high potassium level
(poe TAH see um)
Cena K, Glu-K, K+Care, K-10, K-Dur, K-Lor, K-Norm, K-Tab, Kaochlor, Kaon-CI, Kato,Kay Ciel, Klor-Con, Klorvess, Klotrix, Micro-K, Slow-K, Ten-K
What is the most important information I should know about potassium chloride?
• Take each dose with a full glass of water high potassium level.
• Take potassium chloride with food or milk to lessen stomach upset high potassium level.
• Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets or capsules high potassium level. Swallow them whole high potassium level. They are specially formulated to release medicine slowly in the body high potassium level. If youhave problems swallowing, ask your doctor about other forms of potassium high potassium level.
• Mix the liquid with at least 4 ounces (one-half cup) of water or juice high potassium level. Mix it thoroughly and drink it immediately high potassium level. Do not drink the liquid withoutdiluting it first high potassium level.
• Do not use a salt substitute while taking potassium chloride withoutfirst talking to your doctor high potassium level. Salt substitutes may contain potassium high potassium level. You mayget too much potassium and experience side effects if you use these products high potassium level.
What is potassium chloride?
• Potassium is a mineral that is found naturally in foods and is necessaryfor many normal functions of the body, especially beating of the heart high potassium level.
• Potassium chloride is used to prevent or to treat a potassium deficiency high potassium level.
• Potassium chloride may also be used for purposes other than those listedin this medication guide high potassium level.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking potassium chloride?
• Before taking potassium chloride, tell your doctor if you
· have kidney disease;
· are taking a potassium-sparing diuretic such as triamterene (Dyrenium,Dyazide, Maxzide), spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), or amiloride (Midamor,Moduretic);
· have Addison's disease;
· have an ulcer or an intestinal blockage; or
· have chronic diarrhea high potassium level.
• You may not be able to take potassium chloride, or you may require adosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any ofthe conditions listed above high potassium level.
• Potassium chloride is in the FDA pregnancy category C high potassium level. This means thatit is not known whether potassium chloride will be harmful to an unborn baby high potassium level. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you arepregnant or could become pregnant during treatment high potassium level.
• It is not known whether potassium passes into breast milk high potassium level. Do not takepotassium chloride without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby high potassium level.
How should I take potassium chloride?
• Take potassium chloride exactly as directed by your doctor high potassium level. If you donot understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explainthem to you high potassium level.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water high potassium level.
• Take potassium chloride with food or milk to lessen stomach upset high potassium level.
• Mix the powder or liquid with at least 4 ounces (one-half cup) of wateror juice high potassium level. Mix it thoroughly and drink it immediately high potassium level. Do not drink the liquidwithout diluting it first high potassium level.
• Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets or capsules high potassium level. Swallow them whole high potassium level. They are specially formulated to release medicine slowly in the body high potassium level. If youhave problems swallowing, ask your doctor about other forms of potassium high potassium level.
• Do not worry if you find a wax capsule in the stool high potassium level. The capsule is formulatedto be passed out in the stool, but the drug has been absorbed by the body high potassium level.
• It is important to take potassium chloride regularly to get the mostbenefit high potassium level.
• Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluationsduring treatment with potassium chloride to monitor progress and side effects high potassium level.
• Store potassium chloride at room temperature away from moisture and heat high potassium level.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember high potassium level. If it is almost time forthe next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduleddose high potassium level. Do not take a double dose of this medication high potassium level.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected high potassium level.
• Symptoms of a potassium chloride overdose may include paralysis; numbnessor tingling in the hands, arms, legs, or feet; an irregular heartbeat; low bloodpressure (dizziness, confusion, weakness, fatigue); seizures; coma; and heartattack high potassium level.
What should I avoid while taking potassium chloride?
• Do not use a salt substitute while taking potassium chloride withoutfirst talking to your doctor high potassium level. Salt substitutes may contain potassium high potassium level. You mayget too much potassium and experience side effects if you use these products high potassium level.
What are the possible side effects of potassium chloride?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingpotassium chloride and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctorimmediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· confusion;
· an irregular heartbeat;
· difficulty breathing;
· unusual fatigue, weakness, or heavy legs;
· abdominal pain or severe cramping;
· black, bloody, or tarry stools high potassium level.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur high potassium level. Continueto take potassium chloride and talk to your doctor if you experience
· nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort;
· a rash;
· slight tingling in the hands or feet; or
· anxiety high potassium level.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur high potassium level. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome high potassium level.
What other drugs will affect potassium chloride?
• Before taking potassium chloride, tell your doctor if you are takingany of the following medicines:
· an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor) such asbenazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril(Monopril), lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril),ramipril (Altace), and others;
· a potassium-sparing diuretic such as triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide,Maxzide), spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), and amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic);
· a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), propranolol (Inderal),acebutolol (Sectral), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), labetalol (Normodyne,Trandate), nadolol (Corgard), metoprolol (Lopressor), pindolol (Visken), andothers; and
· digoxin (Lanoxin);
· a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril, HCTZ,others), chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), metolazone (Zaroxolyn), indapamide(Lozol), and others;
· a steroid such as prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others), cortisone(Cortone), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone, others), or dexamethasone (Decadron,Hexadrol); or
· an anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others),naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), or ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis,Oruvail) high potassium level.
• You may not be able to take potassium chloride, or you may require adosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicineslisted above high potassium level.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with potassium chlorideor affect your condition high potassium level. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, andherbal products high potassium level.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has more information about potassium chloride writtenfor health professionals that you may read high potassium level.
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