KLOR-CON ®
particularly careful monitoring of the serum potassium concentration
potassium is administered too rapidly intravenously, potentially fatal
hyperkalemia can result (see Contraindications and Warnings). It is Interaction with Potassium-Sparing Diuretics: Hypokalemia should
important to recognize that hyperkalemia is usually asymptomatic and
Powder (Potassium Chloride for Oral Solution, USP)
not be treated by the concomitant administration of potassium salts
may be manifested only by an increased serum potassium
and a potassium-sparing diuretic (e.g., spironolactone, triamterene or
concentration and characteristic electrocardiographic changes
(peaking of T-waves, loss of P-wave, depression of S-T segment and
amiloride), since the simultaneous administration of these agents canproduce severe hyperkalemia.
prolongation of the QT interval). Late manifestations include muscleparalysis and cardiovascular collapse from cardiac arrest. Metabolic Acidosis: Hypokalemia in patients with metabolic acidosis
KLOR-CON ®
should be treated with an alkalinizing potassium salt such as
Treatment measures for hyperkalemia include the following: (1)
potassium bicarbonate, potassium citrate or potassium acetate.
elimination of foods and medications containing potassium and of
Powder (Potassium Chloride for Oral Solution, USP)
potassium-sparing diuretics; (2) intravenous administration of 300 to
Precautions
500 mL/hr of 10% dextrose solution containing 10-20 units of insulin
General: The diagnosis of potassium depletion is ordinarily made by
per 1,000 mL; (3) correction of acidosis, if present, with intravenous
demonstrating hypokalemia in a patient with a clinical history
sodium bicarbonate; (4) use of exchange resins, hemodialysis or
suggesting some cause for potassium depletion. Laboratory Tests: In interpreting the serum potassium level, the
In treating hyperkalemia, it should be recalled that in patients who have
physician should be aware that acute alkalosis per se can produce
been stabilized on digitalis, too rapid a lowering of the serum
Description
potassium bicarbonate, potassium citrate or potassium acetate.
hypokalemia in the absence of a deficit in total body potassium, while
potassium concentration can produce digitalis toxicity.
Fruit-flavored KLOR-CON® and KLOR-CON®/25 Powder (Potassium
Indications and Usage
acute acidosis per se can increase the serum potassium concentration Dosage and Administration
Chloride for Oral Solution, USP) are oral potassium supplements
into the normal range even in the presence of a reduced total body
1) For therapeutic use in patients with hypokalemia with or without
offered as powder for reconstitution in individual packets. Each
potassium. The treatment of potassium depletion, particularly in the
Dosage must be adjusted to the individual needs of each patient but
metabolic alkalosis; in digitalis intoxication and in patients with
packet of KLOR-CON® powder contains potassium 20 mEq and
presence of cardiac disease, renal disease, or acidosis, requires
is typically in the range of 20 mEq per day for the prevention of
hypokalemic familial periodic paralysis.
chloride 20 mEq provided by potassium chloride 1.5 g. Each packet
careful attention to acid-base balance and appropriate monitoring of
hypokalemia to 40-100 mEq per day or more for the treatment of
of KLOR-CON®/25 powder contains potassium 25 mEq and chloride
2) For prevention of potassium depletion when the dietary intake of
serum electrolytes, the electrocardiogram, and the clinical status of the
25 mEq provided by potassium chloride 1.875 g. KLOR-CON® and
potassium is inadequate in the following conditions: patients receiving
The usual adult dose is 20-100 mEq of potassium per day (one
KLOR-CON®/25 are sugar-free. Inactive ingredients: FD&C Yellow
digitalis and diuretics for congestive heart failure; hepatic cirrhosis
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility: Carcin-
KLOR-CON® 20 mEq packet 1 to 5 times daily after meals or one
No. 6, malic acid, neotame, silicon dioxide, and natural and/or
with ascites; states of aldosterone excess with normal renal function;
ogenicity, mutagenicity and fertility studies in animals have not been
KLOR-CON®/25 25 mEq packet 1 to 4 times daily after meals).
potassium-losing nephropathy and certain diarrheal states.
performed. Potassium is a normal dietary constituent.
