POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.11% IN DEXTROSE 3.3% AND SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.3% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER
Clinical safety rating: safe
No significant drug interactions Can cause hypernatremia and fluid overload.
Potassium chloride provides potassium ions for maintaining intracellular osmolality, acid-base balance, nerve conduction, and muscle contraction. Dextrose is a monosaccharide that provides calories and may reduce protein and nitrogen loss. Sodium chloride provides sodium and chloride ions for fluid and electrolyte balance.
| Metabolism | Potassium is primarily excreted renally; dextrose is metabolized to carbon dioxide and water via glycolysis; sodium and chloride are excreted renally. |
| Excretion | Primarily renal (90-95% as potassium ion); minimal biliary/fecal elimination; excretion of dextrose and sodium chloride components is also renal. |
| Half-life | Not applicable; potassium is an electrolyte with no classic half-life. Dextrose half-life is ~15-20 min; sodium chloride half-life is ~1-2 weeks for total body sodium. Plasma potassium clearance depends on renal function. |
| Protein binding | Potassium: minimal (<5%); dextrose and sodium chloride: not significantly protein bound. |
| Volume of Distribution | Potassium: 0.5-0.6 L/kg (primarily intracellular); dextrose: ~0.2 L/kg; sodium chloride: ~0.65 L/kg (extracellular). |
| Bioavailability | Intravenous: 100%; not administered via oral or other routes as a fixed-dose combination. |
| Onset of Action | Intravenous: Immediate (within seconds to minutes) for serum potassium changes; dextrose effect on blood glucose within minutes. |
| Duration of Action | Intravenous: Duration of potassium effect depends on infusion rate and renal function; dextrose effects last minutes to hours; sodium chloride effect depends on volume status. |
Intravenous infusion at a rate not exceeding 10 mEq/hour of potassium chloride; typical adult dose is 20-40 mEq potassium in 500-1000 mL of solution infused over 4-8 hours, adjusting based on serum potassium and clinical need.
| Dosage form | INJECTABLE |
| Renal impairment | GFR <30 mL/min: use only with extreme caution, reduce potassium content or avoid; monitor serum potassium closely. GFR 30-50 mL/min: reduce dose or prolong infusion interval. No specific dose adjustment for GFR >50 mL/min but monitor potassium levels. |
| Liver impairment | No specific Child-Pugh based adjustments; use standard precautions with frequent monitoring of serum potassium and acid-base status. |
| Pediatric use | Weight-based: 0.5-1 mEq/kg of potassium chloride per dose, infused at a rate not exceeding 0.3-0.5 mEq/kg/hour; maximum single dose 40 mEq. Use smaller volumes of compatible solution. |
| Geriatric use | Use lower doses (e.g., 10-20 mEq per 500-1000 mL) and slower infusion rates (e.g., 5 mEq/hour) due to increased risk of hyperkalemia and renal impairment; monitor serum potassium and renal function frequently. |
| 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, dextrose, and sodium are normal constituents of human milk. Infusion of this solution results in transient increases in maternal serum levels; concentrations in milk are not expected to be clinically significant. M/P ratio for potassium is approximately 0.2-0.4 for potassium; for dextrose and sodium, transfer is low and does not pose risk to the infant. This solution is considered compatible with breastfeeding. |
| Teratogenic Risk |
■ FDA Black Box Warning
Potassium chloride injection concentrate must be diluted before use to avoid fatal hyperkalemia.
| Common Effects | fluid replacement |
| Serious Effects |
["Hyperkalemia","Severe renal impairment with oliguria","Addison's disease","Adynamia episodica hereditaria","Acute dehydration","Concomitant use with potassium-sparing diuretics"]
| Precautions | ["Hyperkalemia risk: monitor serum potassium levels; use with caution in patients with renal impairment, heart disease, or conditions predisposing to hyperkalemia","Volume overload: caution in patients with heart failure or renal impairment","Extravasation risk: irritant, can cause tissue necrosis","Hyperglycemia risk: dextrose content may cause hyperglycemia in diabetics","Allergic reactions possible"] |
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| POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.11% IN DEXTROSE 3.3% AND SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.3% is an electrolyte and fluid replacement solution. Potassium chloride is considered to have low teratogenic potential. Dextrose and sodium chloride are normal physiological components. No specific fetal risks are identified at therapeutic doses. However, maternal hyperkalemia, hyperglycemia, or electrolyte imbalances could adversely affect the fetus. Use in pregnancy requires careful monitoring to avoid maternal electrolyte disturbances that might impact fetal development. |
| Fetal Monitoring | Serial serum electrolytes (potassium, sodium, glucose, chloride) should be monitored. Assess intake/output and adjust infusion rate to avoid fluid overload. Monitor fetal heart rate during labor if administered intravenously. In prolonged use, monitor for signs of hyperkalemia (ECG changes, muscle weakness) or hyperglycemia (maternal glucose levels). In preeclampsia or renal impairment, closer surveillance is warranted. |
| Fertility Effects | No known adverse effects on fertility. Potassium, dextrose, and sodium are essential nutrients and when used as replacement therapy at appropriate doses, do not impair reproductive function. No evidence of ovarian or testicular toxicity. |