Potassium Chloride

Potassium supplement

Each film-coated SR tablet contains Potassium Chloride 600 mg

KSR is a film-coated preparation of potassium chloride formulated for slow release.

Each tablet contains 600mg of potassium chloride which is equivalent to 8 mili-equivalent each of Potassium [K⁺] and Chloride [Cl^-]. The show and sustained release over a period of 6 hours precludes high concentration of potassium chloride against a localized area of the gut wall which might irritate or damage the mucosa. The sustained relase providers conditions of maximum gastric tolerance and effective absorpstion for the treatment of all types of potassium deficiency, whether hypochloraemic alkalosis. KSR does not alter normal kidney function; can be used in all age groups; replaces the essential chloride anion and potassium and so prevents hypochloraemic alkalosis. During KSR administration, laboratory monitoring of serum electrolyte level should be done periodically.

INDICATIONS

For treatment and specific prevention of hypokalemia.

An average dose is 1 or 2 tablet two or three times daily, each tablet swallowed whlle with little water, preferably during meals. Where KSR is administerd routinely with an average daily maintenance dose of an oral diuretic agent, 1-2 tablet daily may be sufficient.

If a patien under treatment with KSR develops severe vomiting, severe abdominal pains or flatulence, or gastoristesinalhaemorrhage, the preparation should be withdranwn at once. To prevent the risk of hyperkalemia, potassium supplements should not be administered with potassium sparing diuretic agent such spironolactone, triamterene or amiloride. In case of metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia should not be treated with potassium chloride but with a potassium salt containing an alkalosing anion [e.g potassium bicarbonate].

PRECAUTIONS

In patien with impaired renal function , special care should be exercised when prescribing potassium salt because of the risk of hypokalaemia. The serum electrolytes should be monitored in these patiens and also in patiens with congestive heart failure, especially if under treatment with digitalis, in whom hypokalemia should be avoided.

Oral potassium preparatons can provoke gastrointestinal disturbance (e.g. nausea vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea). In rare cases, KSR may also cause these side-effect. In this evevnt, reduction in dosage or withdrawal of drug may be necessary.

CONTRAINDICATION

Advanced ernal failure, untreated Addison;s disease, acute dehydration, hyperkalemia, in the presence of obstruction in the digestivetract (e.g. resulting from compression of the oesophagus due to dilation of the left atrium or from stenosis of the gut). The administration of KSR  in such a situation could be conceivably give rise to ulceration or perforaton.

Store in a dry place below 25⁰C

PRESENTATIONS

Bottle of 100 film coated SR tablets

Box of 10 x 10 film coated SR tablet in strip

PT MERCK