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Potassium

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What is Potassium?

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.



Brand Name

Glu-



Other Names



What is Potassium?

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How

Swallow extended-release tablets and capsules whole. Do not chew them or dissolve them in your mouth.

Side Effects

  • upset stomach
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • mental confusion
  • listlessness
  • tingling, prickling, burning, tight, or pulling sensation of arms, hands, legs, or feet
  • heaviness or weakness of legs
  • cold, pale, gray skin
  • stomach pain
  • unusual stomach bulging
  • black stools
  • http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html

    • Precautions

    Before taking potassium,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to potassium or any other drugs.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec),and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril); diuretics ('water pills'); and vitamins. Do not take potassium if you are taking amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), or triamterene (Dyrenium).
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, kidney, or Addison's (adrenal gland) disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking potassium, call your doctor.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking potassium.

    • Overdose

    In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

    What If I Forget

    Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

    Storage

    Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

    Dietary Restrictions

    If you are using a salt substitute, tell your doctor. Many salt substitutes contain potassium. Your doctor will consider this source in determining your dose of potassium supplement. Your doctor may advise you to use a potassium-containing salt substitute and to eat potassium-rich foods (e.g., bananas, prunes, raisins, and milk).

    Miscellaneous

    It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

    Content provided by:

    The AHFS MedMaster Consumer Medication Information CMI® database is copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. © 2008, ASHP, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. All Rights Reserved. Duplication must be expressly authorized by ASHP, unless such duplication consists of printing or downloading portions of the data inherent in the program for non-commercial use. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the database provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such database and specifically disclaims all such warranties and representations. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the database is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug in the database. The information contained in the database is not a substitute for medical care.

    Potassium Videos

    Potassium Articles

    • About Potassium Chloride

      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, avai...

    • Deficiency in Potassium

      You can have a slight potassium deficiency and never be aware of it, but a potassium level that is significantly lower than normal---a condition called hypokalemia---can be life threatening, accord...

    • About Low Potassium

      ...ical condition in which blood levels of potassium are too low. This condition can be caused by several medical conditions or inadequate dietary intake of potassium. Because this condition can ...

    • About Potassium Nitrate

      potassium nitrate, which is also known as saltpeter, is an organic compound with a variety of roles. Although saltpeter is most famous for its use in gunpowder, potassium nitrate can also be used a...

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    Related Diseases

    • Periodic paralysis with hypokalemia

      Periodic paralysis with hypokalemia is a type of paralysis that comes and goes.See also: Familial periodic paralysis

    • Hyperkalemia

      ... caused by higher than normal levels of potassium in the bloodstream.

    • Hypokalemia

      ...alemia is a lower-than-normal amount of potassium in the blood. It may result from a number of conditions.

    • Bartter syndrome

      ...le with Bartter syndrome have a loss of potassium (hypokalemic alkalosis) and a rise in the hormone aldosterone.Se...

    • Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis

      Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a condition in which there are episodes of muscle weakness in people with high level...

    • Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis

      ...sometimes, higher-than-normal levels of potassium in the blood.It is one of a group of genetic disorders that incl...

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    Vitamins

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    Related Poisons

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    Conversations On Potassium

    • potassium??


      • Posted On May 30, 2008 12:28:46 PM

        ...out fruits where am I suppose to get my potassium from. Should i take a supplement? None of the foods I'm eating seem to have any potassium in them. What can I eat? I really dont want to take a ... Read More

      • Posted On May 30, 2008 12:33:19 PM

        ...one of the foods you are eating contain potassium? Sometimes it is not always on the label. If you are really concerned, you should speak with a doctor or registered dietitian. Read More

    • Potassium


      • Posted On February 18, 2009 04:35:42 AM

        ...yone suggest what I can eat to boost my potassium intake. I know Bananas have potassium but I guess I'm lacking. I keep getting muscle spasms in my calves at night and someone told me its becaus... Read More

      • Posted On February 18, 2009 05:40:53 AM

        ...celery, and carrot juice have a lot of potassium. I also take a potassium supplement as you loose a lot of potassium through exercise. Read More

    • Top Foods Packed With Potassium

      ...are you’re eating many foods with potassium. This mineral is important to the body’s metabolism and can lower blood pressure in hypertensive adults. Most frequently associated with b...

    • Potassium


      • Posted On February 13, 2007 12:39:40 PM

        I'd like to be able to track potassium in my diet. Is there a way to tease this nutrition value from somewhere? Read More

      • Posted On February 13, 2007 04:42:43 PM

        Good Luck on tracking potassium. Since their are no USDA guidelines on how much potassium is needed, the food processers do not have to label them on packages of food. What I wound up doing was... Read More

    • Caffeine and potassium levels


      • Posted On May 9, 2008 05:44:19 PM

        Does anyone know if caffeine depletes potassium levels? And if it does, how quickly does it get removed/and returned to normal levels? alysee Read More

      • Posted On May 10, 2008 01:35:21 PM

        ...that can deplete electrolytes including potassium. If you think you need a potassium you can eat foods rich in potassium. * Dried fruits: raisins, prunes, apricots, dates * Fresh frui... Read More

    • why is potassium required in "add an item"?


      • Posted On November 6, 2007 10:53:54 PM

        ...an item to the database, the amount of "Potassium" is a required entry. Yet not one nutrition label I have entered data from has shown a value/quantity for Potassium. What I have been doing ... Read More

      • Posted On November 6, 2007 11:40:31 PM

        ...time and have never once had to enter a potassium value. I have just tried to add an item and the only 'required' options are: Calories, Total Fat and Total Carbohydrates. Only the starred i... Read More

    Show More

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    Talk

    parlous_tottery: 1) The bellwether—in good weather—can be the jurassic sleepwalk of an alligator, tireless, cohesive, under a potassium sky. #poetry #lcmt

    threeblue: oh my i'm so tired right now. i took some potassium. i really hope that helps

    Qbz: Sure do wish I had a bagel. While that banana was full of potassium, it was not filling.

    miloisadora: @Bodewadmi I'm all about potassium- BIGtime

    soxinsc: @iwanttodothat Try foods/drinks high in potassium. That usually does it for me.

    Additional Reading