POTASSIUM BICARBONATE (Effer-K 20 mEq Unflavored) Nursing Considerations

What is the generic name?

POTASSIUM BICARBONATE

What is the Trade Name for POTASSIUM BICARBONATE?

Effer-K 20 mEq Unflavored

What are the Indications for POTASSIUM BICARBONATE?

• Indications and Usage For therapeutic use in patients with hypokalemia with or without metabolic alkalosis; in chronic digitalis intoxication; and in patients with hypokalemic familial periodic paralysis. For prevention of potassium depletion when the dietary intake of potassium ion is inadequate in the following conditions; patients receiving digitalis and diuretics for congestive heart failure; hepatic cirrhosis with ascites; states of aldosterone excess with normal renal function; potassium-losing nephropathy, and certain diarrheal states; long-term corticosteroid therapy. The use of potassium salts in patients receiving diuretics for uncomplicated essential hypertension or receiving certain antibiotics is often unnecessary when such patients have a normal dietary pattern. Serum potassium should be checked periodically, however, and, if hypokalemia occurs, dietary supplementation with potassium-containing foods may be adequate to control milder cases. In more severe cases supplementation with potassium salts may be indicated.

References: https://open.fda.gov/