Potassium Chloride Concentrate 15%
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Sterile Potassium Chloride concentrate (15 % w/v) BP
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
|
1 ml of solution contains | |
|
Potassium Chloride |
150 mg |
|
1 dosage unit of solution contains | |
|
Potassium Chloride • per 10 ml ampoule |
1.50 g |
|
Electrolyte concentrations |
[mmol/ml] |
|
Potassium |
2 |
|
Chloride |
2 |
Excipients
For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Concentrate for solution for infusion Clear, colourless aqueous solution
Theoretical osmolarity 4002 mOsm/l
pH 5.0-7.0
4.1 Therapeutic indications
• Treatment of potassium deficiency, in particular if accompanied by hypochloraemic alkalosis.
• Supplementation of potassium as a part of parenteral nutrition
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Posology
The dosage should be adjusted according to the actual serum electrolyte concentrations and the acid base status and the individual requirements of the patient.
Adults and the elderly patients:
Treatment of moderate, asymptomatic potassium deficiency: The amount required for correction of moderate potassium deficiency and in maintenance may be calculated according to the following formula:
mmol K+required =
(BW*[kg] x 0.2)** x 2 x (serum-K+target*** [mmol/l])
- serum-K+aCtual
*BW = body weight
Term represents the extracellular fluid volume
*** +
K target should be 4.5 mmol/l Maximum infusion rate
Up to 10 mmol potassium per hour (corresponding to 0.15 mmol potassium /kg body weight per hour).
Treatment of severe symptomatic potassium deficiency (serum potassium level below 2.5 mmol/l):
Maximum daily dose
Up to 2 - 3 mmol/kg body weight/day
Maximum infusion rate:
Up to 20 mmol potassium per hour (corresponding to 0.3 mmol potassium/kg body weight/hour).
If serum potassium levels are below 2 mmol/l and continuous ECG monitoring is ensured, the infusion rate may be as high as 40 mmol per hour.
Potassium supplementation as part of parenteral nutrition:
The daily requirements of potassium are 1- 1.5 mmol/ kg body weight.
The administration rate should not exceed 10 mmol potassium per hour (corresponding to 0.15 mmol potassium/ kg body weight per hour)
Paediatric population Treatment of potassium deficiency
In children, the solution must be diluted to a concentration of 20-40 mmol of KCl/l before administration.
Maximum daily dose
The maximum daily dose depends on the severity of potassium deficiency and overall condition of the individual patient. The maximum daily dose might therefore exceed the amount of potassium given as part of parenteral nutrition (see section “Potassium supplementation as part of parenteral nutrition” below).
Maximum infusion rate
Symptomatic hypokalemia can be corrected at a maximal rate of 1 mmol/kg body weight per hour with a maximum
Potassium supplementation as part of parenteral nutrition:dose of 20 mmol/h.
Recommended maximum daily dose (in mmol/kg body weight):
|
Period |
Term neonates |
Preterm neonates | |
|
>1500g |
<1500g | ||
|
1st week |
2 | ||
|
1st month prior to stable growth |
3 |
2 | |
|
1st month with stable growth |
3 |
5 | |
Children and infants after the first month of life must not receive more than 3 mmol per kg body weight per day.
Maximum infusion rate:
Up to 0.25 mmol/ kg body weight per hour.
Other special patient groups
Changes in acid-base balance affect plasma concentrations. The demand of potassium is increased in compensation of ketoacidosis in diabetic patients and when glucose/insulin is given.
Method of administration
Intravenous use
Only to be administered by infusion after dilution in suitable infusion solutions.
The potassium concentration in the infusion solution should normally not exceed 40 mmol/l.
If serum potassium levels in adults are below 2 mmol/l the potassium concentration in the infusion solution may be as high as 80 mmol/l.
For instructions on dilution of the medicinal product before administration, see section 4.4 and 6.6.
Contraindications
4.3
Sterile Potassium Chloride Concentrate (15 % w/v) BP must not be administered in the presence of:
• hyperkalaemia,
• hyperchloraemia,
• disorders that are frequently associated with hyperkalaemia such as:
- dehydration
- limited renal excretion
- ADDISON's disease
- hyperkalaemic familial periodic paralysis (Adynamia episodica hereditaria, GAMSTORP's syndrome)
- sickle cell anaemia
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Sterile Potassium Chloride Concentrate (15 % w/v) BP should only be administered with caution:
• in patients with cardiac decompensation
• in patients receiving treatment with potassium-saving diuretics, aldosterone antagonists, ACE inhibitors or potentially nephrotoxic medicinal products (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories etc.), see also section 4.5.
The administration of potassium-containing infusions must be discontinued if there are signs of renal insufficiency.
Sudden discontinuation of potassium administration may be followed by marked hypokalaemia, which may lead to increased toxicity of cardiac glycosides taken concomitantly.
There are typical changes in the ECG when the potassium balance is disturbed (hypo-or hyperkalaemia). However, there is , no linear relationship between the ECG changes and the concentration of potassium in the blood.
Clinical monitoring should include checks of the serum electrolyte levels and the acid-base balance.
It must be made absolutely sure that the solution is administered intravenously, because paravenous administration may cause tissue necrosis.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
• cardiac glycosides
An increase in the extracellular potassium concentration reduces the effect of cardiac glycosides, a decrease leads to an intensification of the arrythmogenic effect of cardiac glycosides.
• medicinal products reducing potassium excretion These include:
- potassium saving diuretics (e.g. triamterene, amiloride, spironolactone)
- aldosterone antagonists
- ACE inhibitors
- tacrolimus
- ciclosporin
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- peripheral analgesics
- long-term heparin
Severe hyperkalaemia adversely affecting heart rhythmcan result when these drugs are administered concurrently with potassium chloride.
