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Potassium supplements

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Potassium supplements should probably be tasted by doctors before they begin prescribing them as an alternative to other management of hypokalaemia. They taste disgusting, and are effervescent; these properties combine to render them strongly emetic.

The effervence is caused by bicarbonate, which worsens any associated alkalosis.

Slow K tablets are very large, and may cause GI ulceration; they should be taken with water when standing up.

Combination diuretics and potassium contain insufficient potassium to prevent significant hypokalaemia - 10 mmol instead of 40 to 60 mmol, and there is probably no rational indication for prescibing such drugs.


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