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Potassium

Supportive Care

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What is potassium?

Potassium is a mineral that the human body needs to function properly. Staff members take blood samples to check the amount of potassium in the body. If the level is too high or too low, the staff may make changes to medicines or fluids that the patient is receiving.

Hypokalemia (not enough potassium in the blood)

Hypokalemia can occur:

  • If there is a sudden increase in the amount of fluid received
  • When you are taking certain medicines
  • If your kidneys are not working well
  • If you have a loss of body fluids from extended vomiting, diarrhea, or NG drainage

Medicines that may cause a decrease in the blood potassium level are diuretics (water pills), insulin, and amphotericin B.

The staff can give you potassium to increase the amount of this mineral in the blood. It is available in these forms:

  • 10-mg and 20-mg tablets (Micro-K® or K-Dur®)
  • A liquid taken by mouth
  • A powder (Neutra Phos®)
  • A clear liquid given by vein (IV)

    Hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the blood)

    Hyperkalemia can occur:
  • If your kidneys are not working well
  • When you are taking certain medications
  • If you have tumor lysis syndrome (a fast killing of cancer cells).
  • Medicines that may cause an increase in blood potassium are triamterene, spironolactone, and albuterol. Blood pressure lowering agents called ACE inhibitors can also cause an increase in potassium. These include captopril, enalapril, benazepril, and lisinopril.
  • To decrease potassium in the blood, staff members can give you sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate®), a cherry-flavored liquid.
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Possible side effects

  • Muscle weakness
  • Changes in the heart causing abnormal beating

Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, hives, itching, chills, fever, headache, muscle ache, shortness of breath, coughing, tightness in the throat, swelling of the face or neck.

Not all patients who take potassium will experience these side effects. Common side effects are bolded, but there may be others. Please report all suspected side effects to your doctor or pharmacist.

Find more information on side effects.

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Tips for patients and families

Be sure to discuss all questions and instructions with your doctor or pharmacist. 

Special instructions for hypokalemia

  • Micro-K® capsules can be opened and the contents sprinkled on food. Do not dissolve in liquid.
  • K-Dur® tablets cannot be crushed or cut in half. They may be dissolved in 5ml of water.
  • Neutra Phos® packets must be dissolved in at least 30 ml (2 tablespoons) of liquid.
  • Please talk to the doctor or nurse if you think you are having symptoms of hypokalemia.