharmacologic cause for delay or arrest in the passage through the gastrointestinal tract. Concomitant use with K-sparing diuretics (e.g. triamterene, amiloride).
Special Precautions
Patient with acid-base alterations or corrections, CV disease (e.g. heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias); cirrhosis. Renal impairment. Neonates, children, and elderly. Pregnancy and lactation.
Adverse Reactions
Significant: IV infusion: Hypersensitivity or infusion reactions (e.g. anaphylaxis, chills), cardiac conduction disorders (including complete heart block) or other cardiac arrhythmias; extravasation, tissue damage (including vascular, nerve and tendon damage), hyponatraemia; overhydration or hypervolaemia, congested states including central and peripheral oedema; new-onset or exacerbate hyperchloraemia. Oral: Gastrointestinal upset and irritation (e.g. nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort), leading to gastrointestinal ulceration, bleeding, perforation and/or obstruction; ulcerative and/or stenotic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (tab or cap). Cardiac disorders: Bradycardia, chest pain. General disorders and administration site conditions: Inj site reaction (e.g. burning, erythema, pain, phlebitis, irritation, swelling). Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Dyspnoea. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Rarely, rash. Potentially Fatal: Hyperkalaemia.
Monitor serum K and other electrolytes (e.g. Ca, Mg, Na, chloride, phosphate), acid-base balance, renal function; IV infusion site. Perform cardiac monitoring.
Overdosage
Symptoms: Paraesthesia of the extremities, listlessness, mental confusion, cold skin, grey pallor, fall in blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, heart block, and extremely high plasma K concentration (8-11 mEq/L) causing cardiac depression, arrhythmias or arrest. Management: Discontinue K chloride, other agents and foods with K or which increase serum K levels. May administer Ca gluconate to reduce cardiac effects. May give IV infusion of 300-500 mL/hour 10% or 25% glucose solutions containing up to 10 units of insulin for each 20 g of glucose to reduce serum K levels. May administer IV Na bicarbonate to correct acidosis, if present. Continuously monitor ECG for arrhythmias and electrolyte changes especially serum K levels. Use exchange resins and perform haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis if necessary.
Drug Interactions
May increase the risk of hyperkalaemia with ACE inhibitors, ARBs, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, aliskiren and NSAIDs. May cause further decrease in plasma K concentration with glucose infusions (IV). Increased risk of hyponatraemia with diuretics, antiepileptics and psychotropics (IV). Potentially Fatal: Increased risk of severe hyperkalaemia with K-sparing diuretics (e.g. triamterene, amiloride, spironolactone).
Action
Description: Mechanism of Action: Potassium is the principal intracellular cation of most body tissues. It is essential in physiological processes, including conduction of nerve impulses in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle; contraction of cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscles; maintenance of normal renal function, acid-base balance, carbohydrate metabolism and gastric secretion. Pharmacokinetics: Absorption: Well and readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Distribution: Distributed into cells via active transport from extracellular fluid. Excretion: Mainly via urine; skin and faeces (small amounts).
Chemical Structure
Potassium chloride Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 4873, Potassium Chloride. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Potassium-Chloride. Accessed Apr. 29, 2025.
Storage
Store between 20-25°C. Protect from light and moisture.
B05XA01 - potassium chloride ; Belongs to the class of electrolyte solutions used in I.V. solutions. A12BA01 - potassium chloride ; Belongs to the class of potassium-containing preparations. Used as dietary supplements.
References
Buckingham R (ed). Potassium. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 06/05/2024.Infusol K 100 mmol/L, 200 mmol/L and 400 mmol/L (Ain Medicare Sdn. Bhd.). National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency - Ministry of Health Malaysia. https://www.npra.gov.my. Accessed 06/05/2024.Joint Formulary Committee. Potassium Chloride. British National Formulary [online]. London. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 06/05/2024.K-Lyte 600 mg Tablet (ACME). MIMS Philippines. http://www.mims.com/philippines. Accessed 23/04/2025.Kalium Durules 750 mg Tablet (Interphil Laboratories, Inc.). MIMS Philippines. http://www.mims.com/philippines. Accessed 06/05/2024.Paediatric Formulary Committee. Potassium Chloride. BNF for Children [online]. London. BMJ Group, Pharmaceutical Press, and RCPCH Publications. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 06/05/2024.Pharmacy Retailing New Zealand Limited. Span-K Sustained Release Tablet data sheet April 2019. Medsafe. http://www.medsafe.govt.nz. Accessed 06/05/2024.Potassium Chloride Capsule, Extended Release (Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 06/05/2024.Potassium Chloride Concentrate 15% (Hameln Pharma Ltd). MHRA. https://products.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed 06/05/2024.Potassium Chloride Concentrate 20% (Hameln Pharma Ltd). MHRA. https://products.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed 06/05/2024.Potassium Chloride Extended Release Tablet (Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc.). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 06/05/2024.Potassium Chloride for Solution (Granules Pharmaceuticals Inc.). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 06/05/2024.Potassium Chloride Injection (Nexus Pharmaceuticals Inc.). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 06/05/2024.Potassium Chloride. Gold Standard Drug Database in ClinicalKey [online]. Elsevier Inc. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed 06/05/2024.Potassium Chloride. UpToDate Lexidrug, Lexi-Drugs Multinational Online. Waltham, MA. UpToDate, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 06/05/2024.Potassium Chloride. UpToDate Lexidrug, Pediatric and Neonatal Lexi-Drugs Online. Waltham, MA. UpToDate, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 06/05/2024.Potaxine Injection 10% W/V (10 mL Ampoule) (Duopharma [M] Sdn. Bhd.). National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency - Ministry of Health Malaysia. https://www.npra.gov.my. Accessed 06/05/2024.Potrelease TR Tablet (SM Pharmaceuticals Sdn. Bhd.). National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency - Ministry of Health Malaysia. https://www.npra.gov.my. Accessed 06/05/2024.
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