ASHP INJECTABLE DRUG INFORMATION Potassium Chloride  1311

Potassium Chloride
AHFS 40:12

Products chloride injection thoroughly with the infusion solution before

Potassium chloride is available as concentrated solutions of 1.5 and
2 mEq/mL in 10-, 20-, 30-, and 40-mEq sizes in water for injection in
ampuls, vials, and syringes. It is also available in a 30-mL (60-mEq)
multiple-dose vial containing methylparaben 0.05% and propyl-
paraben 0.005% as preservatives and 250-mL pharmacy bulk pack-
ages. The pH may have been adjusted with hydrochloric acid and
if necessary potassium hydroxide during manufacture. The concen-
trated solutions must be diluted for use.1(5/06)
Potassium chloride is also available premixed in infusion
solutions in concentrations of 10, 20, 30, and 40 mEq/L.4
pH
The pH is usually near 4.6 with a range from 4 to 8.1(5/06) 17
Osmolarity
The injections are very hypertonic; the 2-mEq/mL concentra-
tion has an osmolarity of 4000 mOsm/L. The injection must be
diluted for use.1(5/06)
Osmolality
The osmolality of potassium chloride (Abbott) 2 mEq/mL was
determined to be 4355 mOsm/kg by freezing-point depression
and 3440 mOsm/kg by vapor pressure.1071
The osmolality of a potassium chloride 7.5% solution was
determined to be 1895 mOsm/kg.1233
administration. The usual maximum concentration is 40 mEq/L.
Extravasation should be avoided.1(5/06) 4
Great care is required when adding potassium chloride to
infusion solutions, whether in flexible plastic containers or
in rigid bottles. Adding potassium chloride to running infu-
sion solutions hanging in the use position, especially in flex-
ible containers, has resulted in the pooling of potassium chlo-
ride and a resultant high-concentration bolus of the drug being
administered to patients, with serious and even fatal conse-
quences. Attempts to mix adequately the potassium chloride
in flexible containers by squeezing the container in the hanging
position were unsuccessful. It is recommended that drugs be
admixed with solutions in flexible containers when positioned
with the injection arm of the container uppermost. With both
rigid bottles and flexible containers, subsequent repeated inver-
sion and agitation to effect thorough mixture are necessary.85 130
454 455 456 714 715 1127 1778 2151
Stability
The solution should be stored at controlled room temperature
and used only if it is clear.1(5/06)
Potassium chloride injection 80 mEq/L added to dextrose 5%
contained in glass bottles results in a leaching of precipitates
consisting of silica and alumina.129

Administration
Potassium chloride in the concentrated injections must be
diluted before slow intravenous administration. Mix potassium

Compatibility Information
Solution Compatibility
Potassium chloride
Test Soln Name Mfr Mfr Conc/L or % Remarks Ref C/I

Dextrose 2.5% in half-strength Ringer’s injection AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Dextrose 5% in Ringer’s injection AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Dextrose 5% in half-strength Ringer’s injection, AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

lactated

Dextrose 2.5% in Ringer’s injection, lactated AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Dextrose 5% in Ringer’s injection, lactated AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Dextrose 5% in Ringer’s injection, lactated BA LI 80 mEq Physically compatible for 24 hr 315 C

Dextrose 10% in Ringer’s injection, lactated AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Dextrose 2.5% in sodium chloride 0.45% AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

DOI: 10.37573/9781585286850.322
1312  Potassium Chloride ASHP INJECTABLE DRUG INFORMATION

Solution Compatibility (Cont.)

Test Soln Name Mfr Mfr Conc/L or % Remarks Ref C/I

Dextrose 2.5% in sodium chloride 0.9% AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Dextrose 5% in sodium chloride 0.225% AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Dextrose 5% in sodium chloride 0.45% AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Dextrose 5% in sodium chloride 0.9% AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Dextrose 5% in sodium chloride 0.9% 3g Physically compatible 74 C

Dextrose 5% in sodium chloride 0.9% BA LI 80 mEq Physically compatible for 24 hr 315 C

Dextrose 10% in sodium chloride 0.9% AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Dextrose 2.5% AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Dextrose 5% 3g Physically compatible 74 C

Dextrose 5% AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Dextrose 5% BA LI 80 mEq Physically compatible for 24 hr 315 C

Dextrose 10% AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Dextrose 10% BA LI 80 mEq Physically compatible for 24 hr 315 C

Dextrose 20% BA LI 80 mEq Physically compatible for 24 hr 315 C

Ionosol B in dextrose 5% AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Ionosol MB in dextrose 5% AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Ringer’s injection AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Ringer’s injection 3g Physically compatible 74 C

Ringer’s injection, lactated AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Ringer’s injection, lactated BA LI 80 mEq Physically compatible for 24 hr 315 C

Sodium chloride 0.45% AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Sodium chloride 0.9% 3g Physically compatible 74 C

Sodium chloride 0.9% AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Sodium chloride 0.9% BA LI 80 mEq Physically compatible for 24 hr 315 C

Sodium lactate 1⁄6 M AB AB 160 mEq Physically compatible 3 C

Sodium lactate 1⁄6 M BA LI 80 mEq Physically compatible for 24 hr 315 C

Additive Compatibility
Potassium chloride
Test Drug Mfr Conc/L or % Mfr Conc/L or % Test Solution Remarks Ref C/I

Amikacin sulfate BR 5g LI 3g D5LR, D5R, Physically compatible and both stable 294 C
D5S, D5W, for 24 hr at 25°C
D10W, LR, NS,
R, SL

Aminophylline 250 mg AB 3g D5W Physically compatible 74 C

Aminophylline SE 500 mg AB 40 mEq Physically compatible 6 C

Amiodarone HCl LZ 1.8 g AB 40 mEq D5W, NSa Physically compatible. No amiodarone 1031 C
loss in 24 hr at 24°C in light