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USES: Potassium supplements are used to prevent or treat low potassium blood levels caused by diuretics (water pills), illnesses or poor diet. Also used for certain cases of high blood pressure.
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Overview | Photos | How
To Use | Side
Effects | Precautions | Missed
Dose | Drug
Interactions | |
K-Dur
Uses
Potassium supplements are used to prevent or treat low potassium blood levels caused by diuretics (water pills), illnesses or poor diet. Also used for certain cases of high blood pressure. Notes
- Salt substitutes contain potassium instead of sodium.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about using a salt substitute.
- Good sources of potassium-containing foods include bananas, citrus fruits, watermelon, cantaloupe, raisins, dates, prunes, avocados, apricots, beans, lentils, fish, chicken, turkey, ham, beef and milk.
Storage
- Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) away from heat and light as directed.
- Do not store in the bathroom.
Photos How
To Use - Take this by mouth as directed.
- You may swallow the tablets whole or, if you have trouble swallowing tablets, dissolve them in a glass of cool water.
- It may take a few minutes to dissolve.
- After the tablet has dissolved, stir for a minute, swirl the glass and drink.
- Rinse the glass with more water and drink it to assure all the medication is taken.
- Take this medication with meals to prevent stomach upset.
- Do not take on an empty stomach.
Side
Effects - Nausea, stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhea may occur the first several days as your body adjusts to this.
- If these symptoms continue or become severe, inform your doctor.
- Notify your doctor if you experience breathing trouble, chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, dark or tarry stools, confusion or tingling of the hands or feet while taking this.
- If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
- Before taking this, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, heart disease, history of ulcers or if you have any allergies.
- Symptoms of low potassium include fatigue, weakness, muscle twitching or cramps, dry mouth and excessive thirst.
- This medication should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy.
- Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
- It is not known if this drug is excreted into breast milk.
- Consult with your doctor before breast-feeding.
Missed
Dose - If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
- If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
- Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
Drug
Interactions - Tell your doctor of any nonprescription or prescription medication you may take particularly diuretics (water pills), blood pressure medication (especially ACE inhibitors) or digoxin.
- Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
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CONDITIONS
OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information
is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions
or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular
drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional
should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or
discontinuing any course of treatment. |