Potassium chloride
Also sold as: Slow-K
Usual adult dose
Dose is set by your doctor based on blood potassium tests; slow-release tablets of 600 mg (8 mmol) are often taken two to three times a day. Swallow tablets whole with water after food while sitting upright. Infusions are given only in hospital.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- stomach discomfort
- diarrhoea
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- irregular or slow heartbeat
- muscle weakness
- black or bloody stools
- severe throat or stomach pain
Do not take it, or take care, if
- High potassium in the blood
- Serious kidney disease
- Taking spironolactone, ACE inhibitors or ARBs without a doctor checking potassium
- Narrowing of the food pipe or slow stomach emptying
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious11 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Candesartan
Potassium supplements with an ARB can cause dangerously high potassium.
- Captopril
Potassium supplements with ACE inhibitors can cause dangerously high potassium.
- Enalapril
ACE inhibitors raise potassium; adding potassium chloride can cause dangerous high potassium.
- Irbesartan
Potassium supplements with an ARB can cause dangerously high potassium.
- Lisinopril
Potassium supplements with ACE inhibitors can cause dangerously high potassium.
- Losartan
Losartan raises potassium; adding potassium chloride can cause dangerous high potassium.
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- Perindopril
Potassium supplements with ACE inhibitors can cause dangerously high potassium.
- Ramipril
Potassium supplements with ACE inhibitors can cause dangerously high potassium.
- Spironolactone
Both raise potassium; together they can cause dangerous high potassium.
- Telmisartan
Potassium supplements with an ARB can cause dangerously high potassium.
- Valsartan
Potassium supplements with an ARB can cause dangerously high potassium.