Potassium chloride: Uses, benefits, side effects and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What is potassium chloride and what are its benefits Medically reviewed by Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT, Nutrition — By Sarah Charmley on June 29, 2022Potassium is a mineral present in most human cells. It is a type of electrolyte that helps with nerve function, muscle movement, heartbeat regulation, and more. Potassium chloride is a supplement that can treat low potassium levels. Low potassium can cause hypokalemia, which can be serious. Dietary sources of potassium include leafy green vegetables and other fresh foods. This article will examine potassium chloride, its uses, side effects, benefits, and more. What is potassium chloride Share on PinterestWestend61/Getty ImagesPotassium chloride is a salt-like metal compound that contains potassium and chloride. It comes in the form of white, colorless, cube-shaped crystals and has a strong, salty taste. A person can purchase potassium chloride online or in health stores. It is available as a powder or extended-release tablet. Uses People can use potassium chloride to treat low potassium levels or hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can lead to an irregular heartbeat, which may lead to death in severe cases. It can result from:insulin deficiencyinsulin-replacement treatmentgastrointestinal infection or diarrhea and vomitingkidney problems The kidney is instrumental in retaining or excreting potassium from the body. The body can lose excessive amounts of potassium through vomiting and diarrhea. In these instances, a person can use potassium chloride as a supplement to increase their potassium intake. Other uses of potassium chloride include:eye drops and contact lens carea low sodium food substitutemedication administered orally, via injection or intravenously Benefits The human body needs potassium to work properly. Potassium helps muscle construction, nerve function, and heartbeat regulation. It also helps cells to function normally. A diet high in potassium can help reduce some of the harmful effects salt has on blood pressure. Benefits of taking potassium chloride include:reducing high blood pressurereducing the risk of developing heart disease and strokea reduction in salt consumption when used as a substitute Natural sources of potassium Potassium occurs naturally in fruit, vegetables, dairy, and seafood products. Foods that are particularly high in potassium include:beet greenscooked fufulima beansswiss chardroot vegetables, including sweet potato and parsnip How to take potassium chloride Potassium chloride is available by prescription as an extended-release tablet. It is also available as an injectible, ready-made solution, or soluble powder. When taking any medicines or supplements, a person should always follow the instructions on the manufacturer’s label or doctor’s prescription. In more severe cases, healthcare professionals can administer potassium chloride intravenously through a tube into the vein. A person should consult a doctor before giving potassium chloride to babies and children under 16 years of age. A person should always consult a doctor before using any supplements. The table below shows the average adequate potassium intake for adults and adolescents. These figures do not apply to those who release more or less potassium through urine, for example, due to kidney problems or medications. AgeMaleFemale14–18 years3,000 milligrams (mg)2,300mg19+ years3,400 mg2,600 mg Warnings A person should not take potassium chloride if they take medications that increase excess potassium. People with chronic kidney disease should also avoid taking potassium chloride, as their kidneys might be unable to expel excess potassium from the blood. A person is at risk of developing hyperkalemia — an excess of potassium — if they have certain conditions, including:type 1 diabetesliver diseaseadrenal insufficiencycongestive heart failure A person is most at risk from hypokalemia if they have inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. People who take potassium-sparing diuretics, thiazide diuretics and ACE inhibitors may also be at risk of ingesting too little potassium. Risks People who take potassium chloride may risk consuming too much potassium, resulting in hyperkalemia. Some people with hyperkalemia may be asymptomatic, which means they do not have any symptoms. However, the following symptoms may occur:heart palpitationsmuscle weaknessparesthesias, or prickling or burning feeling in extremitiesparalysisheart arrhythmia, which may be life threateningkidneys not excreting potassiumsmall bowel lesions, which may result in perforated bowel, an obstruction, or hemorrhage If someone suspects they have taken too much potassium chloride, they should seek medical attention. Side effects Most adverse effects result from the way a person takes potassium chloride. Taking the drug orally may cause vomiting and diarrhea. If a person has an injection, they may experience some complications at the injection site, including:phlebitis or inflammation of veinserythema or red patches of skinthrombosis, or blood clotting, at the injection sitemild hyperkalemia or higher than usual potassium levels in the blood Potassium chloride and other drugs According to the NIH, people will need to consult a doctor