• Suxamethonium
Severe hyperkalaemia, with adverse effect on the heart rhythm, can also occur when suxamethonuium and potassium are administered concurrently.
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Women of childbearing potential/contraception
Pregnancy
For Potassium Chloride 150 mg/ml no controlled clinical data on exposed pregnancies are available. Animal studies to detect direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to pregnancy, embryonal/foetal development, parturition or postnatal development are not available either. On the other hand, as potassium and chloride are constituents of all living organisms, these are not expected to exert any harmful effects.
Caution should be exercised when prescribing Potassium Chloride 150 mg/ml to pregnant women. The product should be used only when clearly needed and after careful weighing expected benefits against possible risks.
Lactation
No data are available from systematic studies regarding the use of Potassium Chloride 150 mg/ml during the lactation period.
Caution should be exercised when prescribing Potassium Chloride 150 mg/ml to breast-feeding women.
Fertility
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Sterile Potassium Chloride Concentrate (15 % w/v) BP has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
4.8 Undesirable effects
Undesirable effects are only expected to occur following absolute or relative overdose and/or too high infusion rates as symptoms of hyperkalaemia. See also section 4.9.
The frequency of the undesirable effects is dose-dependent.
Metabolism and nutrition disorders Acidosis, hyperchloraemia
Cardiac disorders
Too rapid infusion may provoke cardiac arrhythmia.
Gastrointestinal disorders Nausea
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
4.9 Overdose
Symptoms
Overdose may cause hyperkalaemia, in particular in the presence of acidosis or kidney insufficiency.
The symptoms of hyperkalaemia are primarily cardiovascular disorders. They may include bradycardia, AV blockade, ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest. In the ECG there are high, sharp, symmetrical T-waves and, at very high potassium levels, broadening of the QRS complex. The vascular effects are hypotension and centralisation.
The neuromuscular symptoms include fatigue, weakness, states of confusion, heaviness of limbs, muscle twitching, paraesthesia, and ascending paralysis.
Plasma potassium concentrations of 6.5 mmol/l or more are dangerous, over 8 mmol/l often lethal.
Treatment
The first measure is immediate stop of infusion.
Further corrective measures include slow intravenous administration of 10 % calcium gluconate, infusion of glucose together with insulin, increase of diuresis, oral or rectal administration of cation exchangers, correction of acidosis, if necessary.
In severe cases haemodialysis may be necessary.
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: IV solution additives - electrolytes ATC code: B05X A01
Mechanism of action
Potassium is the most important cation of the intracellular space, approx. 98 per cent of the organism’s total potassium is located there.
Potassium is involved in electrochemical processes of cells and in carbohydrate and protein metabolism.
Therapeutic effect
The therapeutic effect of potassium chloride concentrates for i.v. administration is treatment of potassium deficiency when oral (or enteral) intake is impossible or insufficient.
Potassium deficiency may be caused by increased renal excretion, increased gastrointestinal losses, e.g. by vomiting or diarrhoea, or through fistulae, by increased intracellular uptake, e.g. during therapy of acidosis or therapy with glucose and insulin, or by insufficient potassium intake
Hypokalaemia is accompanied by muscle weakness, atony of gastro-intestinal smooth muscles (constipation up to paralytic ileus), loss of capability of kidneys to concentrate urine, ECG alterations and cardiac arrhythmia.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Absorption
As the medicinal product is administered intravenously, its bio-availability is 100 per cent.
Distribution
The distribution of potassium follows the normal physiological pathways of potassium metabolism.
The plasma potassium concentration is closely related to the acid-base balance. Alkalosis is often accompanied by hypokalaemia and acidosis by hyperkalaemia. Normal plasma potassium concentrations in acidosis indicate potassium deficiency.
The intracellular potassium concentration is approx. 140-150 mmol/l. The normal potassium concentration in plasma is between 3.5 and 5 mmol/l.
Biotransformation Not applicable
Elimination
Potassium is mainly excreted into the urine (about 90 per cent) and about 10 per cent are excreted via the gastro-intestinal tract. Even in situations of potassium deficiency 10 - 50 mmol of potassium are renally excreted per day.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
At higher concentration, potassium chloride causes tissue irritation. No other toxic effects are to be expected (including mutagenic effects, carcinogenic effects, or toxic effects on reproduction).
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Water for injections
6.2 Incompatibilities
This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in section 6.6.
6.2 Shelf life
Unopened 30 months
After first opening the container
To be added to diluent immediately after opening the container. See also section 6.6.
After dilution
From a microbiological point of view, dilutions should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 to 8 ° C, unless dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.
Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for 24 hours at 20°C with the products identified in section 6.6.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Do not store above 25 °C
For storage conditions of the diluted product see section 6.3.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
The medicinal product is supplied in
• polyethylene (LDPE) plastic ampoules containing 10 ml supplied in packs of 20 x 10 ml
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
No special requirements for disposal.
Containers are for single-use only. Containers once opened must be discarded after use.
Do not use if solution is not clear or the container or closure show visible signs of damage.
Sterile Potassium Chloride Concentrate (15 % w/v) BP may be diluted in e.g.:
• 5 % or 10 % glucose solutions
• 0.9% sodium chloride solution
• Compound Sodium Lactate solution
Sterile Potassium Chloride Concentrate (15 % w/v) BP should only be added immediately before setting up the infusion and strictly aseptic technique should be observed. The infusion container should then be gently shaken.
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
B. Braun Melsungen AG Carl-Braun-StraBe 1 34212 Melsungen, Germany
Postal address:
34209 Melsungen, Germany
Telephone: +49 5661 71 0
Telefax: +49 5661 71 4567
8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
PL 03551/0075
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
30/09/2005
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
12/05/2015