1 May 2026Potentially dangerous, obsolete, or ineffective

Potassium chloride 10% = KCl 10% injectable

Potassium chloride 10% injectable guidance for severe hypokalaemia, with dilution-only use and infusion monitoring.

Prescription under medical supervision

This guide page is for structured reference only and does not replace a clinician, pharmacist, or emergency review. Dose choice, route choice, interactions, and safety decisions still need professional judgment.

Indications

Treatment of severe hypokalaemia (arrhythmia, marked muscular weakness, rhabdomyolysis or serum potassium level 2.5 mmol/litre or less).

Forms and strengths, route of administration

Ampoule containing 10% potassium chloride hypertonic solution (100 mg/ml, 10 ml), i.e. 1 g of potassium chloride per 10 ml ampoule.

Ionic composition per 10 ml ampoule: potassium 13.4 mmol (13.4 mEq) and chloride 13.4 mmol (13.4 mEq).

Check concentration before use: potassium chloride also comes in ampoules containing 7.5%, 11.2%, 15% and 20% solutions.

Potassium chloride must always be administered by slow IV infusion, diluted in 0.9% sodium chloride.

For dilution, the potassium concentration in the infusion fluid should not exceed 40 mmol/litre.
Mix thoroughly the potassium and the 0.9% sodium chloride solution by inverting at least 5 times the infusion bottle or bag.

Dosage and duration

Dosage depends on the severity of hypokalaemia and the patient’s underlying condition.

Child over 1 month

0.2 mmol/kg/hour for 3 hours.
Each mmol of potassium is diluted in 25 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride.
10 kg: 6 mmol (4.5 ml of 10% KCl solution) diluted in 150 ml of NaCl 0.9% and administered over 3 hours.
15 kg: 9 mmol (6.5 ml of 10% KCl solution) diluted in 225 ml of NaCl 0.9% and administered over 3 hours.

Adult

40 mmol (3 ampoules of 10 ml of 10% KCl) in one litre of 0.9% sodium chloride, to be administered over 4 hours.
Do not exceed 10 mmol/hour.
The infusion may be repeated if severe symptoms persist or if the serum potassium level remains below 3 mmol/litre.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

Administer with caution to elderly patients.
Administer with caution and reduce the dose in patients with renal impairment.
May cause hyperkalaemia and potentially fatal cardiac conduction and rhythm disorders in the event of rapid or excessive administration.
May cause necrosis in the event of extravasation.
Infusion must be constantly monitored.

Source

MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)

This page reproduces the structured reference information for this batch while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections.

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