The contents of each KLOR-CON® packet should be dissolved in at
3) The use of potassium salts in patients receiving diuretics for
Clinical Pharmacology Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have
least 4 ounces of cold water or other beverage. The contents of each
uncomplicated essential hypertension is often unnecessary when such
KLOR-CON®/25 packet should be dissolved in at least 5 ounces of
Potassium ion is the principal intracellular cation of most body tissues.
not been conducted with potassium chloride. It is not known if
patients have a normal dietary pattern. Serum potassium should be
cold water or other beverage. These preparations, like other
Potassium ions participate in a number of essential physiological
potassium chloride causes fetal harm when administered to a
checked periodically, however, and if hypokalemia occurs, dietary
potassium supplements, must be properly diluted to avoid the
processes, including the maintenance of intracellular tonicity, the
pregnant woman or affects reproductive capacity. Potassium chloride
supplementation with potassium-containing foods may be adequate to
possibility of gastrointestinal irritation.
transmission of nerve impulses, the contraction of cardiac, skeletal,
should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
control milder cases. In more severe cases supplementation with
and smooth muscle and the maintenance of normal renal function. Nursing Mothers: Many drugs are excreted in human milk and How Supplied
Potassium depletion may occur whenever the rate of potassium loss
because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing
Contraindications
KLOR-CON® Powder (Potassium Chloride for Oral Solution, USP)
through renal excretion and/or loss from the gastrointestinal tract
infants from oral potassium supplements, a decision should be made
20 mEq is supplied in cartons of 30 packets (NDC 0245-0035-30)
exceeds the rate of potassium intake. Such depletion usually develops
Potassium supplements are contraindicated in patients with
whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into
and cartons of 100 packets (NDC 0245-0035-01).
slowly as a consequence of prolonged therapy with oral diuretics,
account the importance of the drug to the mother.
contains potassium 20 mEq and chloride 20 mEq provided by
primary or secondary hyperaldosteronism, diabetic ketoacidosis,
concentration in such patients can produce cardiac arrest. Hyper-
Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in children have not been
severe diarrhea, or inadequate replacement of potassium in patients
kalemia may complicate any of the following conditions: chronic renal
KLOR-CON®/25 Powder (Potassium Chloride for Oral Solution, USP)
on prolonged parenteral nutrition. Potassium depletion due to these
failure, systemic acidosis such as diabetic acidosis, acute dehydration,
25 mEq is supplied in cartons of 30 packets (NDC 0245-0037-30)
causes is usually accompanied by a concomitant deficiency of chloride
extensive tissue breakdown as in severe burns, adrenal insufficiency,
Adverse Reactions
and cartons of 100 (NDC 0245-0037-01). Each packet contains
and is manifested by hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. Potassium
or the administration of a potassium-sparing diuretic (e.g.,
The most common adverse reactions to oral potassium salts are
potassium 25 mEq and chloride 25 mEq provided by potassium
depletion may produce weakness, fatigue, disturbances of cardiac
spironolactone, triamterene or amiloride). Contraindicated in persons
nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea. These
rhythm (primarily ectopic beats), prominent U-waves in the electro-
demonstrating allergy to any of the components of the powder.
symptoms are due to irritation of the gastrointestinal tract and are best
cardiogram, and in advanced cases flaccid paralysis and/or impaired
managed by diluting the preparation further, taking the dose with
Store at controlled room temperature, 15-30°C (59-86°F). Warnings Hyperkalemia: In patients with impaired mechanisms for excreting
Potassium depletion associated with metabolic alkalosis is managed
One of the most severe adverse effects is hyperkalemia (see
potassium, the administration of potassium salts can produce
by correcting the fundamental causes of the deficiency whenever
Contraindications, Warnings and Overdosage). Skin rash has been
hyperkalemia and cardiac arrest. This occurs most commonly in
possible and administering supplemental potassium chloride, in the
patients given potassium by the intravenous route but may also occur
form of high potassium food or potassium chloride solution or tablets.
in patients given potassium orally. Potentially fatal hyperkalemia can
Overdosage
1999 Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
In rare circumstances (e.g., patients with renal tubular acidosis)
develop rapidly and be asymptomatic.
potassium depletion may be associated with metabolic acidosis and
The administration of oral potassium salts to persons with normal
The use of potassium salts in patients with chronic renal disease, or
hyperchloremia. In such patients potassium replacement should be
any other condition which impairs potassium excretion, requires
accomplished with potassium salts other than the chloride, such as
hyperkalemia. However, if excretory mechanisms are impaired or if
Claire Henchcliffe, MD, DPhil Director of the Parkinson’s Institute at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center Joseph Friedman, MD Alpert Medical School of Brown University Director, Educational Strategy and ContentLyons KE, et al. Int J Neurosci. 2011;121:27-36. Earlier vs. Later Initiation of Treatment: Rationale for Early Rationale