• Treatment/prevention of potassium depletion.

Contraindicated in:

• Hyperkalemia
• Severe renal impairment
• Untreated Addison’s disease
• Some products may contain tartrazine (FDC yellow dye #5) or alcohol; avoid using in patients with known hypersensitivity or intolerance
• Hyperkalemic familial periodic paralysis.

Use Cautiously in:

• Cardiac disease
• Renal impairment
• Diabetes mellitus (liquids may contain sugar)
• Hypomagnesemia (may make correction of hypokalemia more difficult)
• GI hypomotility including dysphagia or esophageal compression from left atrial enlargement (tablets, capsules)
• Patients receiving potassium-sparing drugs.

CNS: confusion, restlessness, weakness.

CV: ARRHYTHMIAS, ECG changes.

GI: abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, vomiting.
tablets, capsules only: GI ulceration, stenotic lesions.

Neuro: paralysis, paresthesia.

Drug-Drug:

• Use with potassium-sparing diuretics or ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists may lead to hyperkalemia.
• Anticholinergics may ↑ GI mucosal lesions in patients taking wax-matrix potassium chloride preparations.

Potassium Bicarbonate

• Tablets for effervescent oral solution: 25 mEq;

Potassium Bicarbonate/Potassium Chloride

• Packets for effervescent oral solution: 20 mEq/2.8-g packet;
• Tablets for effervescent oral solution: 12 mEq; 20 mEq; 25 mEq; 50 mEq;

Potassium Bicarbonate/Potassium Citrate

• Tablets for effervescent oral solution: 25 mEq; 50 mEq;

Potassium Chloride/Potassium Bicarbonate/Potassium Citrate

• Tablets for effervescent oral solution: 20 mEq;

Trikates (Potassium Acetate/Potassium Bicarbonate/Potassium Citrate)

• Oral solution: 15 mEq/5 mL;

Normal Daily Requirements

• PO (Adults): 40–80 mEq/day.
• PO (Children): 2–3 mEq/kg/day.
• PO (Neonates): 2–6 mEq/kg/day.

Prevention of hypokalemia during Diuretic Therapy

• PO (Adults): 20–40 mEq/day in 1–2 divided doses; single dose should not exceed 20 mEq.
• PO (Neonates , Infants and Children): 1–2 mEq/kg/day in 1–2 divided doses.

Treatment of Hypokalemia

• PO (Adults): 40–100 mEq/day in divided doses.
• PO (Neonates , Infants and Children): 2–5 mEq/kg/day in divided doses.

potassium bicarbonate: K+Care ET, K-Electrolyte, K-Ide, Klor-Con/EF, K-Lyte, K-Vescent

potassium bicarbonate/potassium chloride: Klorvess, Klorvess Effervescent Granules, K-Lyte/Cl

potassium bicarbonate/potassium citrate: Effer-K, K-Lyte DS

potassium chloride/potassium bicarbonate/potassium citrate: Kaochlor Eff

trikates (potassium acetate/potassium bicarbonate/potassium citrate): Tri-K

• Maintain acid-base balance, isotonicity, and electrophysiologic balance of the cell.
• Activator in many enzymatic reactions; essential to transmission of nerve impulses; contraction of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle; gastric secretion; renal function; tissue synthesis; and carbohydrate metabolism.

• Replacement.
• Prevention of deficiency.

Therapeutic Classification: mineral and electrolyte replacements/supplements

Absorption: Well absorbed following oral administration.

Distribution: Enters extracellular fluid; then actively transported into cells.

Metabolism/Excretion: Excreted by the kidneys.

