Potassium Chloride Uses

Potassium chloride is for potassium replacement. It is used to prevent and treat low potassium. This medication is prescribed to people with low potassium in whom dietary management with potassium-rich foods or a reduction in the dose of diuretic (water pill) is not enough to maintain normal serum potassium levels.

There may be other uses of potassium chloride—your doctor or pharmacist can give you further drug information.

Potassium Chloride Mechanism of Action

Potassium chloride is used to replenish potassium in people with potassium depletion. Potassium is an electrolyte that plays important roles in muscle contraction, blood pressure regulation, and fluid balance in the body.

Potassium Chloride Doses

Potassium chloride is dosed in milliequivalents (mEq). The usual dose of potassium chloride for treatment of hypokalemia (low potassium) is 40 mEq to 100 mEq per day in adults and 2-4 mEq per kg of body weight per day in children up to 16 years of age. 

The typical dose for prevention of low potassium is 20 mEq per day in adults and 1-3 mEq per kg per day in children 16 years of age and younger.