Both dietary and pharmaceutical supplements are used for people taking diuretic medications (see Causes , above). Severe hypokalemia (<3.0 mEq/L) may require intravenous supplementation. Typically, saline is used, with 20-40 mEq KCl per liter over 3-4 hours. Giving intravenous potassium at faster rates may predispose to ventricular tachycardia s and requires