Table of Contents

POTASSIUM PRODUCTS AND DOSING

Salt Form Strength Elemental K+
Potassium chloride tablet (Slow-K®) 600mg 8 mEq*
tablet (K-Dur®) 1500mg 20mEq*
liquid (e.g. K-10®) 1500mg/15mL 20mEq*/15mL
injection   2mEq*/mL
Potassium citrate effervescent tablet
(K-Lyte®)		 2.5g 25mEq*
Potassium acetate
 (reserved for TPN)		 injection   4mEq*/mL

* 1 mEq = 1mmol K+

Treatment of Hypokalemia:

Parenteral

Status Route Concentration and Rate
Moderate to Severe Deficiency:

(K+ < or = 3.0mmol/L with symptoms e.g. cardiac arrythmias or conduction disturbances, respiratory muscle weakness, paralaysis OR patient on digoxin)

ECG monitoring, frequent potassium levels, and acid-base balance are recommended

 IV intermittent:
general nursing units:      20mEq/100mL centrally or 20mEq/250mL peripherally administered over 1 hour 
critical/special care areas:  40mEq/100mL centrally over 1 hour  
IV infusion:
peripheral line Usual 20-40mEq/L infused at max rate of 10mEq/hour 
central line Usual 20-60mEq/L infused at max rate of 20mEq/hr

Oral

Status Dosage
Mild to Moderate Deficiency
(K+ 2.5-3.5mmol/L and patient is asymptomatic or on digoxin)		 40-100mEq/day in divided doses.
Check serum K+ levels daily.
Preventative Therapy 20-40mEq/day

NOTES:

  1. Administer supplements cautiously in patients with renal impairment and those on potassium sparing diuretics (e.g. spironolactone) or ACE inhibitors (e.g. ramipril).
  2. Magnesium deficiency must be replaced to adequately restore potassium.
  3. Marked symptoms of hypokalemia are unusual until the serum potassium concentration is less than 2.5mmol/L.