Potassium citrate Side Effects

Brand Names: Twin-K

Please note - some side effects for Potassium citrate may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Potassium citrate - for the Consumer

Potassium Citrate

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Potassium Citrate:

Diarrhea or loose bowel movements; nausea; stomach pain; upset stomach; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; confusion; severe stomach pain; tingling of hands or feet; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; weakness.

Potassium Citrate/Citric Acid Solution

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Potassium Citrate/Citric Acid Solution:

Diarrhea; loose stools; nausea; upset stomach; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; confusion; severe stomach pain; tingling of hands or feet; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; weakness.

Potassium citrate Side Effects - for the Professional

Potassium Citrate

Some patients may develop minor gastrointestinal complaints during Potassium Citrate Tablets therapy, such as abdominal discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, loose bowel movements or nausea. These symptoms are due to the irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, and may be alleviated by taking the dose with meals or snack, or by reducing the dosage. Patients may find intact matrices in feces.

Side Effects by Body System

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have been reported rarely. Hyperkalemia may cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, and can occur even when renal function is normal. Patients should not use potassium-rich salt substitutes without the advice of their healthcare professional during potassium citrate therapy. Long-term therapy can result in metabolic alkalosis.

Signs of hyperkalemia include muscle weakness (including frank skeletal muscle and diaphragm paralysis), peaked T waves on the ECG, and cardiac arrhythmias.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal (GI) side effects have been reported the most frequently. These have included nausea, vomiting, and epigastric or abdominal pain (in 3% to 17% of patients). GI side effects may be lessened by taking the drug with meals.

There are numerous reports of GI ulceration and rare reports of gastric or small bowel obstruction associated with the use of solid potassium salt preparations. Patients at higher risk of GI lesions include the elderly and patients with scleroderma, diabetes mellitus, mitral valve replacement, cardiomegaly, esophageal stricture, or impaired GI motility or diverticulae.

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