Potassium Chloride Extended-Release Tablets (Wax Matrix)

What is this medication?

POTASSIUM CHLORIDE (poe TASS i um KLOOR ide) prevents and treats low levels of potassium in your body. Potassium plays an important role in maintaining the health of your kidneys, heart, muscles, and nervous system.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): K-Tab, Kaon-CL, Klor-Con, Klotrix, Slow-K

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Addison disease
• Dehydration
• Diabetes, high blood sugar
• Difficulty swallowing
• Heart disease
• High levels of potassium in the blood
• Irregular heartbeat or rhythm
• Kidney disease
• Large areas of burned skin
• Stomach ulcers, other stomach or intestine problems
• An unusual or allergic reaction to potassium, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Take it with food. Do not cut, crush, chew, or suck this medication. Swallow the tablets whole. If you have difficulty swallowing them, talk to your care team. Keep taking this medication unless your care team tells you to stop.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Certain diuretics such as spironolactone, triamterene
• Certain medications for stomach problems like atropine; difenoxin and glycopyrrolate
• Eplerenone
• Sodium polystyrene sulfonate

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Certain medications for blood pressure or heart disease like lisinopril, losartan, quinapril, valsartan
• Medications that lower your chance of fighting infection such as cyclosporine, tacrolimus
• NSAIDs, medications for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• Other potassium supplements
• Salt substitutes

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. You may need blood work done while you are taking this medication.

Avoid salt substitutes while on this medication unless you are told otherwise by your care team. You may need to be on a special diet. Ask your care team.

If you get black tarry stools or vomit up what looks like coffee grounds, call your care team right away. You may have a bleeding ulcer.

The tablet shell of this medication does not dissolve. This is normal. The tablet shell may appear whole in the stool. This is not a cause for concern.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Bowel blockage—stomach cramping, unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas, loss of appetite, vomiting
• Esophageal ulcer—loss of appetite, throat pain, pain or trouble swallowing, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, dry cough
• High potassium level—muscle weakness, fast or irregular heartbeat
• Stomach bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F ). Protect from light and moisture. Keep the container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.