Coloprep

Uses

Potassium is a medication used to treat hypokalemic conditions and to clear the colon prior to colonoscopy.

General uses of potassium

Potassium is indicated to treat a variety of conditions. Firstly, it used to replenish potassium that has been depleted by conditions including but not limited to malabsorption, decreased intake, or excess sodium intake. The causes of potassium deficiency are numerous. The following indications for potassium are not comprehensive, but include the main indications for which this nutrient is used. Various products and preparations contain potassium.

Potassium chloride

Potassium chloride is one of the main preparations of potassium used in a clinical setting. The oral solution is indicated for the prevention and treatment of hypokalemia presenting with or without metabolic alkalosis, in patients who have failed conservative management with potassium-rich foods or diuretic dose titrations. The injection form of potassium chloride is indicated to replenish potassium in patients who are not feasible candidates for oral potassium. Highly concentrated potassium is intended for the treatment of potassium deficiency in fluid restricted individuals who cannot tolerate fluid volumes normally associated with injected potassium solutions that contain lower concentrations. Finally, the extended-release tablet preparation of potassium chloride is used to treat hypokalemia with or without metabolic alkalosis, to treat digitalis intoxication, and to manage patients with hypokalemic familial periodic paralysis. It is also used in the prevention of hypokalemia in those who are at a high risk of negative clinical outcomes if hypokalemia occurs; patients on digitalis or those with cardiac arrhythmias would be at particular risk of negative outcomes.

Potassium chloride with dextrose and sodium chloride

This liquid preparation is is indicated in a clinical setting as a source of water, calories and electrolytes. Potassium acetate solution is meant as an alternative to potassium chloride, replenishing potassium and added to large volume infusion fluids for intravenous injection.

Potassium citrate

The potassium citrate preparation is used for the management of renal tubular acidosis (RTA) with calcium stones (nephrolithiasis); calcium oxalate stones by any cause, and uric acid nephrolithiasis (with or without calcium stones). This regimen also includes adequate water intake (leading to a urine out put of 2 L/day or more) and sodium restriction.

Sodium Chloride Nasal Drops is used for dry nasal membranes including dry nose resulting from cold and allergy medications. It moistens dry nasal passages from dry climates or from airplane travel, may help dissolve mucus from study noses and clears the nose after surgery. This sterile saline solution is also used to cleanse various parts of the body (wounds, body cavities) and medical equipment (e.g., bandages, catheters, drainage tubes). It is also used as a mixing solution (diluent) for other medications used to irrigate the body (e.g., bacitracin, polymyxin).

Coloprep is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Caloric Intake, Electrolyte and fluid balance conditions, Hydration, Hypokalemia, PotassiumAllergic Rhinitis (AR), Corneal Edema, Dehydration, Dehydration Hypertonic, Fluid Loss, Hemodilution, Hypertension Intracranial, Hypokalemia, Hyponatremia, Hypotonic Dehydration, Hypovolaemia, Increased Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP), Inflammation of the Nasal Mucosa, Isotonic Dehydration, Metabolic Acidosis, Nasal Congestion, Nasal irritation, Oliguria caused by Acute Renal Failure (ARF), Potassium deficiency, Sinusitis, Skin Irritation, Sodium Depletion, Dryness of the nose, Hypochloremic state, Mild Metabolic acidosis, Mild, moderate Metabolic Acidosis, Electrolyte replacement, Fluid replacement therapy, Heart-Lung-Machine, Oral rehydration therapy, Parenteral Nutrition, Parenteral rehydration therapy, Peritoneal dialysis therapy, Plasma Volume Replacement, Regional Citrate Anticoagulation (RCA), Renal Replacement Therapies, Urine alkalinization therapy, Wound irrigation therapy, Ear wax removal, Fluid and electrolyte maintenance therapy, Increased renal excretion of toxic substances, Maintenance source of fluid and electrolytes, Parenteral drug administration, Reducing brain mass

How Coloprep works

Potassium ion is the primary intracellular cation found in virtually all body tissues. The total amount of body potassium in adults is estimated at 45 millimole (mmol)/kg body weight (about 140 g for an adult weighing 175 pounds; 1 mmol = 1 milliequivalent or 39.1 mg of potassium). Potassium mainly stays in cells, and a small amount can be found in the extracellular fluid. The amount of potassium that stays in the cell (intracellular) is 30 times that of extracellular concentration, creating a transmembrane gradient, regulated by the sodium-potassium (Na+/K+) ATPase transporter. This is an important gradient for nerve conduction, muscle contractions, and renal function. Vomiting, diarrhea, renal disease, medications, and other conditions that alter potassium excretion or shift it inside or outside of cells. In healthy patients individuals with normal renal function, markedly high or low potassium levels are rare.

Effect on blood pressure

Potassium decreases reduces intravascular volume, by reducing sodium reabsorption through an increase in urinary sodium excretion. This short-term effect, however, does not explain the long-term effects of potassium on blood pressure. Increased plasma potassium levels that occur through intake are associated with vasodilation occurring via stimulation of the sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase pump (Na+/-K+ATPase) and opening of potassium channels of the sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase pump. Other possible mechanisms of action for potassium may include alterations in barroreflex sensitivity and hormone sensitivity in vascular smooth muscle and cells of the sympathetic nervous system.