about taking potassium chloride with other medications. Potassium chloride may not be safe for people who take:ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers: These include Lotensin or benazepril and Cozaar or losartan.Potassium-sparing diuretics: Medications include Midamore or amiloride and Aldactone or spironolactone. A person taking these medications needs their potassium levels monitored through blood tests.Loop and thiazide diuretics: Medications include Lasix or furosemide and Bumex or bumetanide. Thiazide diuretics include Diuril or chlorothiazide and Zaroxolyn or metalazone. These drugs increase the body’s excretion of potassium, which may lead to low potassium. Frequently asked questions This section answers some frequently asked questions about low potassium and potassium chloride. What are the signs of low potassium Many people with hypokalemia do not display any symptoms, so it can be hard for a doctor to diagnose. If a person does have symptoms, they may include:muscle weakness starting in the lower body and progressing further upparalysisnausea and vomitingabdominal distensionmuscle cramps rhabdomyolysis resulting in dark urine How does potassium chloride affect the heart If a person takes too much potassium chloride, they may experience heart palpitations or heart arrhythmia, which can be life threatening. However, having low potassium levels can also affect the heart, increasing the stiffness of the arteries and reducing muscle movements. A 2018 study found that people with heart failure were more likely to take diuretics and have low potassium levels. Diuretics can increase the loss of potassium through urine. Heart ventricle arrhythmia or an irregular heartbeat is more likely to develop in a person with low potassium levels. Low potassium levels may lead to increased calcium in the body, which can further initiate arrhythmia. If a person has low potassium levels, they should consult a doctor. They will recommend an adequate amount of potassium chloride to avoid hyperkalemia and straining the heart. What happens if you take too much potassium chloride Taking too much potassium chloride may result in hyperkalemia. This is when potassium levels in the blood are higher than usual. It is the opposite of hypokalemia. Hyperkalemia can develop quickly. Symptoms include:muscle weaknesstingling or numbnessnausea or vomitingheart palpitationschest painfeeling short of breath A doctor can see how much potassium is in a person’s body by analyzing a blood sample. Levels of potassium are as follows and measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/l): StateLevels (mmol/l)normal potassium3.5 – 5.0 low potassium < 3.5 high potassium5.1 – 6.0 dangerously high potassium >6.0 People whose potassium levels are at the extreme ends of the scale may need urgent medical treatment, as this can be life threatening. Summary Potassium is an essential mineral for the body to maintain good health and functioning. Natural sources of potassium include green leafy vegetables, fruit, dairy products, beans, and nuts. A person can also take potassium chloride as a supplement to increase their potassium levels. A person should take supplements alongside a healthy, balanced diet. Always talk with your doctor before taking any supplements, including potassium chloride. Certain medications, such as diuretics, may result in low potassium levels, known as hypokalemia. In this case, a person will need to take potassium chloride to compensate. Taking too much potassium chloride may result in hyperkalemia, which may also need treatment. Hypokalemia and hyperkalemia can cause serious health conditions, such as heart and kidney failure. Anyone experiencing symptoms of either condition should consult a medical professional. Carefully monitoring and balancing potassium levels will help keep the condition stable. Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2022SupplementsNutrition / Diet 10 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Castro, D, et al. (2022). Hypokalemia.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482465/Food sources of potassium. (n.d.).https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/food-sources-potassiumMcMahon, R. S., et al. (2022). Potassium chloride.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557785/Potassium and your CKD diet. (n.d.).https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/potassiumPotassium chloride for oral solution. (2015)https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/208019lbl.pdfPotassium. Fact sheet for health professionals. (2021).https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Potassium-HealthProfessional/Potassium chloride. (n.d.).https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Potassium-chlorideSkogestad, J., et al. (2018). Hypokalemia-induced arrthymias and heart failure: New insights and implications for therapy.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2018.01500/fullThe role of potassium and salt in your diet. (n.d.).https://www.cdc.gov/salt/potassium.htmWhat is hyperkalemia? (n.d.)https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/what-hyperkalemiaFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT, Nutrition — By Sarah Charmley on June 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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