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| Pronunciation |
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 (poe
TASS ee um KLOR ide & poe
TASS ee um GLOO coe nate) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Kolyum® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Electrolyte Supplement, Oral |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to return potassium to the body. There are many
reasons why potassium may be lost in large quantities; the most common being
loss because of diuretic use. Potassium is needed in certain quantities by every
organ in the body.
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| How does it work? |
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- Potassium goes to all parts of the body to maintain good
function.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take with food and 8 ounces of liquid unless healthcare provider
restricts fluids.
- Mix liquid or powder of potassium in
1/2
a cup of liquid.
- A liquid is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have
feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after
medicine is given.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses unless prescribed by
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding, tell healthcare provider.
Medicine may be irritating to stomach.
- Use caution if you have kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- If water pill is stopped, make sure to ask healthcare provider about
potassium. It will usually be stopped too.
- Avoid potassium-containing salt substitutes, spironolactone,
amiloride, triamterene, and other potassium supplements. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms
involved.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Belly pain and cramps.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Periodic blood work is required to look at potassium levels in the
body. Talk with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Blood in the stool and toilet bowl, vomiting blood, or coughing up
blood.
- Weakness, numbness and tingling, lightheadedness, dizziness, fast
heartbeat, feeling like passing out.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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