THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS
- Treatment of hypokalaemia and adjustment of potassium depletion, in case of severe disorders or when intake by enteral route cannot be achieved or is inadequate.
NB : IV administration of potassium salt leads to a high potassium gradient which can cause hyperkalaemia and heart failure.
PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
The potassium chloride 10% solution is packaged in a polypropylene ampoule manufactured according to the BFS (blow fill seal) process. Its luer lock opening allows the direct connection of a syringue.
The bfs ampoules are available in strips of 5 units which can be individually detached from each other easily.
PHARMACO-THERAPEUTIC CLASS
Potassium supplement
PHARMACODYNAMICS
In terms of laboratory tests, an hypokalaemia lower than 3.6 mmol/l indicates potassium deficiency.
This deficiency can affect :
- The digestive tract : diarrhoea, vomiting, stimulating laxatives.
- The renal system : increased excretion in the urine in case of congenital tubular disease or during therapy by salidiuretics, corticoids or (IV) amphotericin B, by excessive alkaline or liquorice derivatives consumption.
- The endocrine system : primary hyperaldosteronism (that involves etiologic treatment).
Symptomatic potassium deficiency may produce some of the followings symptoms: muscular fatigability, pseudoparalysis, cramping and ECG modification, repolarisation disorders and ventricular hyperexcitability.
Chloride ion : correction of metabolic alkalosis often associated with hypokalaemia.
PHARMACOKINETICS
Urinay excretion mainly.
