POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.15% IN DEXTROSE 5% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER

Clinical safety rating: caution

Comprehensive clinical and safety monograph for POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.15% IN DEXTROSE 5% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER (POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.15% IN DEXTROSE 5% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER).

How it works

Potassium is the major intracellular cation. It is essential for the maintenance of intracellular tonicity, nerve impulse transmission, cardiac muscle contractility, and skeletal muscle contraction. Dextrose provides a source of calories and may help to correct hypoglycemia.

What the body does with it

Metabolism	Potassium is primarily excreted unchanged by the kidneys. Dextrose is metabolized via glycolysis and subsequent pathways to carbon dioxide and water, yielding energy.
Excretion	Renal: >90% of potassium excreted by kidneys, with distal tubular secretion and reabsorption. Fecal: ~10% eliminated via gastrointestinal tract. Biliary: negligible.
Half-life	Potassium has no true elimination half-life as it is an endogenous electrolyte; redistribution half-life is approximately 1–1.5 hours for exogenous loads, reflecting cellular uptake and renal excretion. In anephric patients, half-life extends to 12–24 hours due to reliance on gastrointestinal and dialysis excretion.
Protein binding	~10% bound to plasma proteins (albumin). Unbound fraction is physiologically active.
Volume of Distribution	Total body potassium Vd ~0.5 L/kg (approximates lean body mass). For intravenously administered potassium: initial Vd approximates extracellular fluid (0.2 L/kg) with redistribution into cells over 15–30 minutes. Clinical meaning: Low Vd indicates rapid equilibration; loading doses must account for intracellular shift to avoid hyperkalemia.
Bioavailability	Intravenous: 100%. Oral: ~90% (absorbed in small intestine). No other routes relevant.
Onset of Action	Intravenous infusion: Immediate upon administration due to direct plasma potassium elevation; clinical effect (cardiac repolarization) occurs within minutes. Onset correlates with infusion rate and patient volume status.
Duration of Action	Intravenous infusion: Duration of action continues as long as potassium is infused; after infusion stops, plasma levels decline over 1–2 hours via cellular uptake and renal excretion. Clinical effect (normalization of serum potassium) persists for 4–6 hours post-infusion depending on underlying deficits.

Classification & Brands

Dosing & administration

Intravenous infusion at a rate not exceeding 10 mEq/hour (0.75 mEq/kg/hour). Typical dose: 20-40 mEq potassium chloride in 1 liter D5W administered over 8-12 hours.

Dosage form	INJECTABLE
Renal impairment	GFR >50 mL/min: No adjustment. GFR 30-50 mL/min: Reduce dose by 25-50%. GFR 10-30 mL/min: Reduce dose by 50-75%. GFR <10 mL/min: Avoid use or use with extreme caution; consider alternative.
Liver impairment	Child-Pugh A: No adjustment. Child-Pugh B: Reduce dose by 25-50% due to risk of hyperkalemia. Child-Pugh C: Avoid use; alternative therapy recommended.
Pediatric use	Neonates and infants: 0.5-1 mEq/kg/dose IV, not to exceed 0.5 mEq/kg/hour. Children: 1-3 mEq/kg/day IV, maximum infusion rate 0.5-1 mEq/kg/hour; maximum concentration 40 mEq/L.
Geriatric use	Start at lower end of dosing range (e.g., 10-20 mEq per liter) and titrate slowly. Monitor renal function and serum potassium frequently. Maximum infusion rate: 5-10 mEq/hour.

Use during pregnancy

1st trimester	Consult provider
2nd trimester	Consult provider
3rd trimester	Consult provider

Clinical note

Comprehensive clinical and safety monograph for POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.15% IN DEXTROSE 5% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER (POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.15% IN DEXTROSE 5% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER).

Breastfeeding	Potassium chloride and dextrose are endogenous substances normally present in breast milk. No safety concerns at standard doses. M/P ratio not established; not clinically relevant as both are normal milk constituents.
Teratogenic Risk	Potassium chloride and dextrose are not teratogenic. There is no evidence of fetal harm from potassium chloride or dextrose at standard doses. Trimester-specific risks are not applicable.

Warnings & precautions

■ FDA Black Box Warning

Potassium chloride injections are for intravenous use only. Rapid infusion may cause hyperkalemia and cardiac arrest. Concentrated potassium chloride solutions (>=2 mEq/mL) must be diluted before use. Do not administer undiluted.

