potassium chloride

Adult Dosing .

Dosage forms:  ER CAP: 8 mEq, 10 mEq; ER TAB: 8 mEq, 10 mEq, 15 mEq, 20 mEq; PWDR: 20 mEq per pkt, 25 mEq per pkt; SOL: 20 mEq per 15 mL, 40 mEq per 15 mL; INJ: various

hypokalemia tx

[PO route]

Dose: 40-100 mEq/day PO in 2-5 divided doses; Max: 40 mEq/dose; 200 mEq/day; Info: individualize dose based on serum potassium level; IV route preferred if K <2.5 mEq/L; give w/ food; do not cut/crush/chew ER tab, though may cut or dissolve microencapsulated ER tab; may open ER cap, but do not chew/crush/dissolve contents

[IV route]

Dose: up to 10 mEq/h IV; Max: 10 mEq/h up to 200 mEq/day; Info: max 40 mEq/h up to 400 mEq/day if K <2 mEq/L w/ ECG changes and/or muscle paralysis; individualize dose based on serum potassium level

hypokalemia prevention

[20-25 mEq PO qd]

Max: 40 mEq/dose; Info: individualize dose based on serum potassium level; give w/ food; do not cut/crush/chew ER tab, though may cut or dissolve microencapsulated ER tab; may open ER cap, but do not chew/crush/dissolve contents

renal dosing

[see below]

renal impairment: consider decr. usual start dose; renal failure: IV use contraindicated

HD/PD: not defined

hepatic dosing

[see below]

cirrhosis: consider decr. usual start dose

Peds Dosing .

Dosage forms:  ER CAP: 8 mEq, 10 mEq; ER TAB: 8 mEq, 10 mEq, 15 mEq, 20 mEq; PWDR: 20 mEq per pkt, 25 mEq per pkt; SOL: 20 mEq per 15 mL, 40 mEq per 15 mL; INJ: various

hypokalemia tx

[1-4 mEq/kg/day PO divided bid-qid]

Max: 20 mEq/dose PO; 1 mEq/kg/h IV; Alt: 0.5 mEq/kg/h IV x1-2h; Info: individualize dose based on serum potassium level; IV route preferred if K <2.5 mEq/L; give oral products w/ food; do not cut/crush/chew ER tab, though may cut or dissolve microencapsulated ER tab; may open ER cap, but do not chew/crush/dissolve contents

hypokalemia prevention

[1-2 mEq/kg/day PO divided qd-bid]

Max: 20 mEq/dose; Info: individualize dose based on serum potassium level; give w/ food; do not cut/crush/chew ER tab, though may cut or dissolve microencapsulated ER tab; may open ER cap, but do not chew/crush/dissolve contents

renal dosing

[see below]

renal impairment: consider decr. usual start dose; renal failure: IV use contraindicated

HD/PD: not defined

hepatic dosing

[see below]

cirrhosis: consider decr. usual start dose