Get Informed: Potassium

33

Patient Comments about
Potassium

Active Ingredient(s)

Potassium

What does it do?

Potassium

This product is used primarily for treatment of patients with low potassium levels.

Last Text Update:
 2009-Nov-20 4:42 PM
Last Data Update:
 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM

Other Names

  • Potassium
  • Klor-CON
  • Potassium Chloride
  • K-DUR
  • Klor-CON M20
  • Klor-CON M10
  • Potassium Chlorate
  • KCL
  • K-TAB
  • K-LOR
  • Micro K
  • Potassium Acetate
  • Potasium M

How Safe Is It?

Your Risk Rating
Please log in
Average Risk Rating
2: General
Pregnancy Category:
C
Black Box Warning:
No

Facts & Figures

Date Approved
25 Apr 1975
Est US Patients*
2,040,000
Generic Available
Yes
OTC Available
Yes

User Age Distribution*

1

< 21

3

21-39

29

40-59

67

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.

Other Resources

Recent alerts for Potassium

Potassium Safety Report

2: General

The iGuard risk rating for Potassium is blue. It means that Potassium normally has a low risk of serious or long-term side effects if used under normal medical supervision.

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.org is currently tracking more than 11,900 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 75% 5
Muscle Spasms 17% 6
Prevent Side Effects From Other Medicine 5% 5
Other 14% 5

How well does Potassium work?

iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 11,900 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)

66 69
83%
of patients are confident that the good things about Potassium outweigh the bad things.
17%
of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Potassium.

Common Side Effects of Potassium

iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 11,900 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.

14%

14% of patients experience side-effects on Potassium

1%

1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Potassium


Most Common Side Effects...

  • = 10%

Less than 1%: Diarrhea, Drowsiness, Dry Mouth, Fatigue, Heartburn/Reflux, Insomnia, Itch/Rash, Nausea


Global Patient Feedback for Potassium ( Post a comment )

Comments, Questions, and Answers
Show Newest | Oldest first

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

Posted: 2009-11-07 21:33:05

iGuard.org 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.

55 year old Male

Posted: 2009-09-18 20:35:55

iGuard.org 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

Posted: 2009-09-17 13:20:14

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

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

Posted: 2009-08-17 15:59:16

Question/Comment:

with all the medication i take iam concerned as i sometimes have like pains around my heart like someone pulling at it. ekgs are normal. i check my blood pressure and sugar when this happens and thee fine. what else could it be. I take gluchopage for my type 2 diabetes, benicar for blood pressure,naproxen twice a day for arthritis,potassium 10mq 3 times a day and wellbutrin to keep me in a good mood

46 year old Female

Posted: 2009-06-26 06:50:30

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