Potassium

Potassium or potassium is a mineral supplement to treat hypokalemia or potassium deficiency. Potassium plays an important role in maintaining a healthy heart, kidneys, nerves, regulates the balance of body fluids , and muscle contractions.

Naturally, the need for potassium can be fulfilled by regularly consuming bananas , broccoli, beans, potatoes, chicken or beef, fish, milk and cereals.

In addition, potassium can also be obtained in the form of tablet supplements and injectable fluids. Potassium supplements are given to hypokalemia sufferers who cannot meet adequate nutritional intake from food.

Hypokalemia is a condition of low potassium levels in the body. This condition is at risk for someone who is taking diuretic drugs or is experiencing diarrhea , vomiting, alcohol addiction, Crohn's disease , or eating disorders .

Trademarks of Potassium: Aspar-K, GNC Potassium Gluconate, Kalipar, Ksr-600, Otsu KCL 7,46, Potassium Chloride, Potassium L-Aspartate

What is Potassium

class	Over-the-counter and prescription drugs
Category	Mineral supplements
Benefit	Treat and prevent potassium deficiency
Used by	Adults and children
Potassium supplements for pregnant and lactating women	Category C: Animal studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus, but there have been no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. It is not yet known whether potassium supplements can be absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this supplement without consulting your doctor first.
Drug form	Tablets, injectable liquid

Warning Before Using Potassium Supplements

The following are things you need to pay attention to before using potassium supplements:

Do not use potassium supplements if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in these supplements. Tell your doctor about any history of allergies you have.
Do not use potassium supplements if you have hyperkalemia or are taking potassium-sparing diuretics .
Consult your doctor first about using potassium supplements if you have diarrhea, dehydration , stomach ulcers , intestinal obstruction, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes , or Addison's disease .
Discuss with your doctor first if you plan to use potassium supplements with certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
Immediately consult a doctor if you experience a drug allergic reaction, serious side effects, or overdose after using potassium supplements.

Dosage and Rules for Use of Potassium

The following are the dosages of potassium supplements to prevent and treat hypokalemia:

Potassium supplement tablets

Adult: 20 mEq per day for prevention, while for treatment 40–100 mEq per day in divided doses. The maximum dose is 40 mEq per drink and 200 mEq per day, adjusted for potassium levels in the blood.
Children: The preventive dose is 1 mEq/kgBW to 3 mEq/kgBW per day, while for treatment 2–4 mEq/kgBW per day divided into several doses. Maximum dose is up to 100 mEq per day and 40 mEq per administration.

Injectable potassium supplement

Adults: The dose is adjusted according to the level of potassium in the blood and the results of the EKG ( electrocardiography ) examination. The recommended dose is ≤10 mEq per hour if given by central or peripheral intravenous infusion by slow drip.

Potassium Nutritional Adequacy Rate (RDA).

Daily potassium needs can be met from food, supplements, or a combination of the two. The following is the nutritional adequacy rate (RDA) of potassium per day based on age and gender:

Age 0–6 months: 400 mg
Ages 7–12 months: 860 mg
Ages 1–3 years: 2,000 mg
Ages 4–8 years: 2,300 mg
Men ages 9–13 years: 2,500 mg
Men ages 14–18: 3,000 mg
Men ages 19–50: 3,400 mg
Men aged ≥50 years: 3,400 mg
Women ages 9–18 years: 2,300 mg
Women ages 19–50: 2,600 mg
Women age ≥50 years: 2,600 mg

Pregnant women and nursing mothers need more potassium intake, which is 2,600-2,900 mg per day for pregnant women and 2,600-2,800 mg per day for nursing mothers.

How to Use Potassium Supplements Properly

Vitamin and mineral supplements are consumed to supplement the body's need for vitamins and minerals, especially when intake of vitamins and minerals from food cannot meet the body's needs.

Use tablet potassium supplements according to the information listed on the package. If in doubt, discuss it with your doctor to find out the right dosage according to your condition. Keep in mind, the administration of injectable potassium supplements will be carried out by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor.

Potassium supplement tablets can be taken before or after meals. Consume this supplement in its entirety. Do not split, chew or grind the supplement as this can affect its effectiveness.

Do not take potassium tablets by suction because they can cause irritation to the mouth and throat.

If you forget to take a potassium tablet supplement, drink it immediately if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it's close, ignore it and don't double the dose.

If you are prescribed potassium supplements by your doctor, do not stop taking these supplements without your doctor's approval as they may worsen your condition. The doctor will monitor the effectiveness of the treatment by routinely carrying out blood tests and EKGs .

Store potassium tablet supplements in a closed container at room temperature, in a dry place, and avoid heat and direct sunlight. Keep this supplement out of reach of children.

Interactions of Potassium with Other Drugs

The use of potassium together with other drugs can cause interactions between drugs. Some of the effects of drug interactions that can arise are:

Increased risk of developing hyperkalemia which can be fatal when used with ACE inhibitors , ARBs, ciclosporin , alisikren, or potassium-sparing diuretics, such as amiloride or spironolactone
Increased risk of irritation of the gastrointestinal tract when used with atropine
Enhanced antiarrhythmic effect of quinidine
Decreased blood potassium levels when used with glucose infusion

In addition, be careful using potassium supplements with foods that are also rich in potassium , because it can increase the risk of developing hyperkalemia.

Side Effects and Dangers of Potassium

Some mild side effects that may appear after using potassium supplements are flatulence, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea. Stop using potassium supplements and see a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic drug reaction or serious side effects occur, such as: