Potassium_chloride_(medical_use)
Potassium chloride (medical use)
Electrolyte replenisher used to treat hypokalemia
Potassium chloride, also known as potassium salt, is used as a medication to treat and prevent low blood potassium.[2] Low blood potassium may occur due to vomiting, diarrhea, or certain medications.[3] The concentrated version should be diluted before use.[2] It is given by slow injection into a vein or by mouth.[4]
Side effects may include heart problems if given too quickly by injection into a vein.[4] By mouth it can result in abdominal pain, peptic ulcer disease, or gastrointestinal bleeding.[4] Greater care is recommended in those with kidney problems.[2] As long as high blood potassium does not occur, use in pregnancy or breastfeeding is believed to be safe for the baby.[5] Generally, the strength of the formulation for injection into a vein should not be greater than 40 mmol/L (3 mg/L).[4]
Potassium chloride came into large scale commercial use as a fertilizer in 1861 and has been used medically since the 1950s.[6][7] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[8] Potassium chloride is available as a generic medication.[4] In 2021, it was the 30th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 18 million prescriptions.[9][10]