Tascit Overdosage

Overdosage with potassium salts may cause hyperkalemia and alkalosis, especially in the presence of renal disease. It is necessary to recognize that hyperkalemia is usually asymptomatic and may be manifested only by an increased serum potassium concentration and characteristic electrocardiographic changes (peaking T-wave, loss of P-wave, depression of S-T segment and prolongation of the QT interval). Late manifestations include muscle paralysis and cardiovascular collapse from cardiac arrest.
Measures for treating hyperkalemia include the following: Patients should be closely monitored for arrhythmias and electrolyte changes.
Elimination of potassium-containing medications and of agents with potassium sparing properties such as potassium-sparing diuretics, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), certain nutritional supplements and many others.
Elimination of foods containing high levels of potassium such as almonds, bananas, beans, grapefruit juice, halibut, milk, salmon, spinach, tuna and many others.
Intravenous calcium gluconate if the patient is at no risk or low risk of developing digitalis toxicity.
Intravenous administration of 300 to 500 mL/hr of 10% dextrose solution containing 10 to 20 units of crystalline insulin per 1000 mL.
Correction of acidosis, if present, with intravenous sodium bicarbonate.
Hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
Exchange resins may be used. However, this measure alone is not sufficient for the acute treatment of hyperkalemia.
Lowering potassium levels too rapidly in patients taking digitalis can produce digitalis toxicity.