potassium bicarbonate (redirected from potassium hydrogen carbonate)

potassium bicarbonate

n.

A compound in the form of a white powder or colorless crystals, used in baking powder and as an antacid medicine.

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potassium bicarbonate

K+Care ET

Pharmacologic class: Mineral, electrolyte

Therapeutic class: Electrolyte replacement, nutritional supplement

Pregnancy risk category C

Action

Maintains acid-base balance, isotonicity, and electrophysiologic balance throughout body tissues; crucial to nerve impulse transmission and contraction of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle. Also essential for normal renal function and carbohydrate metabolism.

Availability

Tablets for effervescent oral solution: 25 mEq

⊘Indications and dosages

➣ To prevent potassium depletion

Adults: Dosage highly individualized. Usual dosage is 25 mEq/day P.O. in divided doses.

➣ To treat potassium depletion

Adults: 50 to 100 mEq/day P.O. in divided doses, not to exceed a maximum daily dosage of 150 mEq

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to tartrazine or alcohol (with some products)
• Acute dehydration
• Heat cramps
• Hyperkalemia
• Hyperkalemic familial periodic paralysis
• Severe renal impairment
• Severe hemolytic reaction
• Severe tissue trauma
• Untreated Addison's disease
• Concurrent use of potassium-sparing diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, or salt substitutes containing potassium

Precautions

Use cautiously in:
• cardiac disease, renal impairment, diabetes mellitus, hypomagnesemia
• pregnant or breastfeeding patients
• children (safety and efficacy not established).

Administration

• Ensure that patient is adequately hydrated and urinating before starting therapy.
• Give with meals and a full glass of water or juice to minimize GI upset.
• Be aware that potassium preparations aren't interchangeable.
• Know that dosages are expressed in mEq of potassium and that potassium bicarbonate contains 10 mEq potassium/g.

Route	Onset	Peak	Duration
P.O.	Unknown	1-2 hr	Unknown

Adverse reactions

CNS: confusion, unusual fatigue, restlessness, asthenia, flaccid paralysis, paresthesia

CV: ECG changes, hypotension, heart block, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest

GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, flatulence

Metabolic: hyperkalemia

Musculoskeletal: weakness and heaviness of legs

Interactions

Drug-drug. ACE inhibitors, potassium-sparing diuretics, other potassium-containing preparations: increased risk of hyperkalemia

Drug-diagnostic tests. Potassium: increased level

Drug-food. Salt substitutes containing potassium: increased risk of hyperkalemia

Drug-herbs. Dandelion: increased risk of hyperkalemia

Licorice: decreased response to potassium

Patient monitoring

• Monitor renal function, fluid intake and output, and potassium, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels.
☞ Be aware that potassium is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment and must be used with extreme caution (if at all) in patients with any degree of renal impairment, because of risk of life-threatening hyperkalemia.
• Assess vital signs. Check ECG for arrhythmias.
• Monitor neurologic status. Stay alert for neurologic complications.

Patient teaching

• Instruct patient to dissolve tablets thoroughly in 4 to 8 oz of cold water or juice and to sip solution over 5 to 10 minutes with a meal.
• Advise patient to minimize GI upset by eating small, frequent servings of food and drinking plenty of fluids.
• Tell patient to report nausea, vomiting, confusion, numbness and tingling, unusual tiredness or weakness, or a heavy feeling in legs.
• Instruct patient to avoid salt substitutes.
• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs, tests, foods, and herbs mentioned above.