No

Urinary Acidifying Agent

Acidifies urine and lowers urinary calcium concentration; reduces odor and rash caused by ammoniacal urine; increases the antibacterial activity of methenamine

C

Severe renal impairment, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, and infected magnesium ammonium phosphate stones

Use with caution in patients receiving other potassium supplementation and in patients with renal insufficiency, or severe tissue breakdown (eg, chemotherapy or hemodialysis)

>10%: Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, flatulence, vomiting

1% to 10%:

Cardiovascular: Bradycardia

Endocrine & metabolic: Hyperkalemia

Local: Local tissue necrosis with extravasation

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Weakness

Respiratory: Dyspnea

<1%: Chest pain, arrhythmia, edema, mental confusion, tetany, pain of extremities, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, alkalosis, abdominal pain, weight gain, throat pain, decreased urine output, phlebitis, paresthesias, paralysis, bone pain, arthralgia, weakness of extremities, shortness of breath, thirst

Symptoms of overdose include muscle weakness, paralysis, peaked T waves, flattened P waves, prolongation of QRS complex, ventricular arrhythmias

Removal of potassium can be accomplished by various means; removal through the GI tract with Kayexalate® administration; by way of the kidney through diuresis, mineralocorticoid administration or increased sodium intake; by hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis; or by shifting potassium back into the cells by insulin and glucose infusion or sodium bicarbonate; calcium chloride will reverse cardiac effects.

Increased effect/levels with potassium-sparing diuretics, salt substitutes, salicylates, ACE inhibitors

Decreased effect with antacids containing magnesium, calcium or aluminum (bind phosphate and decreased its absorption)

The principal intracellular cation; involved in transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contractions, enzyme activity, and glucose utilization

Absorption: Absorbed well from upper GI tract

Distribution: Enters cells via active transport from extracellular fluid

Elimination: Largely by the kidneys, but also small amount via the skin and feces, with most intestinal potassium being reabsorbed

Adults: Oral: 1000 mg dissolved in 6-8 oz of water 4 times/day with meals and at bedtime; for best results, soak tablets in water for 2-5 minutes, then stir and swallow

May be administered with meals

Serum potassium, sodium, phosphate, calcium; serum salicylates (if taking salicylates)

ammonia (B)

No information available to require special precautions

No effects or complications reported

Dissolve tablets completely before drinking; avoid taking magnesium, calcium, or aluminum antacids at the same time; patients may pass old kidney stones when starting therapy; notify physician if experiencing nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain

Monitor renal function, electrolytes, calcium, phosphorus, serum potassium

Tablet, sodium free: 500 mg [potassium 3.67 mEq]