PRECAUTIONS
Clinical evaluation and periodic laboratory determinations are necessary to monitor changes in fluid balance, electrolyte concentrations, and acid base balance during prolonged parenteral therapy or whenever the condition of the patient warrants such evaluation.
Potassium Chloride in Lactated Ringer's and 5% Dextrose Injection, USP should be used with caution. Excess administration may result in metabolic alkalosis.
Caution must be exercised in the administration of Potassium Chloride in Lactated Ringer's and 5% Dextrose Injection, USP to patients receiving corticosteroids or corticotropin.
Potassium Chloride in Lactated Ringer's and 5% Dextrose Injection, USP should be used with caution in patients with overt or subclinical diabetes mellitus.
Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects
Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted
with Potassium Chloride in Lactated Ringer's and 5% Dextrose Injection, USP.
It is also not known whether Potassium Chloride in Lactated Ringer's and 5%
Dextrose Injection, USP can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant
woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Potassium Chloride in Lactated Ringer's
and 5% Dextrose Injection, USP should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly
needed.
Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness of Potassium Chloride in Lactated
Ringer's and 5% Dextrose Injection, USP in pediatric patients have not been
established by adequate and well-controlled studies. However, the use of potassium
chloride injection in pediatric patients to treat potassium deficiency states
when oral replacement therapy is not feasible is referenced in the medical literature.
Dextrose is safe and effective for the stated indications in pediatric patients
(see INDICATIONS). As reported in the literature, the dosage selection
and constant infusion rate of intravenous dextrose must be selected with caution
in pediatric patients, particularly neonates and low birth weight infants, because
of the increased risk of hyperglycemia/hypoglycemia. Frequent monitoring of
serum glucose concentrations is required when dextrose is prescribed to pediatric
patients, particularly neonates and low birth weight infants.
Geriatric Use: Clinical studies of Potassium Chloride in Lactated Ringer's
and 5% Dextrose Injection, USP did not include sufficient numbers of subjects
aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger
subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences
in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection
for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of
the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal,
or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or drug therapy.
For patients receiving potassium supplement at greater than maintenance rates, frequent monitoring of serum potassium levels and serial EKGs are recommended.
This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function.
Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, impairment of fertility
Studies with Potassium Chloride in Lactated Ringer's and 5% Dextrose Injection, USP have not been performed to evaluate carcinogenic potential, mutagenic potential or effects on fertility.
Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Potassium Chloride in Lactated Ringer's and 5% Dextrose Injection, USP is administered to a nursing mother.
Do not administer unless solution is clear and seal is intact.