Potassium is a mineral and an electrolyte that helps control muscle function and nerve transmission. A balanced diet usually supplies all of the potassium necessary to maintain these functions. People who do not obtain enough potassium in their diet or those with underlying medical conditions that cause potassium loss may need to increase the amount of potassium in the body through the use of liquid potassium supplements. Consult your doctor for more information.
Dosage
Liquid potassium must be diluted in at least 4 ounces of cold water or cold juice. This helps reduce the potential for any laxative-type effect that liquid potassium may cause. The specific dosage depends on several factors, such as the type of potassium supplement, cause of potassium loss and level of potassium in the blood. The average dosage recommendation for adults over the age of 18 is 20 mEq taken one to four times per day. The usual dosage for children is 0.45 to 1.36 mEq of liquid potassium for every pound of body weight.
Side Effects
Most people who follow liquid potassium dosage instructions do not experience any adverse side effects. When side effects do occur, the most common ones include diarrhea, gas, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. More serious and less common side effects include irregular heartbeat, numbness and tingling in the hands or feet, fatigue, weakness, anxiety and difficulty breathing. Some people experience rare side effects, such as abdominal cramps, changes in stool color and chest or throat pain. If you experience any of these side effects when taking a liquid potassium supplement, contact your doctor immediately.
Precautions
Salt substitutes and low-sodium foods often contain significant amounts of potassium. If you are taking a liquid potassium supplement, you should talk to your doctor about whether or not you should avoid salt substitutes or low-sodium foods. Consuming too much potassium could lead to increased levels of potassium in the blood, a potentially dangerous condition called hyperkalemia.
You should also talk to your doctor about any exercise or regular physical activity in which you engage. According to MayoClinic.com, exercise can increase the levels of potassium in the blood, which may cause abnormally high levels of blood potassium when you are using liquid potassium supplements.
Considerations
When you are taking liquid potassium supplements, it is important to visit your doctor regularly to check your blood potassium levels. Your doctor can give you a routine blood test to measure the amount of potassium in your blood and determine if your dosage of liquid potassium is right for you. If your blood potassium levels are too low or too high, your doctor may recommend increasing or reducing your dose.
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