POTASSIUM CHLORIDE immediate-release oral

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    Last updated: February 2024

     

    Prescription under medical supervision

     

     
    For long-term use (i.e. in combination with potassium-depleting diuretics), use only sustained-release formulations.

     

    Therapeutic action

    • Potassium supplement, when immediate effect is required

    Indications

    • Treatment of moderate hypokalaemia

    Forms and strengths

    • 7.5% potassium chloride syrup (1 mmol of K+/ml), to be administered using a measuring device (oral syringe, mesuring spoon, or cup with graduations)

    Dosage

    • Child under 45 kg: 2 mmol/kg (2 ml/kg) daily (see table below)
    • Child 45 kg and over and adult: 30 mmol (30 ml) 3 times daily

     

    Age

    Weight

    7.5% syrup

    < 2 months

    < 5 kg

    4 ml x 2

    2 months to < 1 year

    5 to < 10 kg

    6 ml x 2

    1 to < 3 years

    10 to < 15 kg

    12 ml x 2

    3 to < 5 years

    15 to < 20 kg

    20 ml x 2

    5 to < 7 years

    20 to < 25 kg

    25 ml x 2

    7 to < 9 years

    25 to < 30 kg

    20 ml x 3

    9 to < 13 years

    30 to < 45 kg

    25 ml x 3

    ≥ 13 years and adult

    ≥ 45 kg

    30 ml x 3

     

    Duration

    • According to clinical response. Treatment of 1 to 2 days is typically sufficient when the patient is fully able to drink oral rehydration solution and can eat.

    Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

    • Reduce dosage in older patients and patients with renal impairment (risk of hyperkalaemia).
    • Do not combine with spironolactone and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (e.g. enalapril).
    • May cause: gastrointestinal ulcerations, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, rarely hyperkalaemia.
    • Administer with caution to patients with gastrointestinal ulcer (risk of gastrointestinal ulcerations).
    • Pregnancy: no contra-indication
    • Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

    Remarks

    • Take with or at the end meals in order to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal ulcerations.
    • Hypokalaemia is defined as a serum potassium concentration below 3.5 mmol/litre.

    Storage

    Below 25 °C