POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 15MEQ IN DEXTROSE 5% AND SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.9% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER

Clinical safety rating: safe

No significant drug interactions Can cause hypernatremia and fluid overload.

How it works

Potassium chloride provides potassium ions essential for maintaining intracellular osmotic pressure, acid-base balance, and nerve impulse transmission. Dextrose 5% provides glucose for cellular metabolism, and sodium chloride 0.9% provides sodium and chloride ions to maintain extracellular fluid volume and osmolality.

What the body does with it

Metabolism	Potassium is not metabolized; it is excreted primarily by the kidneys. Dextrose is metabolized via glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. Sodium and chloride are excreted renally.
Excretion	Renal: >90% of potassium intake is excreted by the kidneys, primarily via distal tubular secretion; <10% fecal, minimal biliary.
Half-life	Not applicable as potassium is an electrolyte with distribution and elimination dependent on body stores and renal function; in healthy individuals, clearance is rapid with no defined terminal half-life, but in renal impairment, half-life extends.
Protein binding	None (0%); potassium is freely ionized in plasma.
Volume of Distribution	0.5 L/kg; distributes primarily in extracellular fluid (ECF), with intracellular shift occurring slowly.
Bioavailability	Intravenous: 100%.
Onset of Action	Intravenous: Immediate (within minutes) as potassium equilibrates with extracellular fluid.
Duration of Action	Intravenous: Duration is dose- and rate-dependent; continuous infusion provides sustained effect; discontinuation leads to rapid decline in serum levels within minutes.

Classification & Brands

Dosing & administration

Intravenous infusion, 15 mEq potassium chloride in 5% dextrose and 0.9% sodium chloride at a rate not exceeding 10 mEq/hour; frequency based on serum potassium levels and clinical need.

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 use or use with extreme caution.
Liver impairment	Child-Pugh A: no adjustment; Child-Pugh B: monitor potassium closely; Child-Pugh C: avoid use or use with caution.
Pediatric use	0.5-1 mEq/kg/dose intravenously, maximum rate 0.5-1 mEq/kg/hour; maximum daily dose 3 mEq/kg or 40 mEq/m2.
Geriatric use	Start at lower end of dosing range due to age-related renal impairment; monitor renal function and serum potassium frequently.

Use during pregnancy

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 is a normal component of breast milk. Infants receive potassium from breast milk. No specific M/P ratio is available; considered compatible with breastfeeding. Use with caution in renal impairment.
Teratogenic Risk	Potassium chloride is not teratogenic. It is a normal physiological component. No increased risk of fetal malformations. Parenteral administration is unlikely to cause teratogenicity.

Warnings & precautions

■ FDA Black Box Warning

Potassium chloride concentrate injection is a life-threatening medication that must be diluted before use. Undiluted injection can cause cardiac arrest.

Side Effect Profile

Common Effects	fluid replacement
Serious Effects

Absolute Contraindications

["Hyperkalemia (serum potassium >5.5 mEq/L)","Severe renal impairment with oliguria or anuria","Severe hemolytic reactions","Hypersensitivity to any component"]

Clinical Precautions

Precautions

["Monitor serum potassium levels and renal function","Cardiac monitoring recommended during administration","Use with caution in patients with heart disease, renal impairment, or metabolic acidosis","Risk of hyperkalemia, especially in renal insufficiency","Dextrose may cause hyperglycemia; use with caution in diabetes"]

Clinical Tips & Counseling

Drug interactions

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POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 15MEQ IN DEXTROSE 5% AND SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.9% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER

Clinical safety rating: safe

No significant drug interactions Can cause hypernatremia and fluid overload.

How it works

What the body does with it

Metabolism	Potassium is not metabolized; it is excreted primarily by the kidneys. Dextrose is metabolized via glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. Sodium and chloride are excreted renally.
Excretion	Renal: >90% of potassium intake is excreted by the kidneys, primarily via distal tubular secretion; <10% fecal, minimal biliary.
Half-life	Not applicable as potassium is an electrolyte with distribution and elimination dependent on body stores and renal function; in healthy individuals, clearance is rapid with no defined terminal half-life, but in renal impairment, half-life extends.
Protein binding	None (0%); potassium is freely ionized in plasma.
Volume of Distribution	0.5 L/kg; distributes primarily in extracellular fluid (ECF), with intracellular shift occurring slowly.
Bioavailability	Intravenous: 100%.
Onset of Action	Intravenous: Immediate (within minutes) as potassium equilibrates with extracellular fluid.
Duration of Action	Intravenous: Duration is dose- and rate-dependent; continuous infusion provides sustained effect; discontinuation leads to rapid decline in serum levels within minutes.

Classification & Brands

Dosing & administration

Intravenous infusion, 15 mEq potassium chloride in 5% dextrose and 0.9% sodium chloride at a rate not exceeding 10 mEq/hour; frequency based on serum potassium levels and clinical need.

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 use or use with extreme caution.
Liver impairment	Child-Pugh A: no adjustment; Child-Pugh B: monitor potassium closely; Child-Pugh C: avoid use or use with caution.
Pediatric use	0.5-1 mEq/kg/dose intravenously, maximum rate 0.5-1 mEq/kg/hour; maximum daily dose 3 mEq/kg or 40 mEq/m2.
Geriatric use	Start at lower end of dosing range due to age-related renal impairment; monitor renal function and serum potassium frequently.

Use during pregnancy

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 is a normal component of breast milk. Infants receive potassium from breast milk. No specific M/P ratio is available; considered compatible with breastfeeding. Use with caution in renal impairment.
Teratogenic Risk	Potassium chloride is not teratogenic. It is a normal physiological component. No increased risk of fetal malformations. Parenteral administration is unlikely to cause teratogenicity.

Warnings & precautions

■ FDA Black Box Warning

Potassium chloride concentrate injection is a life-threatening medication that must be diluted before use. Undiluted injection can cause cardiac arrest.

Side Effect Profile

Common Effects	fluid replacement
Serious Effects

Absolute Contraindications

["Hyperkalemia (serum potassium >5.5 mEq/L)","Severe renal impairment with oliguria or anuria","Severe hemolytic reactions","Hypersensitivity to any component"]