Effect on electrolyte balance and body systems

The potassium gradient across the membrane of a cell regulates cell membrane potential, maintained predominantly by the sodium-potassium (Na+/-K+ ATPase pump). Transmembrane electro-chemical gradients encourage diffusion of Na+ extracellularly and K+ intracellularly. Potassium supplementation prevents hypokalemia to maintain this balance and is often used in an oral solution or injection form in the clinical setting, preventing harmful effects such as arrhythmias, abnormal muscle function, and neurological disturbances. When activated, the Na+/-K+ ATPase pump exchanges two extracellular K+ ions for three intracellular sodium (Na+) ions, impacting membrane potential via either excitation or inhibition. This is especially important in the homeostasis of the nervous system, kidney, and cardiac muscle tissue. The body and cell distributions of potassium in normal conditions are known as internal and external balance, respectively. Reduced serum potassium (or imbalance) increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmia, heart failure and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).

Sodium and chloride — major electrolytes of the fluid compartment outside of cells (i.e., extracellular) — work together to control extracellular volume and blood pressure. Disturbances in sodium concentrations in the extracellular fluid are associated with disorders of water balance.

Dosage

Coloprep dosage

Infants, children & adults: 2-6 drops into each nostril as needed daily

Use in Children: Safe for pediatrics

Side Effects

No side Effects are expected to occur. However stinging, sneezing, increased nasal discharge, or salty taste may occur in some cases.

Toxicity

The oral LD50 of potassium chloride in rats is 2600 mg/kg.

Overdose information

An overdose of potassium may result in hyperkalemia, and in some cases, death due to various causes. Signs and symptoms of an overdose of potassium are mainly cardiovascular, neurological and musculoskeletal in nature. Arrhythmia, changes in cardiac conduction, including astystole, bradycardia, heart block, ventral fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia may occur. In addition, hypotension may also occur along with cardiac ECG changes. Muscular weakness and respiratory muscle paralysis may occur, in addition to paresthesia. In case of an overdose, discontinue potassium administration, reduce the dose, and monitor fluid levels and electrolyte concentrations in addition to acid-base balance. Corrective therapy, such as insulin administration or potassium binding drugs, may be required. Offer supportive care and resuscitation as deemed necessary.

Important note regarding hyperkalemia

Normally, hyperkalemia is asymptomatic and only detected by laboratory testing (at values of 6.5-8.0 mEq/L) and ECG changes (peaked T- waves, lost P-waves, ST depression, and a prolonged QT interval). Muscle paralysis and cardiac arrest may occur in the advanced stages of hyperkalemia, at potassium concentrations of 9-12 mEq/L.

The rare inadvertent intravascular administration or rapid intravascular absorption of hypertonic sodium chloride can cause a shift of tissue fluids into the vascular bed, resulting in hypervolemia, electrolyte disturbances, circulatory failure, pulmonary embolism, or augmented hypertension.

Volume of Distribution

Potassium is present in almost all body tissues. Approximately 98% of potassium is maintained intracellularly in muscular tissue, the liver, and red blood cells. The remainder is distributed extracellularly.

The volume of distribution is 0.64 L/kg.

Elimination Route

When taken orally from a dietary source, potassium is mainly absorbed via passive diffusion in the small intestine. Approximately 90% of potassium is absorbed, and maintains concentrations both inside and outside cells. The kidneys can adapt to variable potassium intake in healthy individuals, but a minimum of 5 mmol (about 195 mg) dietary potassium is measured to be excreted in the urine.

Some studies have measured the absorption various forms of potassium from dietary supplements. Results from a clinical trial in 2016 showed that potassium gluconate supplements are 94% absorbed, which is similar to the absorption rate from potatoes. An older study advised that liquid forms of potassium are absorbed a few hours post-administration. Enteric coated tablets of potassium chloride are not absorbed as rapidly as liquid forms, due to their delayed release design.

Absorption of sodium in the small intestine plays an important role in the absorption of chloride, amino acids, glucose, and water. Chloride, in the form of hydrochloric acid (HCl), is also an important component of gastric juice, which aids the digestion and absorption of many nutrients.

Half Life

In one clinical study, the apparent half-life of oral potassium was between 1.6 and 14 hours. A radio tracer study determined that the biological half-life of radiolabeled potassium ranges from 10 to 28 days.

17 minutes

Clearance

Potassium is freely filtered in the kidney with most of an ingested amount being reabsorbed into the circulation (70%–80%) by the proximal tubule and loop of Henle. Secretion of potassium by the distal nephron in the kidney varies and dependent on the intracellular potassium concentration, luminal potassium concentration concentration, in addition to cellular permeability.

Elimination Route

Potassium is excreted primarily in the urine, excreted in small amounts in the stool, and negligibly in perspiration (sweat). The renal system regulates potassium excretion according to dietary intake. Potassium excretion rises quickly in healthy patients after ingestion unless body stores have been depleted. Potassium undergoes glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, and distal tubular secretion. Renal clearance of potassium shifts between net tubular secretion and reabsorption, depending on the clinical circumstances.

Substantially excreted by the kidneys.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult with your doctor before breast-feeding.

Contraindication

Tell your doctor about your medical history, especially of heart problems (e.g., congestive heart failure), lung problems (pulmonary edema), kidney problems, low levels of potassium (hypokalemia), high levels of sodium (hypernatremia), and any allergies.

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