Potassium chloride / gluconate
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
- Potassium chloride/gluconate.
Class of drug
Indications
- Treatment of hypokalemia .
Routes of administration
- Injectable solution.
- Oral powder, tablets and syrup.
Dosage
Basic dose
- Intravenous doses must be titrated for each patient; dilute concentrated solutions prior to use.
- Serum potassium <2 mmol/l: add 20 mEq to 250 ml 0.9% NaCl.
- Serum potassium 2-2.5 mmol/l: add 15 mEq to 250 ml 0.9% NaCl.
- Serum potassium 2.5-3 mmol/l: add 10 mEq to 250 ml 0.9% NaCl.
- Serum potassium 3-3.5 mmol/l: add 7 mEq to 250 ml 0.9% NaCl.
- Rate of IV infusion should not exceed 0.5 mmol/kg bodyweight/h.
Cat
- 2-6 mmol/cat/day.
Dog
- 0.2-0.5 mmol/kg PO TID or 1-3 g/dog PO SID.
Use with care
Acid-base imbalances
- As potassium is primarily an intracellular electrolyte, serum levels do not adequately reflect its total body store.
- Acid-base imbalances may also mask the actual extent of any alterations in potassium levels.
- Patients with systemic acidosis may appear to be hyperkalemic when in fact they may have a significantly low total body potassium content.
- Conversely alkalosis may falsely indicate a low serum K
 .
Interactions
with other drugs
ACE inhibitors, eg captopril
- Increase the risk of hyperkalemia developing.
Potassium sparing diuretics, eg spironolactone
- Increase the risk of hyperkalemia developing .
Other reported reactions
- Gastrointestinal irritation (oral preparations).
Publications
Other sources of information
- Based on Small Animal Formulary. Tennant, Bryn (1999) 3rd edn. Cheltenham: BSAVA.
Back to top 
© Copyright Vetstream
FELIS GEN00230
|
