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Comments Potassium Chloride as Medicine
Potassium Chloride is a mineral that is found in many foods and is needed for several functions of the body, especially the beating of the heart. It is used to prevent or to treat low blood levels of potassium (hypokalemia). The potassium levels can be low as a result of a disease or from taking certain medicines, or after a prolonged illness with diarrhoea or vomiting.
Potassium chloride should not be taken as a medication, if suffering from kidney failure, Addison’s disease,
Severe burns or other tissue injury. If you are suffering from dehydration, intake of certain diuretics will result in the high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia). While taking potassium chloride, it should be taken care not to crush, chew, break, or suck on an extended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill whole. If broken or crushed, the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time, which must be avoided. Sucking on a potassium tablet can cause irritation in the mouth or throat. Have this medication with food or just after a meal.
To make it sure that the medication is effective, the blood test should be done often. Also check up the heart rate quite often using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG) to measure electrical activity of the heart. This test will help the doctor in determining the duration of the treatment with potassium. Do not miss any scheduled appointments. Serious side effects of potassium include uneven heartbeat, muscle weakness or limp feeling, severe stomach pain, and numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or mouth. Do not stop taking the medication without consulting the doctor as sudden stopping may worsen the situation. Also stay away from this medication, if you are allergic to it, or if you have certain conditions.
Tags: Heart, food, allergy, doctor, medication, meals, kidney, check-up, Potassium Chloride, mineral, tablet

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