Get Informed: Potassium
Active Ingredient(s)
Potassium
What does it do?
This product is used primarily for treatment of patients with low potassium levels.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 5:35 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Potassium
- Klor-CON
- Potassium Chloride
- K-DUR
- Klor-CON M20
- Klor-CON M10
- Potassium Chlorate
- KCL
- K-TAB
- K-LOR
- Potassium Acetate
- Micro K
- Potasium M
- Slow K
- Sando K
- KAY CEE L
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
- Please log in
- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 25 Apr 1975
- Est US Patients*
- 1,900,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- Yes
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Potassium or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Potassium
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Potassium during the past year.
Potassium Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Potassium interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Potassium used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 12,600 patients that use Potassium (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Low Potassium | 82% | 
|
| Muscle Spasms | 12% |
|
| Other | 12% |
|
How well does Potassium work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 12,600 users taking Potassium (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 80%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Potassium outweigh the bad things.
- 8%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Potassium.
Common Side Effects of Potassium
iGuard regularly polls our more than 12,600 users taking Potassium (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
11% of patients experience side-effects on Potassium
4% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Potassium
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Abdo Pain/Cramps
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Constipation, Diarrhea, Electrolyte Problems, Fatigue, Grogginess/Confusion, Heartburn/Reflux, Light Sensitivity, Weight Gain
Global Patient Feedback for Potassium ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I am given Potassium to counter the effects of the Lasix. The Lasix is supposed to spare my kidneys from the effects of Diabetes. Is all this necessary?
43 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-08 01:11:39
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Potassium is necessary to supplement because Lasix can cause potassium levels to be too low. Lasix helps reduce excess volume and fluid in the body by causing increased urination - ultimately this will lower blood pressure. Although Lasix lowers blood pressure which ultimately helps to protect the kidney, there are other medications that are used to help protect the kidneys in patients with diabetes. These medication are called Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE)-Inhibitors and include benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik). You need to speak with your doctor about your treatment plan and ask questions to better understand what your medications are used for and what you can expect from treatment.
Posted: 2010-01-10 19:49:40
Question/Comment:
Can anyone tell me if a side effect of taking potassium is chest pain, spasms?
Ally 57 year old female
57 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-11-07 21:33:05
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Chest pain and spasms are serious symptoms and need to be evaluated immediately to determine the cause. You should seek medical attention immediately.
Posted: 2009-11-10 21:29:16
Question/Comment:
I have been taking 75 mg of Maxide/50 mg of HCTZ for yrs along with 160 mgs of Lasix and have had RLS even as an infant. I also was taking 20 MEQ of KCL until a month ago when my dr increased it to 20 mg twice a day saying that my potassium level was critically low. Now she says it is dangerously low and has me taking 60 meq of KCL TID and want to see me in 2 weeks. I have had already suffered chest pains before I was ever on diuretics or potassium and since, that were relieved by Nitro tablets.My problem is if I don't take massive doses of diuretics I fill up with fluid not only in my extremities but also around my heart, so what can I do for that?
Don't tell me to walk or exercise more because I can't get out in the heat with my asthma either or I choke up and wind up in the hospital with bronchitis, and or pneumonia.
56 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-18 20:35:55
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Based on your description, it sounds like you need the diuretics to help remove the excessive fluid. Unfortunately, diuretics can cause low potassium and some patients need to also take potassium supplements when they take diuretics. You will need to work closely with your doctor who will measure your potassium level on a regular basis to make sure your potassium dose is correct. You will also want to talk to your doctor about what symptoms you should watch for and which symptom should prompt you to call your doctor and which ones should prompt you to go to the emergency room.
Posted: 2009-09-26 22:37:49
Question/Comment:
I take Klor-Con 10 and have the most painful cramps, inside thigh, and there not just at night I can have them anytime. Sometimes the pain is so bad I almost pass out. Is this a sign my potassium is low and I need to do something about it? Sometimes the cramping last more than 20 min.
60 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-17 13:20:14
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Muscle cramps can be a sign of low potassium, and the only way to determine if you need an increase in your potassium dose is via blood work. Muscle cramps and weakness can also be a side effect of other medications. When you are on potassium, it is important for your physician to check your potassium level during routine blood work.
Posted: 2009-09-20 22:04:39
Question/Comment:
I had a storke. The Klor-Con 10 ER Tablets 3 time a day. Big mood swings! Please help !
61 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-17 21:29:31
Answer/Reply:
There are several supplements you can take for mood swings. Check out this web page on web md for a list of them. Am sure you will find something that will help you.
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/herbs-vitamins-and-supplements-used-to-enhance-mood
58 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-17 15:59:16
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62
Patient Comments about
Potassium