Potassium Chloride

Adults: Oral dose: Take with or after meals, along with plenty of fluid such as water or fruit juice. For preventing low potassium levels, the typical dose is up to 50 mmol (about 37.5 mL) daily by mouth. Oral treatment may also be suitable for some cases of low potassium; similar doses to those used for prevention are often adequate for mild deficiency, though higher doses may be needed for more severe deficiency. Parenteral dose: Intravenous administration may be needed for acute low potassium levels. One ampoule (10 mL), equal to 1.5 gm (20 mmol K+), may be added to 500 mL of sodium chloride or glucose intravenous infusion and given slowly over 2 to 3 hours, with specialist advice and ECG monitoring in difficult cases. Potassium levels should be measured repeatedly to determine whether further infusions are needed and to avoid the development of high potassium levels, which is especially likely to occur in people with impaired kidney function. Use in children: No special precautions are required.