Potassium chloride

General information

Oral potassium chloride is used to prevent or correct potassium depletion due to diuretic use or other conditions. Potassium chloride is available not only for medicinal purposes but also as a food supplement and salt substitute.

The main adverse reaction to oral potassium salts is hyperkalemia, particularly when they are used in combination with potassium-sparing drugs, such as spironolactone and ACE inhibitors, and gastrointestinal ulceration and perforation, particularly with modified-release formulations. The problems surrounding enteric-coated potassium chloride tablets are unresolved. Despite recommendations that they be withdrawn, some are still available. The risks seem to be less with slow-release potassium chloride tablets.

Simple dietary measures provide adequate potassium intake, and it is questionable whether for most patients potassium supplementation in any pharmaceutical form is necessary, as opposed to the use of potassium-sparing drugs.

Organs and systems