POTASSIUM
Generic Name: potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate (poe tass EE um) Brand Names: Effer-K, K-Lyte, K-Lyte DS, Klor-Con/ EF
Potassium is a chemical element in the periodic table. It has the symbol K (L. kalium) and atomic number 19. The name "potassium" comes from the word "potash", as potassium was first isolated from potash. Potassium is a soft silvery-white metallic alkali metal that occurs naturally bound to other elements in seawater and many minerals. It oxidizes rapidly in air, is very reactive, especially in water, and resembles sodium chemically.
Take potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take potassium citrate tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water or juice. Do not crush or chew the tablets. Take tablets in an upright or sitting position. If possible take bedtime doses at least 10 minutes before lying down. Taking a sip of water first, before taking the tablets, may help you swallow them. Take this medicine with meals or a snack. In general, do not take this medicine with tomato juice. Tomato juice contains a high amount of sodium/salt that may not be beneficial to your medication regimen or health conditions. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. POtassium citrate is a medicine used to make the urine more alkaline (less acidic). This helps prevent the formation of certain kinds of kidney stones. In some cases, your health care professional may prescribe this medicine to balance the level of potassium in your body (when the potassium level is low). This medicine contains potassium, which is a naturally occurring salt that is important for the normal functioning of the heart, muscles, and nerves. Generic potassium citrate extended-release tablets are not yet available. Potassium is a mineral that is found naturally in foods and is necessary for many normal functions of your body, especially the beating of your heart. Potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate is used to prevent or to treat a potassium deficiency. Potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.  Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if youhave kidney disease;are taking a potassium-sparing diuretic such as triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), or amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic);have Addison's disease;have an ulcer or an intestinal blockage; orhave chronic diarrhea. You may not be able to take potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether this medication will harm an unborn baby. Do not take potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is also not known whether potassium passes into breast milk. As long as potassium levels in your body are within the normal range, this medication is not expected to harm a nursing infant. Talk to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate and seek emergency medical attention:an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);confusion;an irregular heartbeat;difficulty breathing;unusual fatigue, weakness, or heavy legs;abdominal pain or severe cramping; orblack, bloody, or tarry stools. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate and talk to your doctor if you experiencenausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort; a rash; slight tingling in the hands or feet; oranxiety. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. Do not take salt substitutes or drink low-salt milk while taking potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate unless your doctor approves. Salt substitutes and low-salt milk usually contain potassium. You may get too much potassium and suffer from side effects if you use these products. Do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor approves. Stopping could make your condition much worse. 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. The following drugs may increase the effects of potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate:angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) such as benazepril (Lotensin) and captopril (Capoten);other commonly used ACE inhibitors, including enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace);potassium-sparing diuretics such as triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), and amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic);beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin) and propranolol (Inderal); andother commonly used beta-blockers, including acebutolol (Sectral), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), nadolol (Corgard), metoprolol (Lopressor), and pindolol (Visken). Do not take any of the medicines listed above with potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate except under the supervision of your doctor. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:the heart medicine digoxin (Lanoxin);a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril, HCTZ, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), metolazone (Zaroxolyn), indapamide (Lozol);a steroid such as prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others), cortisone (Cortone), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone, others), dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol); oran anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), or ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail). Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
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