Potassium is the largest cation -- positively charged electrolyte -- inside your cells. Your body maintains tight controls over the amount of potassium in your body because the exchange of potassium and sodium in your cells is what keeps your heart beating, your muscles moving and your nerves functioning properly. If you do not get enough potassium in your daily diet, you can experience adverse symptoms such as being easily fatigued, muscle weakness and nausea. Knowing your normal dosage can ensure you do not have problems.
Amount Needed
Potassium is found in many foods; fruits and vegetables have a good amount. Those 14 and older need about 4,700 mg of potassium daily. However, women only get about 2,300 mg of potassium per day, and men only get 3,100 mg per day in the United States, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. You can ensure you get enough potassium in your diet by eating more potassium-rich foods such as a baked potato with skin, banana, prune juice, raisins, acorn squash and spinach.
Supplementation for Hypokalemia
If the potassium in your body dips below acceptable levels, you can experience a condition known as hypokalemia. If you have been sick with vomiting or diarrhea, you may have experienced excess potassium loss during this time. If you have kidney disease or high blood pressure and are on diuretics, you also can lose significant amounts of potassium. As a result, your physician may prescribe potassium chloride supplements to restore the amount of electrolytes in your body. The normal dosage for oral potassium chloride medications is 40 mEq to 100 mEq per day. Your physician may recommend taking this amount all at once, or dividing it into separate doses.
Severe Potassium Loss
If you experience severe potassium loss due to illness or burns, your physician will work quickly to restore potassium levels via an intravenous solution. The normal potassium dosage for is up to 20 mEq/mL over an hour in an emergency situation. If your condition is less severe, your physician will use an intravenous line to deliver about 10 mEq/hour of potassium. Because potassium loss can be life threatening, seek immediate medical treatment if you experience potassium-loss symptoms such as muscle weakness, temporary paralysis or abnormal heartbeat.
Warning
If you are taking potassium supplements to achieve normal potassium levels, be aware of potential adverse reactions. These include upset stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or diarrhea. To minimize these effects, you may wish to take potassium supplements with meals.
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