POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 10MEQ IN DEXTROSE 5% 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 essential potassium ion for maintaining intracellular osmotic pressure, acid-base balance, and nerve conduction. Dextrose provides calories and increases serum glucose. Sodium chloride supplies sodium and chloride ions to maintain extracellular fluid volume and electrolyte balance.
| Metabolism | Dextrose is metabolized via glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Potassium and sodium are renally excreted; potassium is actively reabsorbed and secreted in distal tubules. |
| Excretion | Renal: >90% as potassium ions, with minor fecal loss (<5%). Biliary excretion is negligible. |
| Half-life | Not applicable as potassium is an endogenous ion; serum half-life reflects redistribution and renal clearance, approximately 6-8 hours in normal renal function. |
| Protein binding | Not significantly protein-bound (<5%); binding to albumin is minimal and clinically irrelevant. |
| Volume of Distribution | Approximately 0.5 L/kg (range 0.4-0.6 L/kg), reflecting distribution primarily in extracellular fluid. |
| Bioavailability | Oral: >90% (well absorbed); intravenous: 100%. |
| Onset of Action | Intravenous: Immediate (within seconds to minutes) for cardiac membrane stabilization; oral: 30-60 minutes for gastrointestinal absorption. |
| Duration of Action | Intravenous: 2-4 hours after infusion cessation; oral: several hours depending on dose and renal function. Continuous replacement may be needed in deficiency states. |
IV infusion: 10 mEq potassium chloride in 1000 mL D5 0.45% NaCl at a rate not exceeding 10 mEq/hour; maximum 40 mEq/hour with cardiac monitoring. Adult dose typically 20-40 mEq per day, adjusted based on serum potassium.
| Dosage form | INJECTABLE |
| Renal impairment | GFR 30-50 mL/min: reduce dose by 25%; GFR 10-29 mL/min: reduce dose by 50%; GFR <10 mL/min: avoid or use with extreme caution, maximum 10 mEq/day with frequent monitoring. |
| Liver impairment | Child-Pugh A: no adjustment; Child-Pugh B: reduce dose by 25%; Child-Pugh C: reduce dose by 50% and monitor electrolytes closely. |
| Pediatric use | IV infusion: 0.5-1 mEq/kg/dose, maximum 2 mEq/kg/day; rate not exceeding 0.5 mEq/kg/hour; use with cardiac monitoring. Dilute in appropriate IV fluid. |
| Geriatric use | Initiate at lower end of dosing range (e.g., 10-20 mEq/day), increase slowly; monitor renal function and serum potassium frequently due to age-related decline in renal function. |
| 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, sodium, glucose are normal milk constituents. M/P ratio not applicable. No known risk at recommended doses. Monitor maternal electrolytes and glucose to avoid excess. |
| Teratogenic Risk | Potassium chloride, dextrose, and sodium chloride are essential nutrients and electrolytes; no teratogenic effects at physiologic doses. Excess potassium or glucose may cause fetal harm: hyperkalemia can induce fetal bradycardia or arrhythmia; hyperglycemia increases risk of macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycemia. First trimester: no known malformation risk. Second/third trimesters: risk of adverse effects from maternal electrolyte or glucose imbalance. |
■ FDA Black Box Warning
Potassium chloride injection concentrate must be diluted and used only in patients with severe hypokalemia; undiluted administration can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
| Common Effects | fluid replacement |
| Serious Effects |
["Hyperkalemia","hypernatremia","hyperglycemia","severe renal impairment with oliguria","Addison's disease","severe dehydration","concurrent use of potassium-sparing diuretics"]
| Precautions | ["Renal impairment","cardiac disease","hyperkalemia","hypernatremia","fluid overload","administration via central line may cause cardiac arrhythmias","monitor serum electrolytes and ECG"] |
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| Fetal Monitoring | Monitor maternal serum potassium, sodium, glucose, renal function, ECG for arrhythmias. Fetal heart rate monitoring during labor if maternal hyperkalemia or hyperglycemia. Assess for signs of fluid overload. |
| Fertility Effects | No known direct effects on fertility at physiologic doses. Electrolyte or glucose disturbances may affect reproductive function; correct underlying causes. |