Potassium chloride instructions for administration

Instructions for administration
Overview Alternate methods of administration

Overview
The usual dietary intake of potassium by the average adult is 50 to 100 mEq per day. Potassium depletion sufficient to cause hypokalemia usually requires the loss of 200 or more mEq of potassium from the total body store. Dosage must be adjusted to the individual needs of each patient. The dose for the prevention of hypokalemia is typically in the range of 20 mEq per day. Doses of 40-100 mEq per day or more are used for the treatment of potassium depletion. Dosage should be divided if more than 20 mEq per day is given such that no more than 20 mEq is given in a single dose. Each Potassium chloride extended-release tablet provides 20 mEq of Potassium chloride. Potassium chloride extended-release tablets should be taken with meals and with a glass of water or other liquid. This product should not be taken on an empty stomach because of its potential for gastric irritation. Return to top

Alternate methods of administration
Patients having difficulty swallowing whole tablets may try one of the following alternate methods of administration: Return to top
 * Break the tablet in half, and take each half separately with a glass of water.
 * Prepare an aqueous (water) suspension as follows:
 * 1) Place the whole tablet(s) in approximately one-half glass of water (4 fluid ounces).
 * 2) Allow approximately 2 minutes for the tablet(s) to disintegrate.
 * 3) Stir for about half a minute after the tablet(s) has disintegrated.
 * 4) Swirl the suspension and consume the entire contents of the glass immediately by drinking or by the use of a straw.
 * 5) Add another one fluid ounce of water, swirl, and consume immediately.
 * 6) Then, add an additional one fluid ounce of water, swirl, and consume immediately.
 * 7) Aqueous suspension of Potassium chloride extended-release tablets, that is not taken immediately should be discarded. The use of other liquids for suspending Potassium chloride extended-release tablets is not recommended.