Effervescent Potassium

Potassium is a mineral that is found naturally in foods and is necessary for many normal functions of your body, especially the beating of your heart.

Potassium bicarbonate is used to prevent or to treat a potassium deficiency (hypokalemia).

Potassium bicarbonate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease;

• Addison's disease;

• stomach ulcer or an intestinal blockage; or

• chronic diarrhea (colitis).

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use potassium bicarbonate, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether potassium bicarbonate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Take potassium bicarbonate with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.

Drop the effervescent tablets into a glass of water (at least 4 ounces, or one-half cup). Allow the tablets to dissolve completely and then drink this mixture right away. Do not save it for later use.

Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking potassium bicarbonate suddenly, your condition may become worse.

Store potassium bicarbonate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

The following drugs can interact with potassium bicarbonate. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

• digoxin (Lanoxin);

• an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik);

• a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren);

• a diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic), chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril, HCTZ, others), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Zaroxolyn), spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide);

• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis),, and others; or

• a steroid such as prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with potassium bicarbonate or affect your condition. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Belly pain.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Loose stools (diarrhea).

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Some side effects of Effervescent Potassium may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.