POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.075% IN DEXTROSE 10% AND SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.9% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER
Clinical safety rating: safe
No significant drug interactions Can cause hypernatremia and fluid overload.
Potassium chloride maintains intracellular tonicity and is essential for nerve conduction, muscle contraction, and acid-base balance. Dextrose provides calories and may decrease protein and nitrogen loss. Sodium chloride maintains extracellular fluid volume and electrolyte balance.
| Metabolism | Potassium is primarily excreted unchanged by the kidneys. Dextrose undergoes glycolysis and is metabolized to carbon dioxide and water. Sodium is excreted predominantly by the kidneys. |
| Excretion | Potassium is primarily excreted renally (approximately 90%) via glomerular filtration and distal tubular secretion. Fecal elimination accounts for ~10% under normal conditions. Dextrose and sodium chloride are fully metabolized or excreted renally. |
| Half-life | Potassium has no true elimination half-life due to tight homeostatic regulation; the terminal half-life of potassium tracer is approximately 12-14 hours in healthy individuals. Clinically, redistribution half-life is ~1 hour. Effect persists as long as infusion continues, with transient changes after cessation. |
| Protein binding | Potassium is minimally protein-bound (<2%); no specific binding protein. Dextrose and sodium chloride are not protein bound. |
| Volume of Distribution | Potassium: approximately 0.5 L/kg (total body water). Dextrose: distributes into total body water (~0.6 L/kg). Sodium chloride: distributes into extracellular fluid (~0.2 L/kg). For interpretation: Vd for potassium reflects its primarily intracellular distribution. |
| Bioavailability | Intravenous: 100% (complete bioavailability). Not administered via other routes for this formulation. |
| Onset of Action | Intravenous: Correction of hypokalemia occurs within minutes to hours depending on infusion rate; serum potassium rises within 1-2 hours with appropriate dosing. |
| Duration of Action | Duration is dependent on infusion rate and renal function; effects persist while potassium is administered, with steady state achieved in 4-6 hours. After discontinuation, levels decline over several hours if no maintenance. |
Intravenous infusion; rate determined by fluid and electrolyte needs; typical adult rate: 100-200 mL/hour (contains 10 g dextrose, 9 mEq sodium, 0.075 g potassium chloride per 100 mL); maximum potassium infusion rate: 10 mEq/hour (13.3 mL/hour of this solution) unless critical hypokalemia.
| Dosage form | INJECTABLE |
| Renal impairment | Contraindicated in severe renal impairment (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m²) due to risk of hyperkalemia and fluid overload; for eGFR 30-60 mL/min/1.73 m², use with caution, monitor potassium levels, reduce infusion rate to ≤5 mEq potassium/hour (6.7 mL/hour). |
| Liver impairment | No specific dose adjustment required for Child-Pugh A or B; for Child-Pugh C, monitor for fluid overload and electrolyte imbalances due to reduced albumin and altered drug metabolism; consider reducing infusion rate and volume. |
| Pediatric use | Weight-based dosing: 5-20 mL/kg/day (providing dextrose 0.5-2 g/kg/day, sodium 0.45-1.8 mEq/kg/day, potassium 0.0375-0.15 mEq/kg/day); adjust rate to maintain serum potassium 3.5-5.0 mEq/L; maximum potassium infusion rate: 0.5-1 mEq/kg/hour (0.67-1.33 mL/kg/hour of this solution). |
| Geriatric use | Start at lower end of dosing range (e.g., 50-100 mL/hour) due to decreased renal function and increased risk of hyperkalemia and fluid overload; monitor serum potassium, glucose, and renal function frequently; maximum potassium infusion rate: 5 mEq/hour (6.7 mL/hour). |
| 1st trimester | Consult provider |
| 2nd trimester | Consult provider |
| 3rd trimester | Consult provider |
Clinical note
No significant drug interactions Can cause hypernatremia and fluid overload.
| FDA category | Animal |
| Breastfeeding | Potassium chloride and dextrose are endogenous substances; no specific M/P ratio reported. Potassium and sodium concentrations in milk are regulated by active transport; IV administration at standard doses does not significantly alter milk composition. Dextrose infusion is compatible with breastfeeding. Overall considered safe; use with caution in renal impairment. |
| Teratogenic Risk |
■ FDA Black Box Warning
Concentrated potassium chloride solutions must be diluted before use to avoid fatal hyperkalemia. Rapid infusion may cause cardiac arrest.
| Common Effects | fluid replacement |
| Serious Effects |
Hyperkalemia, severe renal impairment with oliguria or anuria, untreated Addison's disease, anuria, hypernatremia, edema with sodium retention, and patients with known hypersensitivity to any component.
| Precautions | Monitor serum potassium and glucose levels. Use with caution in patients with renal impairment, cardiac disease, or hyperkalemia. May cause volume overload, hypernatremia, or hyperglycemia. Do not administer unless solution is clear and container is intact. |
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| Pregnancy category C. Potassium chloride is an essential electrolyte; potassium depletion in pregnancy is associated with fetal growth restriction and preterm labor. No specific teratogenicity from potassium chloride itself. Dextrose may cause maternal hyperglycemia with fetal hyperinsulinemia and macrosomia if uncontrolled. Sodium chloride in typical IV fluids is safe at standard doses; excessive sodium may contribute to maternal edema or hypertension. |
| Fetal Monitoring | Monitor maternal serum potassium, sodium, glucose, and renal function. Assess fluid balance (input/output, edema, blood pressure). Fetal monitoring indicated if maternal hyperglycemia or electrolyte abnormalities occur. Continuous fetal heart rate monitoring in cases of preterm labor or preeclampsia. |
| Fertility Effects | No known adverse effects on fertility at therapeutic doses. Electrolyte disturbances (hypokalemia) may impair ovulation; correction of deficiencies may restore fertility. |