Potassium tablets!

[Acarter2618]

Is there an inexpensive alternative to the giant potassuim pills? Big pills can't be crushed and they are too big to swallow.

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

At my facility we get two main types of potassium...the KDur extended release which are the big, non-crushable horse pills. They are scored so can be broken in half but can't be crushed.

Then we get these blue non-extended release capsules. The capsules are filled with sprinkles. They can be opened and mixed in pudding etc.

There is also a liquid, which is so horrid most people wont take it (a lady told me it tastes like poison even mixed in juice) or an orange flavored powder which doesn't seem quite as horrible tasting as the liquid. I save the liquid for G-tube patients.

We have most of our pts on the blue capsules now.

We have the big white pills and the blue capsules. The K-Dur white pills are my biggest pet peeve. Why would anyone would think that its a good idea to swallow is beyond me. I wouldn't even swallow it.

[MCSS]

I agree with canoehead, mindlor, it isn't a medication error if they are given the whole tablet anyway. Plus potassium tablets are scored in the center. Potassium is also available in powder form but it has to be diluted in juice or water. Capsules cannot be broken in half but they can be opened up and put in applesauce or pudding. Just be careful, though, the powder can make you cough and may cause dyspnea especially if you have a lung condition like asthma or emphysema. Potassium does come in liquid form as well but it cannot be given "straight". It must be diluted in juice or water (juice probably is more palatable). They can also be dissolved in water. I have had residents tell me when they are broken in half it is harder to swallow because of the "edge" where it was cut. It can also be given IV (which usually hurts and LTCs don't usually do that, it is also very irritating to the veins). I have had to take potassium pills and they are definitely not easy to get down. NEVER GIVE POTASSIUM IM OR IV WITHOUT IT BEING DILUTED IN NS, D5.45NS, etc. Cardiac arrest can and has happened by giving it "straight" iv or im. I hope this helps.

[sairin8]

In NZ, we mostly have the effervescent form. Just dissolve in water and drink