POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 5MEQ IN DEXTROSE 5% AND SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.3% 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, which are essential for maintaining intracellular osmolarity, acid-base balance, and nerve impulse transmission. Dextrose 5% provides caloric support and may help prevent ketosis. Sodium chloride 0.3% provides sodium and chloride ions to maintain extracellular fluid volume and electrolyte balance.

What the body does with it

Metabolism	Potassium chloride is not metabolized; potassium is excreted primarily by the kidneys. Dextrose is metabolized via glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. Sodium and chloride are excreted renally.
Excretion	Renal excretion: >90% of potassium load excreted by kidneys; remainder via feces (~10%) and sweat (<5%).
Half-life	Not applicable for potassium itself; potassium is an electrolyte with no true elimination half-life. Distribution half-life of administered potassium is approximately 1-1.5 hours due to cellular uptake.
Protein binding	Potassium is not significantly protein-bound; <5% bound.
Volume of Distribution	Approximately 0.5 L/kg (total body water); potassium distributes throughout total body water.
Bioavailability	IV: 100%. Oral: Approximately 80-90% (extensive absorption); given as a solution, bioavailability is near complete.
Onset of Action	IV infusion: Onset within minutes as potassium distributes and corrects hypokalemia. Oral: Onset of action 1-2 hours after oral administration.
Duration of Action	IV infusion: Duration depends on infusion rate and ongoing losses; typically 2-4 hours after cessation of infusion. Oral: Duration of effect 4-6 hours after a single dose.

Classification & Brands

Dosing & administration

1 to 2 mEq/kg per day IV, infused at a rate not exceeding 10 mEq/hour; typical adult dose 20-40 mEq per dose.

Dosage form	INJECTABLE
Renal impairment	GFR 10-50 mL/min: reduce dose by 25-50%; GFR <10 mL/min: avoid or use with extreme caution, reduce dose by 50% or more.
Liver impairment	Child-Pugh A: no adjustment; Child-Pugh B: reduce dose by 25-50%; Child-Pugh C: avoid or use with extreme caution, reduce dose by 50% or more.
Pediatric use	0.5-1 mEq/kg per dose IV, maximum 1 mEq/kg per hour; maximum daily dose 3 mEq/kg or 40 mEq/m².
Geriatric use	Initiate at low end of dosing range (e.g., 10-20 mEq per dose); monitor renal function and serum potassium closely; infusion rate not exceeding 5-10 mEq/hour.

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, dextrose, and sodium chloride are normal milk components; no adverse effects on infant expected. M/P ratio not applicable as KCl is ionic; use compatible with breastfeeding.
Teratogenic Risk	Potassium chloride is a normal body constituent; no teratogenic risk at therapeutic doses. Dextrose and sodium chloride are also physiologic. No fetal harm reported in any trimester.

Warnings & precautions

■ FDA Black Box Warning

Concentrated potassium chloride solutions (e.g., >10 mEq per 100 mL) must be diluted before administration due to risk of fatal cardiac arrhythmias from rapid infusion. This specific product is a premixed solution and does not require further dilution, but caution is advised.

Side Effect Profile

Common Effects	fluid replacement
Serious Effects

Absolute Contraindications

["Hyperkalemia (serum potassium >5.0 mEq/L)","Severe renal impairment with oliguria or anuria","Addison's disease","Acute dehydration","Heat cramps","Concurrent use of potassium-sparing diuretics"]

Clinical Precautions

Precautions

["Monitor serum potassium levels frequently during therapy","Use with extreme caution in patients with renal impairment, cardiac disease, or conditions predisposing to hyperkalemia","Do not administer to patients with severe metabolic acidosis or hyperkalemia","Rapid infusion may cause hyperkalemia and cardiac arrest","Contains dextrose; use with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus"]

Clinical Tips & Counseling

Drug interactions

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POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 5MEQ IN DEXTROSE 5% AND SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.3% 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 chloride is not metabolized; potassium is excreted primarily by the kidneys. Dextrose is metabolized via glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. Sodium and chloride are excreted renally.
Excretion	Renal excretion: >90% of potassium load excreted by kidneys; remainder via feces (~10%) and sweat (<5%).
Half-life	Not applicable for potassium itself; potassium is an electrolyte with no true elimination half-life. Distribution half-life of administered potassium is approximately 1-1.5 hours due to cellular uptake.
Protein binding	Potassium is not significantly protein-bound; <5% bound.
Volume of Distribution	Approximately 0.5 L/kg (total body water); potassium distributes throughout total body water.
Bioavailability	IV: 100%. Oral: Approximately 80-90% (extensive absorption); given as a solution, bioavailability is near complete.
Onset of Action	IV infusion: Onset within minutes as potassium distributes and corrects hypokalemia. Oral: Onset of action 1-2 hours after oral administration.
Duration of Action	IV infusion: Duration depends on infusion rate and ongoing losses; typically 2-4 hours after cessation of infusion. Oral: Duration of effect 4-6 hours after a single dose.

Classification & Brands

Dosing & administration

1 to 2 mEq/kg per day IV, infused at a rate not exceeding 10 mEq/hour; typical adult dose 20-40 mEq per dose.

Dosage form	INJECTABLE
Renal impairment	GFR 10-50 mL/min: reduce dose by 25-50%; GFR <10 mL/min: avoid or use with extreme caution, reduce dose by 50% or more.
Liver impairment	Child-Pugh A: no adjustment; Child-Pugh B: reduce dose by 25-50%; Child-Pugh C: avoid or use with extreme caution, reduce dose by 50% or more.
Pediatric use	0.5-1 mEq/kg per dose IV, maximum 1 mEq/kg per hour; maximum daily dose 3 mEq/kg or 40 mEq/m².
Geriatric use	Initiate at low end of dosing range (e.g., 10-20 mEq per dose); monitor renal function and serum potassium closely; infusion rate not exceeding 5-10 mEq/hour.

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, dextrose, and sodium chloride are normal milk components; no adverse effects on infant expected. M/P ratio not applicable as KCl is ionic; use compatible with breastfeeding.
Teratogenic Risk	Potassium chloride is a normal body constituent; no teratogenic risk at therapeutic doses. Dextrose and sodium chloride are also physiologic. No fetal harm reported in any trimester.

Warnings & precautions

■ FDA Black Box Warning

Side Effect Profile

Common Effects	fluid replacement
Serious Effects

Absolute Contraindications

["Hyperkalemia (serum potassium >5.0 mEq/L)","Severe renal impairment with oliguria or anuria","Addison's disease","Acute dehydration","Heat cramps","Concurrent use of potassium-sparing diuretics"]