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| Pronunciation |
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 (poe
TASS ee um KLOR
ide) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Cena-K®; Gen-K®; K+ 10®;
Kaochlor®; Kaochlor® SF; Kaon-Cl®;
Kaon-Cl-10®; Kay Ciel®; K+ Care®; K-Dur® 10;
K-Dur® 20; K-Lease®; K-Lor™; Klor-Con®;
Klor-Con® 8; Klor-Con® 10; Klor-Con®/25;
Klorvess®; Klotrix®; K/Lyte®/Cl; K-Norm®;
K-Tab®; Micro-K® 10; Micro-K® 10
Extencaps®; Micro-K® LS; Potasalan®; Rum-K®;
Slow-K®; Ten-K® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Celek 20 (Mexico); Clor-K-Zaf (Mexico); Cloruro De
Potasio (Mexico); Kaliolite (Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Electrolyte Supplement, Oral |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to potassium or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Severe kidney disease,
untreated Addison's disease, high blood levels of potassium.
- The medicine in a pill or tablet should not be given if there is a
blockage in the gastrointestinal tract, poor flow through the gastrointestinal
tract, or slow stomach emptying.
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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 loss is
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, powder, granule, or effervescent tablet of potassium in 4
ounces of liquid.
- Swallow sustained-release tablet/capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or
crush.
- 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. May have to stop tube feeding first. Some potassium liquids
do not mix with tube feeding.
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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 the 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.
- Some forms of potassium are in a wax matrix; you may see this in
stool. This is expected. The potassium has been absorbed but the wax is not
absorbable and goes right through the intestines.
- 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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