Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Potassium Chloride Injection (Baxter, 10 mEq, 20 mEq, 40 mEq)
What is Potassium Chloride Injection used for?
Potassium Chloride Injection is administered by a Healthcare Professional to treat potassium deficiency. This means that your body does not have the blood level of potassium that it needs to work properly.
How does Potassium Chloride Injection work?
Potassium Chloride Injection works by adding potassium to your body.
Serious Warnings and Precautions
Potassium Chloride Injection must be given to you with extreme caution if you have too much potassium in your system or you are more sensitive to serum potassium levels. Some examples of conditions that would put you at risk include muscle disorders such as potassium-aggravated skeletal muscle channelopathies (e.g., hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, paramyotonia congenita, and potassium-aggravated myotonia/paramyotonia). Potassium Chloride Injection will be administered with caution to you if you are at risk of experiencing:
Your doctor will monitor your condition. |
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What are the ingredients in Potassium Chloride Injection?
Medicinal ingredients: Potassium Chloride
Non-medicinal ingredients: Water for Injection.
Potassium Chloride Injection comes in the following dosage forms:
Potassium Chloride Injection comes as a sterile solution for intravenous administration, available in the following strengths and volumes: Potassium ion (K+) 10 mEq/50mL, 10 mEq/100mL, 20 mEq/50mL, 20 mEq/100mL, 40 mEq/100mL.
Do not use Potassium Chloride Injection if:
- you have a hypersensitivity to potassium or to any component of the container (plastic; polyvinyl chloride)
- you already have too much potassium in your body (hyperkalemia)
- you have kidney (renal) impairment
- you have untreated Addison’s disease (a condition in which your adrenal glands do not make enough of certain hormones)
- you have irregular heart rhythm (ventricular fibrillation)
- you have a genetic condition of the adrenal gland (salt-losing adrenal hyperplasia)
- you have extensive tissue damage such as severe burns, acute dehydration and heat cramps
- you have increased sensitivity to potassium administration
- you have an overactive adrenal gland (hyperadrenalism associated with adrenogenital syndrome)
- you have abnormal heart rhythm while taking digitalis that leads to heart block (digitalis induced second and third degree heart block)
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Potassium Chloride Injection. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- Have heart problems, such as congestive heart failure or problems with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat
- Have kidney problems
- Have Diabetes
- Have problems with your adrenal gland (e.g. Addison’s disease)
are pregnant
- are breastfeeding an infant
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with Potassium Chloride Injection:
- Diuretics that may prevent loss of potassium, such as amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene
- Medications used to treat high blood pressure such as Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
How to take Potassium Chloride Injection:
- Potassium Chloride Injection will be given to you by a healthcare professional in a healthcare setting.
Usual dose:
The appropriate dose is selected by the Health Care Professional and is administered through a vein.
Overdose:
Symptoms of overdose include: Confusion, Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Weakness, Numbness in hands or feet, Difficulty moving or breathing, Change in heartrate or heart rhythm.
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much Potassium Chloride Injection, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
Missed Dose:
If you miss your scheduled infusion, contact your doctor or nurse as soon as possible to schedule your next treatment.
What are possible side effects from using Potassium Chloride Injection?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking Potassium Chloride Injection. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
The side effects reported with Potassium Chloride Injection may be a result of how the product has been given to you (such as pain or infection at the infusion site, fever). Most often, the side effects that occur are a result of your body responding to the increased levels of potassium in your system.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| Diarrhea | √ | ||
| Administration Site Conditions: Pain, burning and/or swelling at the injection site. | √ | ||
| Allergic Reaction: rash or swelling | √ | ||
| Hyperkalemia (too much potassium in your system): Confusion, Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Weakness, Numbness in hands or feet, Difficulty moving or breathing, | √ | ||
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help |
|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases |
|---|---|
| Change in heartrate or heart rhythm. | |
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Store at room temperature (15° C to 25° C).
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about Potassium Chloride Injection:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html; the manufacturer’s website www. baxter.ca, or by calling 1-888-719-9955.
Baxter Corporation.
Mississauga, ON L5N 0C2.