The body needs potassium to maintain fluid balance in cells, for the function of nerves and muscles and as a necessary component of numerous chemical reactions in the body. Potassium chloride, available only by prescription, is a medication made up of potassium and chloride to treat or prevent potassium deficiency, also called hypokalemia. Potassium chloride rapidly ionizes into potassium and chloride. Healthy kidneys remove excess potassium and chloride from the body in urine. Physicians monitor patients taking potassium chloride to prevent life-threatening potassium toxicity, also called hyperkalemia.
Function
Potassium chloride is a salt made up of potassium and chloride bonded by their opposite electronic charges. Potassium chloride is broken down rapidly into potassium and chloride for separate functions within the body. The positive ion potassium preserves the balance of fluid inside cells by active movement of ions also helping to maintain normal blood pressure, transmit nerve impulses, contract skeletal, heart and smooth muscle contraction and maintain kidney function. The negative ion chloride assists in maintaining fluid balance; not enough chloride in the body may result in dehydration that can in turn lead to the loss of more potassium. Blood tests confirm how much potassium and chloride the blood contains. The normal level of potassium is 3.5 to 5 mEq/L, and the normal level of chloride in the blood is 100 to 110 mEq/L.
Potassium Deficiency
The symptoms of a potassium deficiency in the blood include feeling tired, having muscle cramps or general weakness, feeling dizzy, wanting to drink excessive amounts and changes in the heart rate or rhythm. Potassium chloride can be prescribed in pill form. Some cases--such as when the potassium level in the blood is very low, oral potassium chloride isn't working or the heart rate isn't normal--require hospitalization for the administration of intravenous potassium chloride. Monitoring by a physician reduces the potential for potassium toxicity.
Side Effects
Potassium chloride taken by mouth irritates the digestive tract and may cause abdominal pain or discomfort and nausea. Additional adverse reactions include obstruction in the digestive tract, bleeding and developing ulcers, sores or holes in the stomach or intestines. Vomiting and diarrhea may occur and cause a loss of fluid. To limit these side effects, potassium chloride pills contain a wax coating on the outside to release the medication over time to reduce irritation in the digestive tract. Don't crush potassium chloride tablets to make them easier to swallow. Take the pills with food or a full glass of water to prevent digestive tract irritation.
Potassium Toxicity
In addition to some of the side effects of taking potassium chloride, watch for symptoms such as increased need to urinate, muscle weakness or an irregular heartbeat. Slight increases in blood potassium levels may not produce symptoms; as the potassium levels in the blood rise, the symptoms of toxicity increase. Life-threatening symptoms of potassium toxicity include muscle paralysis and changes in heart rhythm and rate leading to heart attack. Death may result if potassium toxicity isn't treated.
Possible Toxicity
Potassium chloride toxicity may occur in elderly adults, people with reduced kidney function and diabetics. Too much potassium in the blood may be caused by the interaction of potassium chloride with other medications. These interactions may occur with some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen; potassium-sparing diuretics; medications for high blood pressure known as angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors; and some drugs that prevent rejection of an organ after transplant.
References
- "British Medical Journal"; Salt substitutes and potassium intake; J.D. Swales; November 1991
- Merck Manuals: Potassium
- "Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements"; T Navarra, M Lipkowitz, M.D.; 1996
- "Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary"; 19th edition; 2001
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