pharmacopeia
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Mechanism of action

Sourced from openFDA

Mechanism-of-action classes: Acid-Base Activity; Electrolyte Activity.

Indications

Sourced from openFDA
  • For therapeutic use in patients with hypokalemia with or without metabolic alkalosis; in chronic digitalis intoxication; and in patients with hypokalemic familial periodic paralysis. For prevention of potassium depletion when the dietary intake of potassium ion is inadequate in the following conditions; patients receiving digitalis and diuretics for congestive heart failure; hepatic cirrhosis with ascites; states of aldosterone excess with normal renal function; potassium-losing nephropathy, and certain diarrheal states; long-term corticosteroid therapy.ICD-10: E87.6, I50.9

Contraindications

Sourced from openFDA
  • Potassium supplements are contraindicated in patients with hyperkalemia since a further increase in serum potassium concentration in such patients can produce cardiac arrest. Conditions predisposing to hyperkalemia include: chronic renal failure, acute metabolic acidosis, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, esophageal compression or delayed gastric emptying or intestinal obstruction/stricture or peptic ulcer.contraindicated

Dosage & administration

Sourced from openFDA

Effer-K ® 10 mEq. Adults - one tablet (Cherry Vanilla or Unflavored) each containing 10 mEq. (391 mg) of elemental potassium, 1 to 4 times daily, depending on the requirement of the patient. Completely dissolve the Cherry Vanilla flavored tablet in 2 to 3 ounces (58 to 85 mL) of cold or ice water before drinking. Completely dissolve the Unflavored tablet in 2 to 3 ounces (58 to 85 mL) of cold juice of choice before drinking. Effer-K ® 20 mEq. Adults - one tablet (Orange Cream or Unflavored) each containing 20 mEq. (782 mg) of elemental potassium, 1 to 4 times daily, depending on the requirement of the patient. Completely dissolve the Orange Cream flavored tablet in 3 to 4 ounces (85 to 115 mL) of cold or ice water before drinking. Completely dissolved the Unflavored tablet in 3 to 4 ounces (85 to 115 mL) of cold juice of choice before drinking. NOTE: It is suggested that any effervescent potassium tablet be taken with meals and sipped slowly over a 5 to 10 minute period.

Warnings & precautions

Sourced from openFDA

In patients with hyperkalemia and impaired mechanisms for excreting potassium the administration of potassium salts can produce hyperkalemia and cardiac arrest. This occurs most commonly in patients given potassium by the intravenous route but may also occur in patients given potassium orally. Potentially fatal hyperkalemia can develop rapidly and be asymptomatic. The use of potassium salts in patients with chronic renal disease, or any other condition which impairs potassium excretion, requires particularly careful monitoring of the serum potassium concentration and appropriate dosage adjustment. Note: There is no conclusive evidence that potassium supplements lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

Adverse reactions

Sourced from openFDA

One of the most severe adverse effects is hyperkalemia (see Contraindications , Warnings and Overdosage ). The most common adverse reactions to oral potassium salts are nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea. These symptoms are due to irritation of the gastrointestinal tract and are best managed by diluting the preparation further, taking the dose with meals, or reducing the dose. Skin rash has been reported rarely.

Use in specific populations

Sourced from openFDA

Usage in Pregnancy Pregnancy Category C Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Effer-K ® 10mEq or 20 mEq Tablets (Effervescent Potassium Bicarbonate/ Citric Acid Tablets for Oral Solution, USP). It is also not known whether these products can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women or can affect reproduction capacity. Effer-K ® 10mEq or 20mEq Tablets (Effervescent Potassium Bicarbonate/ Citric Acid Tablets for Oral Solution, USP) should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Overdosage

Sourced from openFDA

The administration of oral potassium salts to persons with normal excretory mechanisms for potassium rarely causes serious hyperkalemia. However, if excretory mechanisms are impaired or if potassium is administered too rapidly intravenously, potentially fatal hyperkalemia can result (see Contraindications and Warnings ). It is important to recognize that initally hyperkalemia is usually asymptomatic and may be manifested only by an increased serum potassium concentration and characteristic electrocardiographic changes (peaking of T-waves, loss of P-wave, depression of S-T segment, and prolongation of the QT interval). Late manifestations include muscle paralysis and cardiovascular collapse from cardiac arrest. Treatment measures for hyperkalemia include the elimination of foods and medications containing potassium and potassium-sparing diuretics, as well as ACE inhibitors, beta blocking agents, NSAIDs, heparin, and cyclosporine.

FAERS reports

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Reference statistics only. FAERS reports are voluntarily submitted and are not incidence rates, safety signals, or causal evidence. Counts reflect reporting volume — how often a reaction was reported, not how often it occurs. For decision-grade use, consult openFDA and the FAERS Public Dashboard directly.
693 total reports matchedLatest report Share = reports listing the reaction ÷ total matched reports. Rows can sum to >100% because a single report often lists multiple reactions.
  1. 1Diarrhoea689.8%
  2. 2Off Label Use568.1%
  3. 3Fatigue476.8%
  4. 4Dyspnoea456.5%
  5. 5Acute Kidney Injury436.2%
  6. 6Asthenia426.1%
  7. 7Pain426.1%
  8. 8Pneumonia415.9%
  9. 9Vomiting395.6%
  10. 10Back Pain375.3%
  11. 11Death375.3%
  12. 12Urinary Tract Infection355.1%
  13. 13Weight Decreased334.8%
  14. 14Headache324.6%
  15. 15Disease Progression314.5%

Literature

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Recent PubMed references pinned to Potassium Bicarbonate as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Clinical trials

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The 10 most recently updated of 1,930 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Potassium Bicarbonate as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

Frequently asked questions

How does Potassium Bicarbonate work?
Mechanism-of-action classes: Acid-Base Activity; Electrolyte Activity.
What is Potassium Bicarbonate used for?
According to FDA labeling, Potassium Bicarbonate carries indications including: For therapeutic use in patients with hypokalemia with or without metabolic alkalosis; in chronic digitalis intoxication; and in patients with hypokalemic familial periodic paralysis. For prevention of potassium depletion when the dietary intake of potassium ion is inadequate in the following conditions; patients receiving digitalis and diuretics for congestive heart failure; hepatic cirrhosis with ascites; states of aldosterone excess with normal renal function; potassium-losing nephropathy, and certain diarrheal states; long-term corticosteroid therapy.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
What class of drug is Potassium Bicarbonate?
Potassium Bicarbonate is classified as Potassium, Acid-Base Activity, Electrolyte Activity, Cellular Activity Alteration, Increased Insulin Secretion, Organized Electrical Activity Alteration.
What are the brand names for Potassium Bicarbonate?
Potassium Bicarbonate is marketed under brand names including Effer-K, Klor-Con/EF.
What are the contraindications for Potassium Bicarbonate?
Potassium Bicarbonate labeling lists contraindications including: Potassium supplements are contraindicated in patients with hyperkalemia since a further increase in serum potassium concentration in such patients can produce cardiac arrest. Conditions predisposing to hyperkalemia include: chronic renal failure, acute metabolic acidosis, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, esophageal compression or delayed gastric emptying or intestinal obstruction/stricture or peptic ulcer.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
Note. Data for potassium-bicarbonate is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

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