Potassium Supplements, Oral

Type of medicine: potassium supplement

Generic and brand names: potassium chloride, oral; potassium gluconate, oral; potassium supplements, oral; Cena-K; Gen-K; Glu-K; K+ Care; K+10; K-Dur 10; K-Dur 20; K-G Effer K; K-Lease; K-Lor; K-Lyte; K-Lyte/Cl; K-Norm; K-Tab; Kaochlor 10%; Kaochlor S-F; Kaochlor-Eff; Kaon; Kaon Liquid; Kaon-Cl; Kaon-Cl 20%; Kaon-Cl-10; Kay Ciel; Kaylixir; Klor-10%; Klor-Con; Klor-Con 10; Klor-Con 8; Klor-Con/25; Klor-Con/EF; Klorvess; Klorvess Effervescent; Klotrix; Micro-K 10 Extencaps; Micro-K Extencaps; Micro-K LS; Potasalan; Rum-K; Slow-K; Ten-K; Tri-K; Twin-K

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat or prevent low levels of potassium in the body. This medicine may be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• Addison's disease
• dehydration
• heart disease or an irregular heartbeat
• heat cramps
• hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the blood)
• kidney problems
• ulcers

Tell your health care provider if you have been taking potassium-sparing diuretics (water pills).

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your health care provider's approval.

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or take it longer than prescribed.

To lessen stomach upset, take this medicine with a full glass of water (8 ounces) and a meal or snack.

This medicine comes in tablets, effervescent tablets, powders and liquids. Tablets are made with a wax center to release the medicine slowly. The wax does not dissolve. You may notice it in your bowel movement. It is not harmful. Do not crush or chew tablets, swallow them whole. Mix powders, effervescent tablets, and liquids with 3 to 8 ounces of cold water or other liquid. Drink the mixture slowly.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

Potassium may increase stomach or intestinal irritation. Contact your health care provider right away if you develop black tarry stools or bloody stools.

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Severe stomach pain, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, unexplained weakness, severe confusion, trouble breathing, unexplained sore throat, black tarry stools, bloody stools.

Other: Diarrhea, nausea, gas, vomiting.

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), and triamterene (Dyrenium).

Do not take salt substitutes while taking potassium.

You may need to limit or avoid foods high in potassium while you are taking this medicine. Some of these foods are beef, veal, ham, chicken, turkey, fish, milk, bananas, dates, prunes, beans, yams, avocado, watermelon, cantaloupe, apricots, broccoli, brussel sprouts, lentils, potatoes, and spinach. Talk to your health care provider about this.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.