Potassium Chloride

Thinking of taking Potassium Chloride? Medical experts, health care professionals and doctors suggest a person must have a good level of potassium content in the body. But just how much will the level be?

Potassium chloride is actually a chemical compound. The chemical compound symbol for this is KCI, so don’t be confused if your doctor or a health care professional will refer to it as such. This chemical compound is has no odor, main components of which are chlorine and potassium. Colloquial term for potassium chloride is muriate of potash or simply potash. Aside from being used in medicinal purposes, potassium chloride is also used in processing food, lethal execution and other scientific studies and experiments.

In medicine, potassium chloride may be available in two forms, the injectable and the oral forms. Oral form or potassium chloride tablets are more common. Doctors often recommend potassium chloride intake as a good supplement to maintain the proper function of the body. Potassium alone is very important to the body. If salt is not recommended for a patient, potassium is given as a substitute and replenishment.

Potassium chloride is used to treat hypokalemia – a medical condition characterized by the body’s failure to maintain adequate levels of potassium. The symptoms of hypokalemia include seizures, abnormal heart rhythm, severe arrhythmias, confusion, risk of hyponatremia, myalgia and serious muscle weakness.

Potassium chloride is also used to treat other medical conditions like digitalis poisoning. There are a lot of potassium chloride brands available in the market today. Potassium chloride can be taken with no prescription. But be warned though as too much potassium content in the body can be harmful. To be sure, consult with your doctor if your condition justifies taking potassium chloride. The doctor should know how much and how often you should take you potassium chloride oral medication.

The doctor will need to check first of your present medical condition. This will help the doctor in deciding the dosage and the frequency of medication. You will be checked of the following conditions: Addison’s disease, dehydration, type 2 diabetes mellitus, diarrhea, hyperkalemia, intestinal disorder, esophageal blockage, stomach ulcer and heart disease.

A list of drugs and substances may also interact with potassium chloride. So you need to inform your doctor of your present medication. Drugs and substances that interact with potassium chloride include: antidepressants, anticholinergics, amantadine, antidyskinetics, antipsychotic drugs, clyclizine, cabamazepine, buclizine, Cyclobenzaprine, flavoxate, ipratropium, methylphenidate, meclizine, oxbytynin, orphenadrine, procainamide, quinidine, promethazine, trimeprazine, ACE inhibitors, amiloride, beta adrenergic blocking agents, heparin, drugs that contain potassium, anti-inflammatory drugs, pain reliever drugs, substitutes for salt, intake of low salt food, intake of milk, spirinolactone, Triamterene, drugs for heart problems, digitalis glycosides and water pills.

Medical experts have not yet supported the treating effect of potassium chloride in high blood pressure patients. However, make sure to inform your doctor if you have high blood pressure.

Once you are given the prescription, be oriented with the right and proper ways of taking potassium chloride. Doctors recommend potassium chloride intake with a good and balanced diet. This will help your body absorb and fully maximize the beneficial effects of potassium chloride.

Take your potassium chloride tablet or capsule whole. Do not crush, chew or cut the tablet or capsule. Do not take tomato drinks, tomato containing meals and other similar preparations since tomato can hamper the beneficial effects of potassium chloride. Sit up straight to facilitate swallowing of the drug. You can take your potassium chloride capsule or tablet with milk or regular meal if the drug upsets your stomach.

Ask your doctor about the side effects from potassium chloride. Remember that increased or decreased level of potassium in the body is dangerous. Make sure to discuss clearly with your doctor about the right amount of potassium chloride you should take.