Liquid Potassium Dose Equivalent to Potassium Chloride 10 mEq Tablet
The liquid potassium chloride dose equivalent to a 10 mEq tablet is 10 mEq (10 ml of a 20 mEq/15 ml solution or 10 ml of a 10% solution). Liquid potassium chloride is available in various concentrations, with the most common being 20 mEq/15 ml, which would require 7.5 ml to deliver 10 mEq.
Potassium Formulations and Equivalence
Liquid vs. Tablet Formulations
- Liquid potassium chloride is absorbed more rapidly than tablet formulations, making it ideal for situations requiring quick correction 1
- Standard liquid potassium chloride concentrations include:
- 20 mEq/15 ml (most common)
- 40 mEq/30 ml
- 10% solution (13.4 mEq/10 ml)
Dosing Considerations
When converting from tablets to liquid:
- Identify the exact mEq in the tablet (10 mEq in this case)
- Calculate the volume of liquid needed to deliver the same mEq
- Consider the concentration of the available liquid formulation
Clinical Applications
Administration Guidelines
- Liquid potassium should be administered with at least 4 oz (120 ml) of water or juice to minimize gastric irritation 2
- Spreading potassium supplements throughout the day is recommended to improve tolerance and effectiveness 3
- For pediatric patients, potassium supplements should be administered at 5-10 mmol/kg/day when needed 3
Special Populations
- For patients with ileostomies or altered GI tracts, immediate-release liquid formulations are preferred over extended-release tablets 4
- In patients with hyperkalemia, potassium supplements should be discontinued or reduced and carefully monitored 3
Safety Considerations
Monitoring
- Monitor serum potassium levels regularly when initiating or adjusting potassium supplementation
- For patients at risk of hyperkalemia, target potassium levels should be ≤5 mmol/L 5
- Patients with heart failure or renal insufficiency require more careful monitoring of potassium levels 3
Precautions
- Avoid rapid administration of liquid potassium as it can cause local irritation and potentially lead to hyperkalemia
- Patients should be counseled to avoid high-potassium foods when at risk for hyperkalemia 3, 5
- Liquid potassium chloride should not be administered undiluted due to risk of gastric irritation
Practical Conversion
For a standard 20 mEq/15 ml solution:
- 10 mEq = 7.5 ml of solution
For a 10% solution:
- 10 mEq = approximately 7.5 ml
The exact volume will depend on the specific concentration of the liquid formulation available at your institution.