Potassium Chloride and Gastrointestinal Injury
Authors: JAMIE S. BARKIN
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1983)

Letters and Corrections1 February 1983Potassium Chloride and Gastrointestinal InjuryJAMIE S. BARKIN, M.D., ALBERT M. HARARY, M.D., COOPER E. SHAMBLEN, PH.D., KENNETH C. LASSETER, M.D.JAMIE S. BARKIN, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, ALBERT M. HARARY, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, COOPER E. SHAMBLEN, PH.D.Search for more papers by this author, KENNETH C. LASSETER, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-98-2-261_2 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: Tablet formations of potassium chloride (KC1) are in wide clinical use, usually in the form of a waxmatrix slow-release tablet. The previously used enteric-coated tablet was withdrawn in 1965 because of numerous reports of intestinal hemorrhage, ulceration, obstruction, and death. The wax-matrix tablets are considered safe, but there have been reports of gastrointestinal ulceration, hemorrhage, obstruction, and perforations (1-3), especially when there was a delay in gut transit. Recently a microencapsulated KC1 preparation has been introduced that does not use a wax matrix. Instead, polymer-coated KC1 crystals are mixed with a dispersing agent that disperses the crystals...References1. FARQUHARSON-ROBERTSGIDDINGSNUNN MAA. Perforation of small bowel due to slow-release potassium chloride (Slow-K). Br Med J. 1975;3:206. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. MCMAHONAKDAMAR FK. Gastric ulcerations after Slow-K. N Engl J Med. 1976;295:733-4. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. LUBBECADOGANKANNEMEYER WEA. Oesophageal ulceration due to slow-release potassium in the presence of left atrial enlargement. NZ Med J. 1979;90:377-9. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. Potassium supplements. Med Letter. 1981;23:3-4. Google Scholar5. MCMAHONRYANAKDAMARERTAN FJKA. Upper gastrointestinal lesions after potassium chloride supplements: a controlled clinical trial. Lancet. In press. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: University of Miami Miami FL 33101 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byPreclinical Assessment of Gastrooesophageal Tolerance of the New Antiosteoporotic Drug Strontium Ranelate: An Endoscopic Study in MonkeysEffect of potassium-magnesium citrate on upper gastrointestinal mucosaA Comparison of Wax Matrix and Microencapsulated Potassium Chloride in Relation to Upper Gastrointestinal Illness Requiring HospitalizationMiscellaneous Gastroduodenal PathologyBioavailability of Potassium From Three Dosage Forms: Suspension, Capsule, and SolutionGastrointestinal Mucosal LesionsEvaluation of the Ulcerogenic Effect of Potassium Chloride by Endoscopy and Fecal Blood LossCurrent Approaches to Management of Potassium DeficiencyLiquid and Solid Potassium Chloride: Bioavailability and SafetyMiscellaneous drugsDYSPLASTIC NAEVI AND CUTANEOUS MELANOMA RISKENDOSCOPIC COMPARISON OF SOLID AND LIQUID POTASSIUM CHLORIDE SUPPLEMENTS 1 February 1983Volume 98, Issue 2Page: 261-262KeywordsHemorrhagePotassium chlorideUlcers Issue Published: 1 February 1983 PDF downloadLoading ...