Potassium chloride is a prescription medication used to treat and prevent low potassium levels due to poor dietary intake, certain diseases, or other drugs. Potassium chloride belongs to a group of drugs called
electrolytes
, which are compounds that help the body function normally.
Is potassium chloride used in medicine?
Potassium chloride is
used to prevent or to treat low blood levels of potassium (hypokalemia)
. Potassium levels can be low as a result of a disease or from taking certain medicines, or after a prolonged illness with diarrhea or vomiting.
Is potassium chloride a medication?
Potassium chloride is
a medicine used to prevent or treat low potassium levels in the body
. Potassium is a mineral that your body needs for proper functioning of the heart, muscles, kidneys, nerves, and digestive system.
Why would a doctor prescribe potassium chloride?
Potassium chloride is
used to prevent or to treat low blood levels of potassium (hypokalemia)
. Potassium levels can be low as a result of a disease or from taking certain medicines, or after a prolonged illness with diarrhea or vomiting.
Can you get potassium chloride over-the-counter?
Potassium Chloride is only available with a prescription but
alternative brand-names can be bought over-the-counter
. Typically, Potassium Chloride costs about $359.99 but you can use a Potassium Chloride coupon to reduce this cost to $48.99.
What are the side effects of taking potassium chloride?
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- gas,
- abdominal pain or discomfort, and.
- diarrhea.
When should you not take potassium chloride?
You should not use potassium chloride if you are
allergic to
it, or if: you have high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia); or. you take a “potassium-sparing” diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride, spironolactone, or triamterene.
Is potassium chloride good for health?
Potassium chloride is a
healthful salt substitute
that can be used by food companies that want to obtain lower levels of sodium in the processed foods they make.
What are the signs of a potassium deficiency?
- Constipation.
- Feeling of skipped heart beats or palpitations.
- Fatigue.
- Muscle damage.
- Muscle weakness or spasms.
- Tingling or numbness.
Why should you not lie down after taking potassium?
Sucking on a potassium tablet can irritate your mouth or throat. Avoid lying down for
at least 30 minutes after you
take this medication.
Can potassium chloride contribute to heart failure?
Untreated high potassium levels in
your blood can cause further heart problems. Hyperkalemia can lead to an irregular heartbeat, known as an arrhythmia. It can even result in a heart attack or death if it's not diagnosed and treated.
How does potassium chloride affect the heart?
Injection of KCl regularly
induces acceleration of the heart rate
and an increase in blood pressure. With bradykinin both accelerations and decelerations were observed (with or without accompanying pressor or depressor responses respectively).
How long does potassium chloride stay in your system?
Increased urinary potassium excretion is first observed 1 hour after administration of Klor-Con® Extended-release Tablets, reaches a peak at approximately 4 hours, and extends
up to 8 hours
.
What happens if you take too much potassium chloride?
Diarrhea, stomach pain, muscle weakness, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or mouth, uneven heartbeat
. Side effects are more likely if high dosages of potassium chloride are being taken. May not be suitable for some people including those with kidney failure, Addison's disease, severe burns, or severe wounds.
What is the generic name for potassium chloride?
Potassium chloride is used to treat and prevent low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia). Potassium chloride is available under the following different brand and other names:
KDur
, Slow K, Kaon Cl 10, KCl, K10, Klor-Con M, Klor Con M10, Klor Con M15, Klor Con M20, KlorCon, Klotrix, KTab, MicroK, and K8.
How much potassium does it take to stop a heart?
“You would probably need
around 400 bananas a day
to build up the kind of potassium levels that would cause your heart to stop beating…
