Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Slow K
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
SLOW-K* is an oral potassium supplement used to replace potassium losses and prevent potassium deficiency which may be caused by:
- certain drugs such as digitalis and or diuretics (water pills)
certain diseases such as kidney disease or gastrointestinal
disease with diarrhea, vomiting.
SLOW-K* is indicated in those patients who cannot tolerate or refuse to take liquid or effervescent potassium chloride.
What it does:
SLOW-K* is a sustained-release formulation containing potassium chloride (KCl). This formulation controls the release of KCl so that adequate amounts of KCl are available in your body throughout the day. Potassium is fundamentally involved in many body processes, such as fluid balance, acid-alkali balance, protein synthesis, nerve conduction, energy production, muscle contraction, synthesis of DNA and control of heartbeat and kidney function.
When it should not be used:
Follow all the doctor’s instructions carefully. They may differ from the general information contained in this leaflet. SLOW-K* should not be used in case of:
an allergic reaction to potassium chloride or any other
ingredients of SLOW-K* listed in “What the important nonmedicinal ingredients are” section.
hyperkalemia (occurs when there is too much potassium in the
blood) which may result from a number of conditions such as:
- Addison’s (adrenal gland) disease
severe injury or burns, anemia , tumors,
rhabdomyolysis, a breakdown of muscle fibres caused by the use of certain drug
metabolic acidosis (disturbance of the body’s acid-
base balance that results in excessive acidity of the blood)
Excessive loss of body water which may be caused
by severe vomiting or diarrhea
- Insufficient kidney function
If you are now taking certain drugs used to treat high blood
pressure or certain heart diseases (potassium-sparing diuretics e.g. spironolactone, triamterene, amiloride).
If you have blockage of the gastro-intestinal tract (e.g.
esophagus, stomach or intestine).
If this applies to you, tell your doctor without taking SLOW-K*. If you think you may be allergic to SLOW-K*, ask your doctor for advice.
What the medicinal ingredient is:
potassium chloride
What the important nonmedicinal ingredients are: cetostearyl alcohol, gelatin, magnesium stearate. The coating contains: carnauba wax, gelatin, spray dried Acacia, purified talc, sucrose (granulated), red iron oxide, titanium dioxide and yellow iron oxide.
What dosage forms it comes in:
SLOW-K* is available as 600 mg sugar-coated tablets containing potassium chloride.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
BEFORE you use SLOW-K* talk to your doctor or pharmacist if: ③ If you are pregnant or breast feeding
- If you have heart disease
If you have undergone any surgery of the intestine (e.g.
colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy).
- If you were told by your doctor that your body has difficulty in eliminating potassium (e.g. because of kidney problems). ③ If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars.
If this applies to you, tell your doctor.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription, vitamins, herbals or a salt substitute as many salt substitutes contain potassium. It may be necessary to change the dose or in some cases to stop one of these medicines. It is particularly important to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- Potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g. spironolactone, triamterene, amiloride) used in the treatment of high blood pressure or certain heart diseases.
- ACE inhibitors (e.g. lisinopril, captopril) used in the treatment of high blood pressure.
- Angiotensin-II-receptor-antagonists (e.g. valsartan, losartan etc.) used in the treatment of high blood pressure. ③ NSAIDs (e.g. indomethacin) used to relieve pain and inflammation.
- Beta-blockers (e.g. atenolol, bopindolol etc.) used in the treatment of high blood pressure.
- Anticholinergics (drugs which block the actions of the nerve transmitter, acetylcholine, and are used to treat a variety of disorders such as gastrointestinal cramps, urinary bladder spasm, asthma, motion sickness, muscular spasms, poisoning with certain toxic compounds, and as an aid to anaesthesia). ③ Heparin used to prevent blood clotting.
- Digoxin used in the treatment of heart beat disorders.
Cyclosporine used to control your body’s immune system in
order to prevent rejection of transplanted organs.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Usual dose:
Take this medicine only as instructed by your doctor. The usual daily dose for adults at the start of the treatment is 2 to 3 sugar-coated tablets for prevention and 5 to 12 sugar-coated tablets for correction of potassium deficiency.
Your doctor will tell you exactly how many tablets of SLOW-K* to take.
Depending on how you respond to the treatment, your doctor may suggest a higher or lower dose.
When to take SLOW-K*:
Taking SLOW-K* at the same time each day will help you remember when to take your medicine.
Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer period of time than your doctor has directed. This is especially important if you are also taking diuretics and digitalis medicines for your heart.
How to take SLOW-K*:
Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water or other liquid during meals while sitting upright. Do not crush, chew, or suck the tablet.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, or if they seem to stick in your throat, consult your doctor, because this could cause irritation that might lead to ulcers.
How long to take SLOW-K*:
SLOW-K* should be continued until potassium deficiency has been corrected.
Continue taking SLOW-K* as your doctor tells you. If you have questions about how long to take SLOW-K*, talk to your doctor or your pharmacist.
Overdose:
If you have taken too much SLOW-K*, or if someone else accidentally takes your medicine, contact a doctor or hospital or your local poison control center for advice straight away. Show the pack of SLOW-K*. Medical treatment may be necessary.
Missed Dose:
If you forget to take a dose of this medicine, but remember to do so within 2 hours, take the missed dose right away with a full glass of water or other liquid. Then go back to your regular dosing schedule. However, if you do not remember until later, skip the missed dose and then go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the doses.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Like all medicines, SLOW-K* can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Some side effects are rare which include:
- Marked nausea or vomiting; pronounced flatulence; pain in the abdomen; diarrhea; stomach or intestinal problems such as obstruction, bleeding and ulceration; itchy skin rash. Another side effect observed is increase in levels of potassium which may further aggravate kidney problems and lead to heart problems.
If any of these affects you severely, tell your doctor. If you notice any other side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.
Monitoring during your treatment with SLOW-K*: Your doctor will periodically monitor your blood potassium levels if you are taking SLOW-K* for a longer duration and/or are suffering from a heart or kidney disease. In addition, you should undergo cardiac examination and monitoring of blood pH and serum levels of other electrolytes (e.g. magnesium).
If you have any questions about how SLOW-K* works or why this medicine has been prescribed for you, ask your doctor.
| SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM | ||||
| Symptom / effect | Talk with your doctor or pharmacist | Stop taking drug and call your doctor or pharmacist | ||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||
| Common | Marked nausea or vomiting; pronounced flatulence; pain in the abdomen; diarrhea; | T | T | |
| Rare | Stomach or intestinal problems such as obstruction, bleeding and ulceration; itchy skin rash | T | ||
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking SLOW-K* contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
- Do not use after the expiry date shown on the box.
- Store away from heat and moisture.
- Store in the original package.
- Keep out of reach and sight of children.
REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS
To monitor drug safety, Health Canada through Canada Vigilance Program collects information on serious and unexpected effects of drugs . If you suspect you have had a serious or unexpected reaction to this drug you may notify Canada Vigilance by:
toll-free telephone: 866-234-2345 toll-free fax 866-678-6789
Online: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect By email: CanadaVigilance@hc-sc.gc.ca
By regular mail:
Canada Vigilance National Office
Marketed Health Products Safety and Effectiveness Information Bureau
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Tunney’s Pasture, AL 0701C
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9
NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of the side effect, please contact your health care provider before notifying Canada Vigilance. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice
MORE INFORMATION
This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be found at: http://www.novartis.ca or by contacting the sponsor, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., at: 1-800-363-8883