Potassium chloride sustained-release oral

Therapeutic action

Potassium supplement.

Indications

Hypokalaemia induced by thiazide diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide and loop diuretics such as furosemide.

Forms and strengths

• 600 mg potassium chloride sustained-release tablet providing 8 mmol of potassium.

Dose

Do not exceed indicated doses if potassium serum levels cannot be measured.

• Adult: 15 to 25 mmol daily, corresponding to 1 tablet 2 to 3 times daily.

Duration

According to clinical response and duration of diuretic treatment.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Administer with caution and reduce dosage in elderly patients and patients with renal impairment because of the risk of hyperkalaemia.
• Do not combine with spironolactone and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors such as enalapril.
• May cause hyperkalaemia, gastroduodenal ulcerations, diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting.
• Pregnancy: no contra-indication.
• Breast-feeding: no contra-indication.
• Take with or at the end of meals to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal ulcerations.