Brand Names: EPIKLOR, EPIKLOR/25, Kal Potassium 99, Kaochlor S-F, Kaon-CL 10, Kaon-CL 20%, Kay Ciel, KCl-20, K-Dur 10, K-Lor, Klor-Con, Klor-Con 10, Klor-Con 8, Klor-Con M10, Klor-Con M15, Klor-Con M20, Klor-Con/25, K-Tab, Micro-K, Micro-K 10, Rum-K

Generic Name: potassium chloride (Pronunciation: poe TASS ee um)

• What is potassium chloride (Micro-K)?
• What are the possible side effects of potassium chloride?
• What is the most important information I should know about potassium chloride?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking potassium chloride?
• How should I take potassium chloride?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while taking potassium chloride?
• What other drugs will affect potassium chloride?
• Where can I get more information?

What is potassium chloride (Micro-K)?

Potassium is a mineral that is found in many foods and is needed for several functions of your body, especially the beating of your heart.

Potassium chloride is used to prevent or to treat low blood levels of potassium (hypokalemia). Potassium levels can be low as a result of a disease or from taking certain medicines, or after a prolonged illness with diarrhea or vomiting.

Potassium chloride may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

K-Dur 10 mEq

oblong, white, imprinted with K-DUR 10

K-Dur 20 mEq

oblong, white, imprinted with K-DUR 20

Klor-Con 10 mEq

round, orange, imprinted with KLOR-CON 10

Klor-Con 8 mEq

round, blue, imprinted with KLOR-CON 8

Klor-Con M10

oblong, white, imprinted with KC M10

Klor-Con M20

oblong, white, imprinted with KCM20

Micro-K 10 mEq

orange/white, imprinted with MICRO-K 10, Ther-Rx 009

Potassium Chloride 10 mEq-APH

round, orange, imprinted with 6910 AP 10mEq

Potassium Chloride 10 mEq-TEV

oblong, white, imprinted with US 10

Potassium Chloride 20 mEq-TEV

oblong, white, imprinted with US 20

Potassium Chloride 20 mg SR-WAR

oblong, white, imprinted with W-1714

Potassium Chloride ER 8 mEq-COP

round, orange, imprinted with COPLEY 225

Potassium Chloride SR 10 mEq Tab-GG

round, white, imprinted with USL 10

Potassium Chloride SR 10 mEq-ETH

clear, imprinted with ETHEX, 001

Potassium Chloride SR 20 mEq-ETH

oblong, white, imprinted with 2 0, ETH

Slow-K

round, peach, imprinted with Slow-K

What are the possible side effects of potassium chloride?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• confusion, anxiety, feeling like you might pass out;
• uneven heartbeat;
• extreme thirst, increased urination;
• leg discomfort;
• muscle weakness or limp feeling;
• numbness or tingly feeling in your hands or feet, or around your mouth;
• severe stomach pain, ongoing diarrhea or vomiting;
• black, bloody, or tarry stools; or
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea or upset stomach;
• mild or occasional diarrhea;
• slight tingling in your hands or feet; or
• appearance of a potassium chloride tablet in your stool.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Micro-K (potassium chloride extended-release) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about potassium chloride?

You should not use this medication if you have kidney failure, Addison's disease, severe burns or other tissue injury, if you are dehydrated, if you take certain diuretics (water pills), or if you have high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia).

Do not crush, chew, break, or suck on an extended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking or crushing the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. Sucking on a potassium tablet can irritate your mouth or throat.

Take this medication with food or just after a meal.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. Your heart rate may also be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG) to measure electrical activity of the heart. This test will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with potassium. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Serious side effects of potassium include uneven heartbeat, muscle weakness or limp feeling, severe stomach pain, and numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or mouth.

Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking potassium suddenly, your condition may become worse.