Potassium chloride 15% = KCl 15% injectable
Potassium chloride 15% injectable guidance for severe hypokalaemia, with dilution-only IV infusion dosing and monitoring precautions.
Indications
Treatment of severe hypokalaemia, including arrhythmia, marked muscular weakness, and/or serum potassium level 2.5 mmol/litre or less.
Forms and strengths, route of administration
This drug should only be used by well-trained personnel in well-equipped hospitals.
Ampoule containing 15% potassium chloride hypertonic solution (150 mg/ml, 10 ml = 2 mmol/ml), i.e. 1.5 g of potassium chloride per 10 ml ampoule.
Ionic composition: potassium 20 mmol per 10 ml ampoule (20 mEq) and chloride 20 mmol per 10 ml ampoule (20 mEq).
Check concentration before use: potassium chloride also comes in ampoules containing 7.5%, 10%, 11.2%, and 20% solutions.
Dosage and duration
Dosage depends on the severity of hypokalaemia and the patient's underlying condition.
Potassium chloride must always be administered by slow IV infusion, diluted in 0.9% sodium chloride.
The potassium concentration in the infusion fluid should not exceed 40 mmol/litre.
Mix thoroughly the potassium and 0.9% sodium chloride solution by inverting the infusion bottle or bag at least 5 times.
Never use by direct undiluted IV, IM, or SC injection.
- Child over one month: 0.2 mmol/kg/hour for 3 hours. Each mmol of potassium is diluted in 25 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride.
- Do not exceed 10 mmol/hour. The infusion may be repeated if severe symptoms persist or if the serum potassium level remains under 3 mmol/litre.
- Adult: 40 mmol (2 ampoules of 10 ml of 15% KCl) in one litre of 0.9% sodium chloride, administered over 4 hours.
| Weight | Dilution and administration |
|---|---|
| 10 kg | 0.2 mmol x 10 kg = 2 mmol/hour x 3 hours = 6 mmol. Dilute 6 mmol (3 ml of 15% KCl solution) in 150 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride and administer over 3 hours. |
| 15 kg | 0.2 mmol x 15 kg = 3 mmol/hour x 3 hours = 9 mmol. Dilute 9 mmol (4.5 ml of 15% KCl solution) in 225 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride and administer over 3 hours. |
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Administer with caution to older adults.
- Administer with caution and reduce the dose in patients with renal impairment because of increased risk of hyperkalaemia.
- May cause pain at infusion site, venous irritation, and phlebitis. Use a large peripheral vein to reduce these risks.
- Too rapid administration or overdose may cause hyperkalaemia and potentially fatal cardiac conduction and rhythm disorders.
- Extravasation may cause necrosis.
- Monitor infusion rate, using an infusion pump or syringe pump if possible to prevent unintentional bolus.
- Monitor infusion site for redness and inflammation.
- Monitor electrolytes if possible to determine the need for further infusions and avoid hyperkalaemia.
- Higher dose or infusion rate requires continuous electrocardiogram monitoring.
- Potassium chloride is also used to prevent hypokalaemia in patients unable to meet daily requirements by oral route.
- Daily potassium requirements are 2 to 3 mmol/kg daily in children and 1 to 2 mmol/kg daily in adults.
- A 7.5% potassium solution contains 1 mmol/ml; a 10% solution contains 1.34 mmol/ml; an 11.2% solution contains 1.5 mmol/ml; and a 20% solution contains 2.68 mmol/ml.
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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