Sterile Potassium Chloride Concentr Bp 15%W/V 1.5g In 10ml
PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET Sterile Potassium Chloride Concentrate BP 15%w/v, 1.5g in 10ml Potassium Chloride BP
READ ALL OF THIS LEAFLET CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU START USING THIS MEDICINE.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If any of the side effects becomes serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
1. What Potassium Chloride is and what it is used for
2. Before you are given Potassium Chloride
3. How you are given Potassium Chloride
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Potassium Chloride
6. Further information
1. WHAT POTASSIUM CHLORIDE IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
Potassium Chloride belongs to a group of medicines called electrolyte replacement solutions. Electrolytes are a group of chemicals and salts that are in the body fluids.
Potassium Chloride is used in patients needing additional amounts of potassium.
2. BEFORE YOU ARE GIVEN POTASSIUM CHLORIDE You should not be given Potassium Chloride if :
• you know that you are allergic to potassium chloride or any of the other ingredients in this medicine (see Section 6 of this leaflet).
• you have high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalaemia) - your doctor will advise you. Make sure your doctor knows if you suffer from the above.
Take special care with Potassium Chloride if you:
• have a kidney disorder or if your adrenal glands are not working properly (your doctor will advise you)
• have heart disease
• have had a recent severe injury involving a large area of skin such as a burn Make sure your doctor is aware of these situations if it is not already obvious.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, or have recently taken, any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription.
In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
• Diuretics (“water tablets”)
• Other medicines containing potassium Pregnancy and breast feeding
Do not have Potassium Chloride if you are pregnant (or think you may be), or reast feeding unless your doctor has decided that it is in your best interests.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Potassium chloride should not interfere with your ability to drive or use machines but consult your doctor first.
3. HOW YOU ARE GIVEN POTASSIUM CHLORIDE
Potassium Chloride is diluted and then slowly dripped through a needle into a vein. The process may take an hour or more depending on your dose. Your doctor will decide the best dose for you. While this medicine is being injected, your ECG (electrocardiogram, measuring the heart) should be monitored continuously.
If you are given more Potassium Chloride than you should
As Potassium Chloride is administered by a healthcare professional it is unlikely that you will be given too much. If you think you have been given too much medicine, tell your doctor. The likely signs of an overdose are the occurrence of side-effects as listed below.
In this event, you will be treated in the hospital and you will be given the necessary treatment.
If you miss a dose of Potassium Chloride
This is unlikely as the injection is given by a healthcare professional but if you are concerned about missing a dose speak to your doctor.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines Potassium Chloride can sometimes cause side-effects, although not everybody gets them.
The most likely side-effects are:
• Tingling or other odd sensations
• Muscle weakness or loss of movements
• Faintness or irregular heart beats, or heart attack
• Too much potassium in the blood (hyperkalaemia) which would be identified by a blood test
• Low blood pressure causing dizziness on standing (hypotension)
Please tell your doctor as soon as possible if experience any of the above or are concerned they may have occurred.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor (GP or hospital doctor) or pharmacist.
5. HOW TO STORE POTASSIUM CHLORIDE
These instructions apply mainly to the healthcare professional administering the injection.
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
This medicine should be stored out of the light at a maximum temperature of 25oC and should not be used after the expiry date that is shown on the
ampoule, if the ampoule is damaged or if the solution is cloudy or has solids in it. If only part of the ampoule is used, throw away the rest of the solution.
6. FURTHER INFORMATION
Each 10ml plastic ampoule contains 15% w/v (1.5g) of active ingredient, Potassium Chloride.
The other ingredient is Water for Injections BP Potassium Chloride must be diluted before use to not less than fifty times its volume of sodium chloride injection or other suitable liquids for dilution.
What Potassium Chloride looks like and contents of pack
Potassium Chloride is a clear, colourless, sterile aqueous solution for injection. Potassium Chloride comes in a 10ml plastic ampoule. Potassium Chloride is supplied in packs of 10, 20, 50 and 100 ampoules.
Marketing authorization holder
Mercury Pharma International Ltd., 4045, Kingswood Road, City West Business Park, Co Dublin, Ireland.
Manufacturer
Mercury Pharma International Ltd., 4045, Kingswood Road, City West Business Park, Co Dublin, Ireland.