Table of Contents

POTASSIUM PRODUCTS AND DOSING

 

Salt

 

Form

 

Strength

 

Elemental K+

 

Potassium chloride

 

tablet (Slow-K®) 

tablet (K-Dur®) 

liquid (e.g. K-10®))

 injection
 

 

600mg 

1500mg

 1500mg/15mL

 

 

8 mEq*

 20mEq*

 20mEq*/15mL

 2mEq*/mL

 

Potassium citrate

 

effervescent tablet(K-Lyte®)
 

 

2.5g

 

25mEq*

 

Potassium acetate (reserved for TPN)
 

 

injection

 

 

 

4mEq*/mL

* 1mEq = 1mmol K+

 Treatment of Hypokalemia:

Parenteral

 

Status

 

Route

 

Concentration and Rate

 

Moderate to Severe Deficiency:
(K+ £ 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:

 critical/special care areas:

 IV infusion:
 peripheral line:

 central line:

 

 

 20mEq/50mL centrally or 20mEq/250mL peripherally administered over 1 hour

 40mEq/100mL centrally over 1 hour

 Usual 20-40mEq/L infused at max rate of10mEq/hour

 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.