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Doctor insights on:
Lethal Dose Of Potassium Chloride
1
Could you explain what is potassium chloride and is it lethal?

Essential mineral: Potassium (k) is an element, it is actually a metal and forms salts easily, much like sodium. Potassium is essential to the function of muscle and nerves via a biologic system of electrical potentials. When the k level outside the cell is too high your heart stops, when the k level is too low muscles freeze up. K levels are controlled by the kidneys, high k levels are frequent in renal failure. ...Read more
Potassium (Definition)
Potassium is an essential electrolyte, important in the functioning of many organs including the heart, kidneys, muscles, nerves, and digestive system. Deficiency can be caused by diseases such as kidney failure, vomiting, and diarrhea, or by ...Read more
2
How dangerous is potassium chloride injection?

IV Potassium: IV potassium is painful to veins and dangerous, too. Standard limit is 10-20 meq per hour IV DILUTED IN AT LEAST 100 CC FLUID. If diluted in 1000 cc, 40 meq can be infused over 2-4 hours. IM potassium is never given. Potassium I V can be fatal. ...Read more
3
Potassium chloride would go under what care plan?

Potassium chloride: Patients would take Potassium Chloride (kcl) as a supplement to elevate low levels of potassium (k). It is also important to check the level of magnesium (m) of the person taking kcl as well. Patients with low m levels will not increase their k levels until m levels are normal. ...Read more
4
Please describe the medication: potassium chloride?

Potassium Chloride: A supplement for people who do not have enough potassium in the body. This is caused by either taking drugs such as diuretics (water pills) or from certain diseases. ...Read more
5
What could someone be taking potassium chloride for?
KCL: Low blood potassium. Need to find cause of low K as it can kill. I specialize in this and avaiable for next 3 hours to help. ...Read more
6
What is the definition or description of: potassium chloride?
Potassium salt: Potassium chloride is medication that is often given to replace lost potassium. Potassium is a critical ingredient in the function of cells especially in the contraction of muscles including the heart. ...Read more
7
Could potassium chloride make you nauseated?

See below: Yes, and also has potential to cause ulcers in the esophagous, [food pipe]. ...Read more
8
What amount potassium chloride is fatal?
Potassium chloride: Potassium chloride can be safe or can be fatal, depending upon amount given or taken in a specified amount of time. If potassium deficit exists, then the body handles a large amount. If kidney failure exists, then the body cannot manage even a smaller dose. Usual diet is 3000-5000 grams of potassium per day. ...Read more
9
What to do if kaon-cl (potassium chloride) 20% meq q.d?

Potassium chloride: You need to rephrase your question so that people on Healthtap can know what it is you are asking. The dose of potassium chloride is 20 mEq, not 20%mEq. Please resubmit a better question for a meaningful answer. ...Read more
10
Can you tell me in biological term on what is the effect of potassium chloride on human body?

KCL: Will increase low body K which can kill you. Take too much and it will kill you from high body K. I would go to wikipedia and review potassium metabolism. ...Read more
11
What is the difference between potassium chloride ER and Cr pls? I have taken Cr for over 20 yrs. It is a script dosage of 8 meqs twice a day. Will th
One means controlled: Release, the other means extended release. I think they are the same and will give you the same dosage of potassium. ...Read more
12
Should I take potassium chloride or potassium gluconate?

Depends.: If you have low potassium usually people take Potassium Chloride but most people tolerate either. Should be discussed with your doctor as to why he/she chose one over the other. ...Read more
13
If 100g of potassium chloride injected in buttocks not in veins is it deadly?
IM potassium: Is very painful and not safe
Get a more detailed answer ›
14
What will happen if potassium chloride is injected into human blood?

