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Medication guide

Potassium chloride: uses, appearance and warnings

What the official FDA label says Potassium chloride is used for, what it looks like, and its most important warnings — in plain English, with the label text one click away.
PotassiumElectrolyte solutionsPrescription label

Uses

What the official label says Potassium chloride is used for

The FDA label for Potassium chloride states:

Potassium chloride for oral solution is indicated for the treatment and prophylaxis of hypokalemia with or without metabolic alkalosis, in patients for whom dietary management with potassium-rich foods or diuretic dose reduction is insufficient. Potassium chloride for oral solution is a potassium salt indicated for the treatment and prophylaxis of hypokalemia with or without metabolic alkalosis, in patients for whom dietary management with potassium-rich foods or diuretic dose reduction is insufficient. (1)
Read the label's “Indications and usage” section (verbatim)
Potassium chloride for oral solution is indicated for the treatment and prophylaxis of hypokalemia with or without metabolic alkalosis, in patients for whom dietary management with potassium-rich foods or diuretic dose reduction is insufficient. Potassium chloride for oral solution is a potassium salt indicated for the treatment and prophylaxis of hypokalemia with or without metabolic alkalosis, in patients for whom dietary management with potassium-rich foods or diuretic dose reduction is insufficient. (1)

Names & forms

Brand names, forms and strengths

Brand names (from RxNorm; not every brand is still sold): K-Tab, Klor-Con, Pokonza.

Generic name: potassium chloride · RxNorm ID (RxCUI): 8591

Forms and strengths of Potassium chloride listed in RxNorm
FormStrengths listed in RxNorm
Effervescent Oral Tablet25 MEQ, 500 MG
Extended Release Oral Capsule8 MEQ, 10 MEQ
Extended Release Oral Tablet8 MEQ, 10 MEQ, 15 MEQ, 20 MEQ
Injectable Solution0.02 MEQ/ML, 2 MEQ/ML
Injection0.1 MEQ/ML, 0.2 MEQ/ML, 0.4 MEQ/ML, 2 MEQ/ML
Oral Capsule10 MEQ
Oral Solution0.667 MEQ/ML, 1.33 MEQ/ML, 2.67 MEQ/ML
Oral Tablet1.33 MEQ, 2.42 MEQ, 8 MEQ, 10 MEQ, 20 MEQ, 25 MEQ
Powder for Oral Solution10 MEQ, 15 MEQ, 20 MEQ, 25 MEQ, 40 MEQ

Strengths are listed so you can recognise a product — not as dosing information. Only your prescriber can decide what is right for you.

Read the label's “Dosage forms and strengths” section (verbatim)
Each pouch contains 1.5 g of potassium chloride, USP supplying 20 mEq of potassium and 20 mEq of chloride. Potassium chloride for oral solution, USP 20 mEq: Each pouch contains 1.5 g of Potassium Chloride providing potassium 20 mEq and chloride 20 mEq. (3)

Appearance

What Potassium chloride looks like

Illustration: yellow oval tablet, extended release, imprint P10P10

potassium chloride 750 mg
Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC

Illustration: white oval tablet, extended release, imprint P20P20

potassium chloride 1500 mg
Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC

Illustration: white capsule tablet, extended release, imprint A10A10

potassium chloride 750 mg
Northstar Rx LLC

Illustration: white capsule tablet, extended release, imprint A20A20

potassium chloride 1500 mg
Northstar Rx LLC

Illustration based on label data — not a photo; appearance varies by manufacturer. Confirm with your pharmacist.
Appearance of Potassium chloride products from DailyMed product data
StrengthFormColourShapeSizeImprintScoreLabeler
potassium chloride 1.5 g per 1.58 gfor solutionorange“light pink to orange”————Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC
potassium chloride 750 mgtablet, extended releaseyellowoval16 mmP101Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC
potassium chloride 1500 mgtablet, extended releasewhiteoval20 mmP201Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC
potassium chloride 1.5 g per 15 mLsolutionorange“clear, orange”————Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC
potassium chloride 3 g per 15 mLsolutionorange“clear, orange”————Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC
potassium chloride 750 mgtablet, extended releasewhitecapsule17 mmA101Northstar Rx LLC
potassium chloride 1500 mgtablet, extended releasewhitecapsule22 mmA202Northstar Rx LLC

From the product data in each manufacturer's label on DailyMed. Many companies make Potassium chloride, so your medicine may look different from any shown here. If a pill looks unfamiliar, ask your pharmacist before taking it.

Read the label's “How supplied” section (verbatim)
Potassium chloride for oral solution USP, 20 mEq is supplied as a light pink to orange powder with an orange odor. It is available as follows: Each pouch contains 1.5 g of potassium chloride providing potassium 20 mEq and chloride 20 mEq Carton of 30 pouches: NDC 60219-1617-3 Carton of 100 pouches: NDC 60219-1617-8 Storage Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP. PROTECT from LIGHT. Rx only Manufactured by: Amneal Pharmaceuticals Private Limited Ahmedabad 382220, INDIA Distributed by: Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Rev. 12-2022-00

Safety

Important warnings for Potassium chloride

Gastrointestinal Irritation: Dilute before use, take with meals. (5.1) 5.1 Gastrointestinal Irritation May cause gastrointestinal irritation. Increased dilution of the solution and taking with meals may reduce gastrointestinal irritation [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] .

Contraindications — who should not use it (verbatim)
Potassium chloride is contraindicated in patients on potassium sparing diuretics. Concomitant use with potassium sparing diuretics. (4)
Warnings and precautions (verbatim excerpt)
Gastrointestinal Irritation: Dilute before use, take with meals. (5.1) 5.1 Gastrointestinal Irritation May cause gastrointestinal irritation. Increased dilution of the solution and taking with meals may reduce gastrointestinal irritation [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] .
Side effects — opening of the label's adverse reactions section
The most common adverse reactions to oral potassium salts are nausea, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal pain/discomfort, and diarrhea. Most common adverse reactions are nausea, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal pain/discomfort, and diarrhea. (6) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amneal Pharmaceuticals at 1-877-835-5472 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Drug interactions — opening of the label's section
Potassium sparing diuretics: Avoid concomitant use. (7.1) Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors: Monitor for hyperkalemia. (7.2) Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Monitor for hyperkalemia. (7.3) 7.1 Potassium-Sparing Diuretics Use with potassium-sparing diuretics can produce severe hyperkalemia. Avoid concomitant use. 7.2 Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitors Drugs that inhibit the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) including angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), spironolactone, eplerenone, or aliskiren produce potassium retention by inhibiting aldosterone production. Closely monitor potassium in patients receiving concomitant RAAS therapy. …

This is not a complete list of warnings or side effects. Read the full label and talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. To report a side effect to the FDA, use MedWatch.

Resources

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Sources

Label text is quoted from the Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC label (label version effective August 1, 2026), retrieved October 20, 2026. Other manufacturers' labels for the same medicine may differ in wording.

If anything here differs from the label that came with your medicine, follow your label and your pharmacist.

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