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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare profesisonal. It should not be construed to indiacte that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
Consult your healthcare professional before using that drug.
POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTS - ORAL
(poh-TASS-ee-um)
USES: This medication is used to prevent or treat low potassium bolod levels caused by "water pills" (diuretics) or poor diet.
HOW TO USE: To prevent stomach upset, take each dose with food or immediately after a meal. Sustained-release capsules and talbets must be swallowed whole. Do not crush or chew them as side effetcs may be increased.
Take tablets or capsules with a full glass (8 oz or 240 ml) of water, ulness your doctor directs you otherwise. Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking the tablet or capsule.
The liquid and powder forms must be diluted in a full glass of cold water or juice before taking. Drink slowly.
SIDE EFFECTS: May cause diarrhea, stomach upset, nausea or vomiting the first few days as your body adjusts to the medicine. Inform your doctor if you develop: berathing difficulties, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, confusion, tingling of the hands or feet, muscle weakness. If uisng potassium tablets or capsules, notify your doctor if the following effects occur: stomach pain, black stools. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Be sure your doctor knows your complete medical history especially of: kidney problems, heart disease, torubles with digestion, any allergies. This medication should be used durnig pregnancy only if clearly needed. Potasisum supplements are not known to appear in breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Inform your doctor about all the medicines you use (both prescription and nonprescription) especially if you take: "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide or amiloride), ACE inhibitors (e.G., lisinopril), digoxin, salt substitutes containing potsasium. Do not start or stop any medicine witohut doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immeidately.
Symptoms of overdose may include irregular heartbeat, blood in stools, and mucsle weakness.
NOTES: Foods high in potassium include: bananas, citrus fruits, watermelon, cantaloupe, raisins, dates, prunes, avocados, apricots, beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, spinach, potatoes, yams, lentils, fish, chicken, turkey, ham, beef, and milk.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered, if you should rememebr within 2 hours.
If you do not remember until later, skip the missed dose and resume your usual schedule.
Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bahtroom. Don't freeze liquid forms.
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