Potassium Chloride Extended-Release Micro-Dispersible Oral Tablets

What is this medicine?

POTASSIUM CHLORIDE (poe TASS i um KLOOR ide) is a potassium supplement. It prevents or treats low potassium levels. Potassium is important for the heart, muscles, and nerves. Too much or too little potassium in the body can cause serious problems.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this drug by mouth with a glass of water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Take it with food. Keep taking it unless your health care provider tells you to stop.

When taking whole tablets: Swallow whole. Do not suck, crush, or chew it. You may cut it in half. This may help you to swallow the tablet if it is too big. Be sure to take both halves, each with a glass of water. Do not take just one-half of the tablet.

When using tablets to make a solution: Place the tablet in a glass of water (4 ounces). After 2 minutes, stir the mixture for 30 seconds. Drink the mixture right away. Add another ounce of water. Swirl the contents. Drink the mixture right away. Repeat adding an ounce of water, swirling, and drinking the mixture right away.

Talk to your health care provider about the use of this drug in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions (skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue)

• breathing problems

• confusion

• heartburn (burning feeling in chest, often after eating or when lying down)

• high potassium levels (chest pain; fast, irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness)

• low blood pressure (dizziness; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; unusually weak or tired)

• pain, tingling, or numbness in lips, hands, or feet

• pain when swallowing

• stomach bleeding (bloody or black, tarry stools; spitting up blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds)

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea

• nausea, vomiting

• passing gas

• stomach pain

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• certain diuretics such as spironolactone, triamterene

• certain medicines for stomach problems like atropine; difenoxin and glycopyrrolate

• eplerenone

• sodium polystyrene sulfonate

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• certain medicines for blood pressure or heart disease like lisinopril, losartan, quinapril, valsartan

• medicines that lower your chance of fighting infection such as cyclosporine, tacrolimus

• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen

• other potassium supplements

• salt substitutes

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F ). Protect from light and moisture. Keep the container tightly closed. Throw away any unused drug after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Addison disease

• dehydration

• diabetes, high blood sugar

• difficulty swallowing

• heart disease

• high levels of potassium in the blood

• irregular heartbeat or rhythm

• kidney disease

• large areas of burned skin

• stomach ulcers, other stomach or intestine problems

• an unusual or allergic reaction to potassium, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your health care provider for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care provider if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. You may need blood work done while you are taking this drug.

Avoid salt substitutes while on this drug unless you are told otherwise by your health care provider. You may need to be on a special diet. Ask your health care provider.

If you get black tarry stools or vomit up what looks like coffee grounds, call your health care provider right away. You may have a bleeding ulcer.