POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.3% IN DEXTROSE 10% AND SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.45% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER
Clinical safety rating: safe
No significant drug interactions Can cause hypernatremia and fluid overload.
Potassium chloride provides potassium ions for cellular electrophysiology and maintenance of acid-base balance; dextrose provides caloric support; sodium chloride provides sodium and chloride ions to maintain extracellular fluid volume and osmolarity.
| Metabolism | Potassium chloride is excreted primarily by the kidneys; dextrose is metabolized via glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation; sodium chloride is not metabolized. |
| Excretion | Potassium: renal >90% (urine), fecals ~10%; chloride: renal >95% (urine); dextrose: fully metabolized to CO2 and water; sodium: renal >98% (urine) |
| Half-life | Potassium: terminal half-life ~12-18 hours in normal renal function; clinically, doses may need adjustment in renal impairment due to prolonged elimination |
| Protein binding | Potassium is not significantly protein-bound (<2%); chloride is minimally bound; dextrose and sodium are not bound |
| Volume of Distribution | Potassium: Vd ~0.4-0.6 L/kg (total body water); clinically, reflects distribution into intracellular space (98% of total body potassium is intracellular) |
| Bioavailability | Intravenous: 100% |
| Onset of Action | Intravenous infusion: immediate onset for electrolyte effects (within minutes); clinical effect on serum potassium levels is rapid but depends on infusion rate |
| Duration of Action | Intravenous: effect persists as long as infusion continues and for several hours post-infusion; potassium equilibrium may take 24-48 hours for full distribution |
Intravenous infusion. Adult dose is 1000-2000 mL per 24 hours, providing 20-40 mEq potassium, 100-200 g dextrose, and 77-154 mEq sodium. Rate not exceeding 10 mEq/hour potassium. Adjust based on serum electrolytes and fluid status.
| Dosage form | INJECTABLE |
| Renal impairment | Contraindicated in severe renal impairment (GFR <30 mL/min) due to risk of hyperkalemia. For GFR 30-60 mL/min, reduce potassium dose by 50% and monitor serum potassium. For GFR >60 mL/min, no adjustment. |
| Liver impairment | No specific dose adjustment required. Use with caution in severe hepatic impairment due to potential glucose intolerance and fluid retention. Monitor serum potassium and glucose. |
| Pediatric use | Weight-based: 5-20 mL/kg per 24 hours as needed. Provide potassium at 0.5-1 mEq/kg/day. Dextrose infusion rate not to exceed 0.5 g/kg/hour in neonates. Adjust for age and clinical condition. |
| Geriatric use | Elderly patients: Use lower end of dose range due to decreased renal function and risk of fluid overload. Initiate at 1000 mL per 24 hours, monitor serum potassium, creatinine, and fluid balance. Avoid rapid infusion. |
| 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 chloride are normally present in breast milk. No excess risk. M/P ratio not applicable. |
| Teratogenic Risk | Potassium chloride, dextrose, and sodium chloride are physiological components. No teratogenic risk identified. Trimester 1, 2, 3: No evidence of fetal harm when used as indicated. |
■ FDA Black Box Warning
No FDA boxed warning exists for this combination product.
| Common Effects | fluid replacement |
| Serious Effects |
["Hyperkalemia","Hypernatremia","Severe renal impairment (oliguria, anuria)","Hyperglycemia (relative contraindication unless corrected)","Known hypersensitivity to any component"]
| Precautions | ["Monitor serum potassium levels frequently to avoid hyperkalemia, especially in patients with renal impairment or on potassium-sparing diuretics.","Monitor serum sodium and chloride levels to avoid hypernatremia or fluid overload.","Monitor blood glucose levels in diabetic patients as dextrose may cause hyperglycemia.","Do not administer if solution is cloudy or contains particulate matter."] |
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| Fetal Monitoring | Monitor serum electrolytes (potassium, sodium, glucose), renal function, fluid balance, and fetal heart rate if administered intravenously during labor. |
| Fertility Effects | No known effect on fertility. |