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Potassium Bicarbonate

Basic Information

Brand names:
Potassium Bicarbonate Effervescent Tablets for Oral Solution
Klor-Con/EF(R)
K-Lyte(R)
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? Some yes; others no

NATURAL SOURCES

Avocados
Bananas
Chard
Citrus fruit
Juices grapefruit, tomato, orange
Lentils, dried
Milk
Molasses
Nuts almonds, Brazil, cashews, peanuts, pecans, walnuts
Parsnips
Peaches, dried
Potatoes
Raisins
Sardines, canned
Spinach, fresh
Whole-grain cereals

REASONS TO USE

  • Promotes regular heartbeat.
  • Promotes normal muscle contraction.
  • Regulates transfer of nutrients to cells.
  • Maintains water balance in body tissues and cells.
  • Preserves or restores normal function of nerve cells, heart cells, skeletal-muscle cells, kidneys, stomach-juice secretion.
  • Treats potassium deficiency from illness or taking diuretics (water pills), cortisone drugs or digitalis preparations.

    UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS

  • Cures alcoholism.
  • Cures acne.
  • Cures allergies.
  • Cures heart disease.
  • Helps heal burns.
  • Prevents high blood pressure.

    WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?

  • People who take diuretics, cortisone drugs or digitalis preparations.
  • Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake or increased nutritional requirements.
  • Older people (over 55 years).
  • Pregnant or breast-feeding women.
  • Women taking oral contraceptives.
  • People who abuse alcohol or other drugs.
  • Tobacco smokers.
  • People with a chronic wasting illness, excess stress for long periods or who have recently undergone surgery.
  • Athletes and workers who participate in vigorous physical activities, especially when endurance is an important aspect of the activity.
  • Those with part of the gastrointestinal tract surgically removed.
  • People with malabsorption illnesses (See Glossary).
  • Those with recent severe burns or injuries.
  • Vegetarians.

    DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

  • Hypokalemia
  • Weakness, paralysis
  • Low blood pressure
  • Life-threatening, irregular or rapid heartbeat that can lead to cardiac arrest and death

    UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS

  • Acne
  • Allergies
  • High blood pressure

    LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY

  • Serum-potassium determinations
  • Serum creatinine
  • Electrocardiograms
  • Serum-pH determinations

    DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION

    Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):
    No RDA has been established. Nutritionists recommend a DECREASE
    in sodium (table salt) intake and an INCREASE in foods high in
    potassium for a total daily intake of 40 to 150 milliequivalents
    per day.

    What this mineral does:

  • Potassium is the predominant positive electrolyte in body cells. An enzyme (adenosinetriphosphatase) controls flow of potassium and sodium into and out of cells to maintain normal function of heart, brain, skeletal muscles, normal kidney function, acid-base balance.

    Miscellaneous information:

  • Normal potassium content is reduced when foods are canned or frozen.
  • Avoid peeling food.
  • Avoid cooking food in large amounts of water.
  • Keep meat drippings and use as gravies.

    Available as:

  • Effervescent tablets: Dilute in at least 1/2 glass water or other liquid. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
  • Potassium is not recommended for children.
  • Some forms available by generic name.

    WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

    Don't take if you:

  • Take potassium-sparing diuretics, such as spironolactone, triamterene or amiloride.
  • Are allergic to any potassium supplement.
  • Have kidney disease.

    Consult your doctor if you have:

  • Addison's disease.
  • Heart disease.
  • Intestinal blockage.
  • A stomach ulcer.
  • To use diuretics.
  • To use heart medicine.
  • To use laxatives or if you have chronic diarrhea.
  • To use salt substitutes or low-salt milk.

    Over age 55:

  • Observe dose schedule strictly. Potassium balance is critical. Deviation above or below normal can have serious results.

    Pregnancy:

  • No problems expected, except with megadoses.

    Breast-feeding:

  • Studies inconclusive on harm to infant. Consult doctor about supplement.
  • Don't take megadoses.

    Effect on lab tests:

  • ECG and kidney function studies can be affected by too much or too little potassium.
  • None expected on blood studies, except serum-potassium levels.

    Storage:

  • Store in cool, dry area away from direct light, but don't freeze.
  • Store safely out of reach of children.
  • Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change action of the mineral.

    Others:

  • Take with meals or with food.

    OVERDOSE/TOXICITY

    Signs and symptoms:
    Irregular or fast heartbeat, paralysis of arms and legs,
    blood-pressure drop, convulsions, coma, cardiac arrest.

    What to do:

  • For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section below.
  • For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest Poison Control Center. If person's heart has stopped beating, render CPR until trained help arrives.

    ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

    Reaction or effect What to do
    Black, tarry stool Seek emergency treatment.
    Bloody stool Seek emergency treatment.
    Breathing difficulty Seek emergency treatment.
    Confusion Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Diarrhea Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Extreme fatigue Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Heaviness in legs Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Irregular heartbeat Seek emergency treatment.
    Nausea Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Numbness in hands or feet Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Stomach discomfort Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Tingling in hands and feet Discontinue. Call doctor when
    convenient.
    Vomiting Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Weakness Discontinue. Call doctor
    immediately.

    INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS

    Interacts with Combined effect
    Amiloride Causes dangerous rise in blood
    potassium.
    Atropine Increases possibility of
    intestinal ulcers, which may
    occur with oral potassium.
    Belladonna Increases possibility of
    intestinal ulcers, which may
    occur with oral potassium.
    Calcium Increases possibility of
    heartbeat irregularities.
    Captopril Increases chance of excessive
    amounts of potassium.
    Cortisone Decreases effect of potassium.
    Digitalis preparations May cause irregular heartbeat.
    Enalapril Increases chance of excessive
    amounts of potassium.
    Laxatives May decrease potassium effect.
    Spironolactone Increases blood potassium.
    Triamterene Increases blood potassium.
    Vitamin B-12 Extended-release tablets may
    decrease vitamin B-12
    absorption and increase
    vitamin B-12 requirements.

    INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

    Tobacco decreases absorption. Smokers may require
    supplemental potassium.

  • Alcohol intensifies gastrointestinal symptoms.
  • Cocaine may cause irregular heartbeat.
  • Marijuana may cause irregular heartbeat.

    Beverages

  • Salty drinks, such as tomato juice and commercial thirst quenchers, cause increased fluid retention.
  • Coffee decreases potassium absorption and intensifies gastrointestinal symptoms.
  • Low-salt milk increases fluid retention.

    Foods

  • Salty foods increase fluid retention.
  • Sugar decreases potassium absorption.

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