Prescriptions for intravenous potassium chloride

"The pharmacist who receives a prescription for intravenous potassium chloride must be careful and check the amount of potassium chloride in the prescription and the infusion rate at which the drug is to be administered to the patient. The usual additive dilution of potassium chloride is 40 mEq/liter of intravenous fluid. The maximum desirable concentration is 80 mEq/liter of potassium chloride, although severe emergencies may dictate greater concentrations. The maximum infusion rate should not exceed 40 mEq per hour with a maximum24-hour dose not exceeding 400 mEq of potassium chloride. Because of its potent ECG effects, when infused it is wise to monitor the patient's ECG, and to check the patient's serum potassium level after the first 50 to 100 mEq of potassium chloride are administered."

Source: Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems, 6th ed. by Ansel, Howrd C., et. al., page 325.


"The risks associated with intravenous potassium chloride are well known. If it is injected too rapidly or in too high a dose, it may cause cardiac arrest within minutes. The effect of hyperkalaemia on the heart is complex - virtually any arrhythmia may be observed."

Source: "High-risk medication alert: intravenous potassium chloride" at http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazine/28/1/14/6/


Example of prescriptions for intravenous potassium chloride we encountered:

Potassium Chloride 120 mEq in PNSS 1L x 12 H
Potassium Chloride 200 mEq in PNSS 200 cc x 16 H