Potassium Citrate

Potassium is a mineral that is found in many foods and is needed for several functions of your body, especially the beating of your heart. Potassium citrate is used to treat a kidney stone condition called renal tubular acidosis. Potassium citrate may also be used for other purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Potassium is a mineral that is found in many foods and is needed for several functions of your body, especially the beating of your heart. Potassium citrate is used to treat a kidney stone condition called renal tubular acidosis. Potassium citrate may also be used for other purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia); kidney failure; a urinary tract infection; untreated or uncontrolled diabetes; Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder); a large tissue injury such as a severe burn; a peptic ulcer in your stomach; if you are severely dehydrated; or if you are taking a "potassium-sparing" diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic), spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide). You should not take potassium citrate tablets if you have problems with your esophagus, stomach, or intestines that make it difficult for you to swallow or digest pills. Before using potassium citrate, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: kidney disease; congestive heart failure, enlarged heart, or history of heart attack; other heart disease or high blood pressure; diabetes; a blockage in your stomach or intestines; or chronic diarrhea (such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease). If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take potassium citrate.

confusion, anxiety, feeling like you might pass out; uneven heartbeat; extreme thirst, increased urination; leg discomfort; muscle weakness or limp feeling; numbness or tingly feeling in your hands or feet, or around your mouth; severe stomach pain, ongoing diarrhea or vomiting; black, bloody, or tarry stools; or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds. Less serious side effects may include: mild nausea or upset stomach; mild or occasional diarrhea; or appearance of a potassium citrate tablet in your stool. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You should not take potassium citrate tablets if you have problems with your esophagus, stomach, or intestines that make it difficult for you to swallow or digest pills. To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. Your heart rate may also be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG) to measure electrical activity of the heart. This test will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with potassium. Do not miss any scheduled appointments. Serious side effects of potassium citrate include uneven heartbeat, muscle weakness or limp feeling, severe stomach pain, and numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or mouth.

You should not take potassium citrate tablets if you have problems with your esophagus, stomach, or intestines that make it difficult for you to swallow or digest pills. To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. Your heart rate may also be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG) to measure electrical activity of the heart. This test will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with potassium. Do not miss any scheduled appointments. Serious side effects of potassium citrate include uneven heartbeat, muscle weakness or limp feeling, severe stomach pain, and numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or mouth.

10 mEq (10 (10)) 8 hourly PO — This is the initial dose in patients with mild-moderate hypocitraturia (urinary citrate > 150 mg/day). Twenty-four hour urinary citrate and/or urinary pH measurements should be used to determine the adequacy of the initial dosage and to evaluate the effectiveness of any dosage change. In addition, urinary citrate and/or pH should be measured every four months. 20 mEq (20 (20)) 8 hourly PO — This is the initial dose in patients with severe hypocitraturia (urinary citrate of less than 150 mg/day). Twenty-four hour urinary citrate and/or urinary pH measurements should be used to determine the adequacy of the initial dosage and to evaluate the effectiveness of any dosage change. In addition, urinary citrate and/or pH should be measured every four months. Scraped Dose — Take potassium citrate exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Measure the liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Take potassium citrate with a meal or bedtime snack, or within 30 minutes after a meal. To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. Your heart rate may also be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG) to measure electrical activity of the heart. This test will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with potassium. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

The following drugs can interact with potassium citrate. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these: eplerenone (Inspra); digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin); candesartan (Atacand), losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar), valsartan (Diovan), or telmisartan (Micardis); glycopyrrolate (Robinul); mepenzolate (Cantil); quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release); atropine (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop); a bronchodilator such as ipratroprium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva); bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare); irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine); an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik); or any type of diuretic (water pill) such as bumetanide (Bumex), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zarxolyn), or torsemide (Demadex). This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with potassium citrate. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Store Between 15°C-30°C. Protect from Sunlight, Moisture and Heat.