Side Effect Profile

Serious Effects

Absolute Contraindications

["Hyperkalemia","Severe renal impairment with oliguria or anuria","Conditions that cause potassium retention (e.g., Addison's disease, systemic acidosis)","Hypersensitivity to potassium chloride or dextrose"]

Clinical Precautions

Precautions

["Monitor serum potassium levels frequently to avoid hyperkalemia","Use with caution in patients with renal impairment, cardiac disease, or conditions predisposing to hyperkalemia","Do not administer if solution is discolored or contains particulate matter","Check for compatibility with other medications in the same line"]

Clinical Tips & Counseling

Drug interactions

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POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.15% IN DEXTROSE 5% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER

Clinical safety rating: caution

Comprehensive clinical and safety monograph for POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.15% IN DEXTROSE 5% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER (POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.15% IN DEXTROSE 5% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER).

How it works

What the body does with it

Metabolism	Potassium is primarily excreted unchanged by the kidneys. Dextrose is metabolized via glycolysis and subsequent pathways to carbon dioxide and water, yielding energy.
Excretion	Renal: >90% of potassium excreted by kidneys, with distal tubular secretion and reabsorption. Fecal: ~10% eliminated via gastrointestinal tract. Biliary: negligible.
Half-life	Potassium has no true elimination half-life as it is an endogenous electrolyte; redistribution half-life is approximately 1–1.5 hours for exogenous loads, reflecting cellular uptake and renal excretion. In anephric patients, half-life extends to 12–24 hours due to reliance on gastrointestinal and dialysis excretion.
Protein binding	~10% bound to plasma proteins (albumin). Unbound fraction is physiologically active.
Volume of Distribution	Total body potassium Vd ~0.5 L/kg (approximates lean body mass). For intravenously administered potassium: initial Vd approximates extracellular fluid (0.2 L/kg) with redistribution into cells over 15–30 minutes. Clinical meaning: Low Vd indicates rapid equilibration; loading doses must account for intracellular shift to avoid hyperkalemia.
Bioavailability	Intravenous: 100%. Oral: ~90% (absorbed in small intestine). No other routes relevant.
Onset of Action	Intravenous infusion: Immediate upon administration due to direct plasma potassium elevation; clinical effect (cardiac repolarization) occurs within minutes. Onset correlates with infusion rate and patient volume status.
Duration of Action	Intravenous infusion: Duration of action continues as long as potassium is infused; after infusion stops, plasma levels decline over 1–2 hours via cellular uptake and renal excretion. Clinical effect (normalization of serum potassium) persists for 4–6 hours post-infusion depending on underlying deficits.

Classification & Brands

Dosing & administration

Intravenous infusion at a rate not exceeding 10 mEq/hour (0.75 mEq/kg/hour). Typical dose: 20-40 mEq potassium chloride in 1 liter D5W administered over 8-12 hours.

Dosage form	INJECTABLE
Renal impairment	GFR >50 mL/min: No adjustment. GFR 30-50 mL/min: Reduce dose by 25-50%. GFR 10-30 mL/min: Reduce dose by 50-75%. GFR <10 mL/min: Avoid use or use with extreme caution; consider alternative.
Liver impairment	Child-Pugh A: No adjustment. Child-Pugh B: Reduce dose by 25-50% due to risk of hyperkalemia. Child-Pugh C: Avoid use; alternative therapy recommended.
Pediatric use	Neonates and infants: 0.5-1 mEq/kg/dose IV, not to exceed 0.5 mEq/kg/hour. Children: 1-3 mEq/kg/day IV, maximum infusion rate 0.5-1 mEq/kg/hour; maximum concentration 40 mEq/L.
Geriatric use	Start at lower end of dosing range (e.g., 10-20 mEq per liter) and titrate slowly. Monitor renal function and serum potassium frequently. Maximum infusion rate: 5-10 mEq/hour.

Use during pregnancy

1st trimester	Consult provider
2nd trimester	Consult provider
3rd trimester	Consult provider

Clinical note

Comprehensive clinical and safety monograph for POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.15% IN DEXTROSE 5% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER (POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.15% IN DEXTROSE 5% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER).

Breastfeeding	Potassium chloride and dextrose are endogenous substances normally present in breast milk. No safety concerns at standard doses. M/P ratio not established; not clinically relevant as both are normal milk constituents.
Teratogenic Risk	Potassium chloride and dextrose are not teratogenic. There is no evidence of fetal harm from potassium chloride or dextrose at standard doses. Trimester-specific risks are not applicable.