Effer K Drug Information

Dosage and administration 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.

Adverse Reactions 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.

Drug Interactions The simultaneous administration of potassium supplements and a potassium-sparing diuretic can produce severe hyperkalemia (see Contraindications ). Potassium supplements should be used cautiously in patients who are using salt substitutes, because most of the latter contain substantial amounts of potassium. Such concomitant use could result in hyperkalemia. Moreover, the following drugs may produce unfavorable interactions when used concomitantly with potassium supplements: angiotension-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta-adrenergic blocking drugs, heparin, low-salt foods, other potassium containing medications, digitalis glycosides and others.

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.

Usage in Children Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

Contraindications 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. Potassium supplements should be used with caution and only where medically indicated in patients with familial periodic paralysis, myotonia congenita or severe/complete heart block.

IMPORTANT: Potassium supplements are contraindicated in patients receiving potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g. spironolactone, triamterene) since such use may produce severe hyperkalemia.

Overdosage 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.

In cases of life-threatening hyperkalemia, treatment measures may include: intravenous administration of 300 to 500 ml/hr of 10% dextrose solution containing 10-20 units of insulin per 1,000 ml; correction of acidosis, if present, with intravenous sodium bicarbonate; use of exchange resins, hemodialysis, or peritoneal dialysis; administration of a calcium salt to antagonize the cardiotoxic effects in patients whose electrocardiograms show appropriate characteristics, and who are not receiving digitalis glycosides; and maintenance of a high urine output in suitable patients. In treating hyperkalemia, it should be recalled that in patients who have been stabilized on digitalis, rapid lowering of serum potassium can produce digitalis toxicity.