Korean Chloride-40 (Potassium Chloride Injection)

Adult dosage

[Tablets] Treatment dose: usually 1,200-3,000mg of potassium chloride per day divided into appropriate doses. Preventive dose: in patients receiving diuretics, 600mg should be taken once daily immediately after meals without chewing or crushing. [Injection] Typically dilute 0.5-3g of potassium chloride in a diluent such as Ringer's solution to a concentration of less than 0.3% (40 mEq of potassium) and administer intravenously at a rate of less than 8mL per minute for more than 4 hours.

When using glass ampoules, there is a risk of glass fragments contaminating the solution, so they must be cut cleanly and safely. Extra caution is required, especially when used by children or the elderly. This medication should not be used in patients who are allergic to its components, have poor kidney function, have heart problems, are in acute dehydration, have severe burns, have gastrointestinal issues or obstructions, have had heart surgery, or have hyperkalemia. Patients with reduced kidney function, heart disease, conditions prone to hyperkalemia, and hyperchloremia should use this medication very cautiously. Using this medication may lead to symptoms of potassium excess such as tingling in hands and feet, muscle paralysis, mental confusion, reduced blood pressure, and cardiac arrhythmias. Digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and alterations in ECG may also occur. It is important to regularly monitor potassium levels in the blood and ECG changes as muscle tension reduction and heart function abnormalities may occur. Especially with prolonged use, more thorough examinations are needed, and if hyperkalemia develops, use must be stopped immediately. If used with potassium-rich drugs, the risk of hyperkalemia increases, so patients taking such medications should frequently check their serum potassium levels. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should use this medication cautiously as its safety has not been sufficiently established. Elderly individuals should be given special attention, such as dose reduction, due to decreased bodily functions. Overdosage can lead to severe hyperkalemia, and if symptoms occur, use should be stopped immediately, and appropriate treatment should be sought. Treatments may include calcium administration, insulin and glucose therapy, ion exchange resins, or dialysis. This medication must be administered solely via intravenous injection, and it must be adequately diluted and mixed before use. Not diluting properly may pose risks to the heart, so prescribed concentrations and dosages must be adhered to. The rate of administration should not exceed 20mEq of potassium per hour, and when used with other electrolytes, the electrolyte balance should be monitored closely.

Serious side effects

• ECG abnormalities, heart block (including arrhythmias), cardiac arrest, low blood pressure, risk of cardiac arrest due to hyperkalemia, weakness and lethargy of the legs,
• changes in ECG (T wave sharpening, QRS widening, ST segment shortening, flattening or loss of P wave), muscle paralysis, cardiovascular collapse.

Mild side effects

• Paresthesias, flaccid paralysis, apathy, mental confusion, weakness and lethargy of the legs, low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias,
• ECG abnormalities, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, reduced muscle tone, heart function abnormalities, pain (when administered intravenously).

This medication should be stored in a sealed container to prevent contact with air, at a temperature between 1°C and 30°C. This storage will help keep the medication's efficacy intact.

Appearance

A colorless, transparent liquid in a colorless, transparent glass or plastic (polypropylene or polyethylene, composite film plastic) injectable container.

Package unit

20 mL × 50 ampoules