Potassium repletion
- Restores membrane excitability and cardiac/neuromuscular function
- The exact opposite of a potassium binder
- Too-rapid repletion → hyperkalemia → arrhythmia
- ⚑ Rapid IV administration can be fatal; oral forms cause GI ulceration
- always dilute, never IV push
Drugs with this mechanism (1)
- Potassium chloride — Standard hypokalemia replacement; oral GI injury and IV errors can be lethal.
Self-check
- Can potassium replacement be given by IV push?
Never; always dilute. - What injury can oral potassium cause?
GI ulceration.
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