PRECAUTIONS
General
These solutions should be used with care in patients with hypervolemia, renal
insufficiency, urinary tract obstruction, or impending or frank cardiac decompensation.
Extraordinary electrolyte losses such as may occur during protracted nasogastric
suction, vomiting, diarrhea or gastrointestinal fistula drainage may necessitate
additional electrolyte supplementation.
Additional essential electrolytes, minerals, and vitamins should be supplied
as needed.
Care should be exercised in administering solutions containing potassium to
patients with renal or cardiovascular insufficiency, with or without congestive
heart failure, particularly if they are postoperative or elderly.
Potassium therapy should be guided primarily by serial electrocardiograms,
especially in patients receiving digitalis. Serum potassium levels are not necessarily
indicative of tissue potassium levels.
Solutions containing potassium should be used with caution in the presence
of cardiac disease, particularly when accompanied by renal disease.
Solutions containing dextrose should be used with caution in patients with
overt or known subclinical diabetes mellitus, or carbohydrate intolerance for
any reason.
To minimize the risk of possible incompatibilities arising from mixing any
of these solutions with other additives that may be prescribed, the final infusate
should be inspected for cloudiness or precipitation immediately after mixing,
prior to administration, and periodically during administration.
Do not use plastic container in series connection.
If administration is controlled by a pumping device, care must be taken to
discontinue pumping action before the container runs dry or air embolism may
result.
These solutions are intended for intravenous administration using sterile equipment.
It is recommended that intravenous administration apparatus be replaced at least
once every 24 hours.
Use only if solution is clear and container and seals are intact.
Laboratory Tests
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. Significant deviations from normal concentrations
may require tailoring of the electrolyte pattern, in these or alternative solutions.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Studies with Potassium Chloride in 5% Dextrose Injections USP (potassium chloride in 5% dextrose injection) have not been
performed to evaluate carcinogenic potential, mutagenic potential, or effects
on fertility.
Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects
Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with
Potassium Chloride in 5% Dextrose Injections USP. It is also not known whether
Potassium Chloride in 5% Dextrose Injections USP (potassium chloride in 5% dextrose injection) can cause fetal harm when administered
to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Potassium Chloride
in 5% Dextrose Injections USP should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly
needed.
Labor and Delivery
The effects Potassium Chloride in Dextrose Injections USP on the duration of
labor or delivery, on the possibility that forceps delivery or other intervention
or resuscitation of the newborn will be necessary, and on the later growth,
development, and functional maturation of the child are unknown.
As reported in the literature, potassium containing solutions have been administered
during labor and delivery. Caution should be exercised, and the fluid balance,
glucose and electrolyte concentrations, and acid-base balance, of both mother
and fetus should be evaluated periodically or whenever warranted by the condition
of the patient or fetus.
Nursing Mothers
It is not know whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs
are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Potassium Chloride
in 5% Dextrose Injections USP are administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of Potassium Chloride in 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.
For patients receiving potassium supplement at greater than maintenance rates,
frequent monitoring of serum potassium levels and serial EKGs are recommended.
Dextrose is safe and effective for the stated indications in pediatric patients
(see INDICATIONS AND USAGE). 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
In neonates or in very small infants even small volumes of fluid may affect
fluid and electrolyte balance. Care must be exercised in treatment of neonates,
especially pre-term neonates, whose renal function may be immature and whose
ability to excrete fluid and solute loads may be limited. Fluid intake, urine
output, and serum electrolytes should be monitored closely.
See WARNINGS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.
Geriatric Use
Geriatric Use: Clinical studies of Potassium Chloride in 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 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 other drug therapy.
These drugs are known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk
of toxic reactions to these drugs 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.
See WARNINGS.