Type of medicine: potassium supplement
Generic and brand names: potassium chloride, oral; potassium gluconate, oral; potassium supplements, oral; K+8; K+10; K-Dur 10; K-Dur 20; K-Lor; K-Lyte; K-Lyte/Cl; K-Norm; K-Sol; K-Tab; Kaochlor 10%; Kaochlor S-F; Kaon; Kaon Liquid; Kaon-Cl; Kaon-Cl 20%; Kaon-Cl-10; Kay Ciel; Kenalan; Klor-Con; Klor-Con 10; Klor-Con 8; Klor-Con M20; Klorvess Effervescent; Klotrix; Micro-K 10 Extencaps; Micro-K Extencaps (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat or prevent low levels of potassium in the body. This medicine may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or take it longer than prescribed.
To lessen stomach upset, take this medicine with a full glass of water (8 ounces) and a meal or snack.
This medicine comes in tablets, capsules, extended-release tablets and capsules, effervescent tablets, powders, and liquids. Some forms can be crushed and mixed with water, but others should be swallowed whole. Ask your pharmacist about this.
Some tablets are made with a wax center to release the medicine slowly. The wax does not dissolve. You may notice it in your bowel movement. It is not harmful.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: confusion, weakness, numbness, tingling, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness.
Potassium may increase stomach or intestinal irritation. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop severe stomach pain, black tarry stools, or bloody stools.
You may need to have blood tests to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe stomach pain, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, unexplained weakness, severe confusion, trouble breathing, unexplained sore throat, black tarry stools, bloody stools.
Other: Diarrhea, nausea, gas, vomiting.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not take salt substitutes while taking potassium.
You may need to limit or avoid foods high in potassium while you are taking this medicine. Some of these foods are beef, veal, ham, chicken, turkey, fish, milk, bananas, dates, prunes, beans, yams, avocado, watermelon, cantaloupe, apricots, broccoli, brussel sprouts, lentils, potatoes, and spinach. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