Half-life: Unknown.

potassium bicarbonate/potassium chloride: Neo-K, Potassium Sandoz

(increase in serum potassium levels)

• Explain to patient purpose of the medication and the need to take as directed, especially when concurrent digoxin or diuretics are taken. A missed dose should be taken as soon as remembered within 2 hr; if not, return to regular dose schedule. Do not double dose.
• Emphasize correct method of administration. GI irritation or ulceration may result from chewing enteric-coated tablets or insufficient dilution of liquid or powder forms.
• Instruct patient to avoid salt substitutes or low-salt milk or food unless approved by health care professional. Patient should be advised to read all labels to prevent excess potassium intake.
• Advise patient regarding sources of dietary potassium (see Appendix M). Encourage compliance with recommended diet.
• Instruct patient to report dark, tarry, or bloody stools; weakness; unusual fatigue; or tingling of extremities. Notify health care professional if nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach discomfort persists. Dosage may require adjustment.
• Emphasize the importance of regular follow-up exams to monitor serum levels and progress.

poe-TASS-ee-um bi-CAR-bon-ate

NDC Code^*

• 0245- Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.
  • 0245-5326- KLOR-Con/EF
    • 0245-5326-01- 100 POUCH in 1 CARTON (0245-5326-01) > 1 TABLET, EFFERVESCENT in 1 POUCH (0245-5326-89)

• 0245- Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.
  • 0245-5326- KLOR-Con/EF
    • 0245-5326-30- 30 POUCH in 1 CARTON (0245-5326-30) > 1 TABLET, EFFERVESCENT in 1 POUCH (0245-5326-89)

• 0603- Qualitest Pharmaceuticals
  • 0603-4170- K-EFFERVESCENT
    • 0603-4170-16- 30 TABLET, EFFERVESCENT in 1 BOX (0603-4170-16)

• 0904- Major Pharmaceuticals
  • 0904-2720- K-Vescent Efffervescent
    • 0904-2720-46- 30 TABLET, EFFERVESCENT in 1 BOX (0904-2720-46)

• 51801- Nomax Inc.
  • 51801-001- Effer-K Orange
    • 51801-001-30- 30 POUCH in 1 CARTON (51801-001-30) > 1 TABLET, EFFERVESCENT in 1 POUCH

• 51801- Nomax Inc.
  • 51801-001- Effer-K Orange
    • 51801-001-40- 100 POUCH in 1 CARTON (51801-001-40) > 1 TABLET, EFFERVESCENT in 1 POUCH

• 51801- Nomax Inc.
  • 51801-005- Effer-K Lemon Citrus
    • 51801-005-30- 30 POUCH in 1 CARTON (51801-005-30) > 1 TABLET, EFFERVESCENT in 1 POUCH

• 51801- Nomax Inc.
  • 51801-006- Effer-K Cherry Berry
    • 51801-006-30- 30 POUCH in 1 CARTON (51801-006-30) > 1 TABLET, EFFERVESCENT in 1 POUCH

• 51801- Nomax Inc.
  • 51801-007- Effer-K Unflavored
    • 51801-007-30- 30 POUCH in 1 CARTON (51801-007-30) > 1 TABLET, EFFERVESCENT in 1 POUCH

• 51801- Nomax Inc.
  • 51801-011- Effer-K 20 mEq Unflavored
    • 51801-011-30- 30 POUCH in 1 CARTON (51801-011-30) > 1 TABLET, EFFERVESCENT in 1 POUCH

• 51801- Nomax Inc.
  • 51801-012- Effer-K 20 mEq Orange Cream
    • 51801-012-30- 30 POUCH in 1 CARTON (51801-012-30) > 1 TABLET, EFFERVESCENT in 1 POUCH

• 51801- Nomax Inc.
  • 51801-013- Effer-K 10 mEq Unflavored
    • 51801-013-30- 30 POUCH in 1 CARTON (51801-013-30) > 1 TABLET, EFFERVESCENT in 1 POUCH

• 51801- Nomax Inc.
  • 51801-014- Effer-K 10 mEq Cherry Vanilla
    • 51801-014-30- 30 POUCH in 1 CARTON (51801-014-30) > 1 TABLET, EFFERVESCENT in 1 POUCH

• 66758- Sandoz Inc.
  • 66758-140- KLOR-CON/EF
    • 66758-140-34- 30 POUCH in 1 CARTON (66758-140-34) > 1 TABLET, EFFERVESCENT in 1 POUCH (66758-140-94)

• 66758- Sandoz Inc.
  • 66758-140- KLOR-CON/EF
    • 66758-140-81- 100 POUCH in 1 CARTON (66758-140-81) > 1 TABLET, EFFERVESCENT in 1 POUCH (66758-140-94)