Disclaimer to the Online Edition
This Manual has been designed for use in the NICU at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), London, Ontario, Canada, and represents clinical practice at this institution. The information contained within the Manual may not be applicable to other centres. If users of this Manual are not familiar with a drug, it is recommended that the official monograph be consulted before it is prescribed and administered. Any user of this information is advised that the contributors, Editor and LHSC are not responsible for any errors or omissions, and / or any consequences arising from the use of the information in this Manual.
potassium chloride
Indication
- Used to treat or prevent hypokalemia
Dosage Guidelines
- Treatment: 2-5 mmol/kg/day IV continuous infusion or ORAL in divided doses
- Prevention: 0.5-1 mmol/kg/day ORAL once daily or divided q12 hours
Administration
- IV infusion: Maximum peripheral line concentration is 40 mmol/L
Maximum central line concentration is 80 mmol/L
- Infuse at a rate of 0.3-0.5 mmol/kg/hr
- ORAL: Administer with feeds to avoid gastric irritation.
Adverse Effects
- Rapid infusion may cause arrhythmias
- Thrombophlebitis
- GI irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, distention (with oral administration)
- hyperkalemia (most common and serious hazard) - listlessness, irritability, muscle weakness, hypotension, respiratory distress, cardiac dysrhythmias, heart block, cardiac arrest
Comments
Monitor serum potassium 8 to 12 hours after starting IV infusion, or 24 hours after starting oral supplementation. Initially, monitor serum potassium every 2 to 3 days while on therapy. Once stable, check at least once weekly.
Normal requirement for premature neonates is 2 to 3 mmol/kg/day
- NOTE: 1 mmol potassium = 1 mEq potassium
Supplied As
- 0.2 mmol/mL, 0.4 mmol/mL IV
- 1.33 mmol/mL oral solution
References
LexiComp Sick Kids, LexiComp Pediatric and Neonatal, Neofax