Potassium injection: Injecting potassium intravenously is dangerous and, depending on the amount of potassium given that way, can cause a cardiac arrest leading to death. Do not do so. ...Read more
15
How long till potassium chloride supplements get out of your system?
Kcl: With normal kidney function and taking no other potassium retaining medications, a dose of potassium chloride would dissipate within 12 -24 hours. Drinking adequate fluids help excrete it. ...Read more
16
How much of potassium chloride do you need to inject for hyperkalemia to occur?
Worrisome question: If you're planning this, I hope you will consider discussing your plans with someone who can help you through your troubles. Suicide is a long term answer to short term problems. Please seek help. There are always solutions - perhaps some you haven't considered. Consider a crisis hotline, friend, teacher, parent, sibling, or hospital er. ...Read more
17
How quickly is the powdered form of Potassium Chloride 25mEq absorbed into the body? How long does it take to raise blood level of K?
KCL powder:
KCL powder dissolved in more than 4 OZ of water or juice usually have rapid onset of action, and it is recommended to be taken after a meal.
K supplements should be taken with doctor supervision and recommendations as high K level is also serious to health as low K levels
...Read more
18
When we eat a banana is the potassium absorbed straight away? Or does it release it through the day? How does it work? Potassium chloride faster absb?
It depends: It depends on our body's individual response. Oral Potassium Chloride will be absorbed over 1-2 hours and banana may take upto 4 hours. ...Read more
19
How much time does it take for potassium chloride to stop the heart?
Depends: Depends on the dose, the route of administration, and the rate of administration. During executions, it seems to take 15-30 minutes as best as I can determine it (I've never witnessed one I'm glad to say). That time frame would make sense to me. Theoretically, if you injected a massive amt of potassium directly into the heart, death might occur instantly. ...Read more
20
Potassium phosphate vs potassium chloride, how effective is one over the other?
What R we treating?: If you want to treat low potassium level, PO potassium Chloride is more effective since it simply has more meq of potassium in each pill (over 10 times the amount of potassium in PO potassium Phosphate). PO Potassium phosphate is mainly for treatment of low phosphorus level! ...Read more
21
My potassium level is low, dr started me on potassium chloride, but I take lisinipril htc. Is this ok?
Yes: The low potassium is due to the diuretic in your medicine (the htc). This diuretic works toward the end of the kidney tubule and increases the loss of potassium. It is important to take the potassium chloride and have the blood level checked to be sure of improvement. Very low potassium levels can be dangerous. ...Read more
22
Why is there an edema when you have Cardiomyopathy? I was given a diuretics. Now why do you think is it that I was given a potassium chloride?

Poor heart function: If the heart is weak, then it does not pump forward well, and fluid backs up in places - ankles/feet; lungs; belly. Diuretics help drive excess fluid and salt out of the system. Often diurectics also drive potassium out in the urine - hence extra potassium is needed to be taken in. ...Read more
23
I have been on lasix for 4 years now. I first was prescribed 20 mg as needed daily for swelling. After a while 20 mg was not enough. I started taking more and more. I now have to take potassium chloride twice daily because of the lasix. I tried to stop it
Be careful: Lassie is not a regular med. It's need should be evaluated periodically. U may get serious side effects. Don't take it without reg check ups and blood tests. ...Read more
24
Which electrode works better potassium chloride or silver chloride for ecg?

Sodium chloride: Nacl sodium chloride commonly known as table salt is an electrical conductor that I have used to assess impulses for an ecg. ...Read more
25
How can potassium chloride decrease heart rate?

Potassium: Potassium is a crucial electrolyte for cardiac depolarization. Most of the potassium is intracellular. If the extracellular potassium increases it can slow the depolarization rate, severe hyperkalemia can kill reliably. ...Read more
26
What is the difference between potassium chloride and bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate)?

Different molecule: Both Potassium Chloride and bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate) are used as potassium supplements with the only difference being the part of molecule (the anion) attached to the potassium. The bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate) portion of the molecule acts differently than chloride and is responsible for the fizzing in soday. It is for this reason that potassium bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate) can be used as an aantacid. ...Read more
27
How much capsules of glucosamine sulphate potassium chloride 500 mg can i/should I take for osteoarthritis?

2-3 x/ day: You can take glucosamine 1000-1500mg daily possibly along with chondroitin sulfate 800-1200mg daily for osteoarthritis. ...Read more
28
Noticed the daily can of low sodium V-8 is spiked with potassium chloride. Since I’m on lisinopril, is this wise?
Spiked with potas:
Likely this is not a great idea, often low sodium foods will change sodium for potassium. Check with your doctor who may order blood tests and switch to something other than V8 daily
...Read more
29
Would eating a gram of potassium chloride lower blood pressure, and eating a gram of salt raise it? Is there a certain ratio you should have?

Somewhat unrelated: Though extra salt (or sodium) in your diet can definitely contribute to increasing blood pressure (especially in the long run), the extra potassium would not affect your blood pressure, neither increasing nor decreasing it. Thus, there is no ratio needed. ...Read more
30
A low sodium salt has contents: 66.6%potassium chloride, 33.3%sodium chloride. Should I be concerned on its high potassium or good replacement for salt?

Use caution.: Salt intake and salt replacements are getting a lot of press lately. Sodium load in a diet is getting out of control due to practices of our food industry and taste requirements. People look at the alternatives and Potaccium is one of them. A usual replacement shows that the ratio of NaCL/KCl should be 60/40. So your salt may be showing an unusual ratio. But be aware that it is quantity not ratio. ...Read more
Potassium Chloride (Definition)
Potassium chloride is medication that is often given to replace lost potassium. Potassium is a critical ingredient in the function of cells especially in the contraction of ...Read more
Chloride (Definition)
Chloride is a negatively charged ion of chlorine found in cells and serum. Chloride is the main ion which balances out the positively charged ions ...Read more