Re: Re: Sodium -- good, bad or ugly--Potassium Chloride

[Guest guest]

After reading the following about Potassium Chloride, which my wife was

receiving while hospitalized with a broken neck and because of diuretics, I

decided I would 'deep six' the heavy doses of PotChlor and give commonly found

Potassium instead. Her potassium levels remained in a good range throughout

her six week stay. 'They' never knew the difference. Note I said 'heavy

doses'.

" You should not use potassium chloride if you have kidney failure, 's

disease, severe burns or other tissue injury, if you are dehydrated, if you take

certain diuretics (water pills), or if you have high levels of potassium in your

blood (hyperkalemia). Do not crush, chew, break, or suck on an extended-release

tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking or crushing the pill may

cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. Sucking on a potassium

tablet can irritate your mouth or throat. Take potassium chloride with food or

just after a meal.

To be sure potassium chloride is helping your condition, your blood may need to

be tested often. Your heart rate may also be checked using an electrocardiograph

or ECG (sometimes called an EKG) to measure electrical activity of the heart.

This test will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with potassium.

Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Serious side effects of potassium include uneven heartbeat, muscle weakness or

limp feeling, severe stomach pain, and numbness or tingling in your hands, feet,

or mouth.

Do not stop taking potassium chloride without first talking to your doctor. If

you stop taking potassium suddenly, your condition may become worse.

Before taking potassium chloride

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to it, or if you have

certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have:

a.. high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia);

b.. kidney failure;

c.. 's disease (an adrenal gland disorder);

d.. a large tissue injury such as a severe burn;

e.. if you are severely dehydrated; or

f.. if you are taking a " potassium-sparing " diuretic (water pill) such as

amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic), spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide),

triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide).

Before using potassium chloride, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any

drugs, or if you have:

a.. kidney disease;

b.. heart disease or high blood pressure;

c.. a blockage in your stomach or intestines; or

d.. chronic diarrhea (such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease).