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.

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

I know we arent supposed to crush them, but you can dissolve them in water. Eat foots high in potassium. I dont know why those darn pills are so BIG. Dang, they are as big as horse pills. Ive had patients get choked on them. There is a liquid potassium also.

[TonyaM73, ASN, RN]

Liquid. It is great for those who can not swallow those giant pills. It tasts horrible, but if you put it in juice, it can cut the taste for them.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

comes in a powder or in a liquid too. Call the pharm to see if they will change the form.

[Faeriewand, ASN, RN]

Can they be cut in half? I've seen other nurses do that. I've also seen patients swallow the whole darn thing as if it were no big deal! LOL

[mindlor]

Can they be cut in half? I've seen other nurses do that. I've also seen patients swallow the whole darn thing as if it were no big deal! LOL

Pharm 101

A tab cannot be sectioned unless the manufaturer of the tab has prescored the tab for this purpose.

Trying to break a non-scored tab into smaller pieces will result in dosing errors as the distribution of the active ingredient cannot be predicted throughout the body of the tablet.

If a tablet is misused by attempting to section it when the manufacturer has not intended the tab to be used in this way this will be considered a med error......

Cheers :)

[CrazierThanYou]

Can they be cut in half? I've seen other nurses do that. I've also seen patients swallow the whole darn thing as if it were no big deal! LOL

I have a resident who takes potassium but it is a capsule. Can't be cut. Its also about 2 inches long!

[CoffeemateCNA]

My LTC gets potassium capsules, opens them, and empties the contents into applesauce for administration.

[NC29mom, ASN, LPN, RN]

they do make smaller kdur 10meq pills that may be easier to swallow whole. we put the large one in a plastic dosing cup, add water, then pour water off and let sit. the pills will dissolve. we then add pudding or applesauce and administer. the liquid is also a good alternative, it's orange and when added to oj isn't too bad. the only thing is you have to mix with at least 4oz of liquid (i think).

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I crush them, or cut them in half. It's not a med error if you give them the whole thing anyway. (Duh.)

[Acarter2618]

Thanks for all of your posts! I am wondering if the tablets are dissolved are they more rapidly absorbed? Do they cause GI problems ? Also any ideas on the expense of different pills. I work in a dementia unit and cost is a factor.

[Acarter2618]

Crushing these pills can be dangerous because they are more rapidly absorbed and can cause GI problems. It might not be a med errror but it isn't good for patients. The pills are huge and for a 90 lb 100 year old woman they are huge!