Version July 2025
Dosage guidance:
Dosing: Doses listed as mEq of potassium. 1,000 mg of potassium gluconate = 4.3 mEq potassium; 1 mEq potassium = 39 mg elemental potassium
Dosage form information: Product is only available in solid dosage forms; only use in patients able to swallow whole tablets.
Normal daily requirement: Limited data available: Children and Adolescents: Oral: 1 to 2 mEq/kg/day (Ref).
Hypokalemia, prevention for ongoing drug losses (eg, concurrent diuretic therapy): Limited data available: Children and Adolescents: Oral: 1 to 2 mEq/kg/day in 1 to 2 divided doses; should not exceed usual adult single dose: 20 mEq/dose; some patients may require a single dose up to 40 mEq/dose (Ref); some patients may require higher individual daily doses based on lab values and ongoing losses; dosing based on experience using KCl salt for potassium replacement.
Hypokalemia, treatment; mild to moderate: Limited data available: Children and Adolescents: Oral: 2 to 5 mEq/kg/day in divided doses; not to exceed 1 to 2 mEq/kg as a single dose or 20 mEq (whichever is less) (Ref); if deficits are severe or ongoing losses are great, IV potassium should be considered the preferred route of administration.
Children and Adolescents: Oral: There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling. With other potassium salts for management of hypokalemia, it is recommended to initiate therapy at the low end of the dosing range, particularly if on other medications known to increase potassium levels; monitor potassium concentration frequently.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.
(For additional information see "Potassium gluconate: Drug information")
Dietary supplement: OTC labeling: Oral: One capsule/tablet daily.
Hypokalemia (mild to moderate), treatment (alternative agent) (off-label use):
Note: All doses in this monograph are expressed as mEq of potassium (1 mEq = 1 mmol potassium). Typically, potassium chloride is preferred because it corrects serum potassium concentrations more quickly than other salts and hypochloremia may develop with potassium gluconate use (Ref). Individualize dosing based on serum potassium levels and clinical factors (eg, underlying cause, presence of symptoms, concomitant medications, ongoing potassium losses). Concurrent hypomagnesemia requires correction to facilitate potassium repletion (Ref). General guidance is provided below; refer to institutional protocols.
Mild to moderate (serum potassium 3 to 3.4 mEq/L): Oral: Initial: 10 to 20 mEq 2 to 4 times daily; base subsequent dosing on serum potassium monitoring (Ref).
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling. If using for treatment of hypokalemia, initiate therapy at the low end of the dosing range, particularly if on other medications known to increase potassium levels; monitor potassium level frequently.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.
There are no adverse reactions listed in the manufacturer's labeling.
Hyperkalemia
Concerns related to adverse effects:
• GI effects: May cause GI upset (eg, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, discomfort) and lead to GI ulceration, bleeding, perforation and/or obstruction. Oral liquid preparations (not solid), if available, should be used in patients with esophageal compression or delayed gastric emptying.
• Hyperkalemia: Close monitoring of serum potassium concentrations is needed to avoid hyperkalemia; severe hyperkalemia may lead to muscle weakness/paralysis and cardiac conduction abnormalities (eg, heart block, ventricular arrhythmias, asystole).
Disease-related concerns:
• Acid/Base disorders: Use with caution in patients with acid/base alterations; changes in serum potassium concentrations can occur during acid/base correction, monitor closely.
• Cardiovascular disease: Use with caution in patients with cardiovascular disease (eg, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias); patients may be more susceptible to life-threatening cardiac effects associated with hyper/hypokalemia.
• Potassium-altering conditions/disorders: Use with caution in patients with disorders or conditions likely to contribute to altered serum potassium and hyperkalemia (eg, untreated Addison's disease, heat cramps, severe tissue breakdown from trauma or burns).
• Renal impairment: Use with caution in patients with renal impairment; monitor serum potassium concentrations closely.
Concurrent drug therapy issues:
• Digitalis: Use with caution in digitalized patients; may be more susceptible to potentially life-threatening cardiac effects with rapid changes in serum potassium concentrations.
• Potassium-altering therapies: Use with caution in patients receiving concomitant medications or therapies that increase potassium (eg, ACEI, potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium containing salt substitutes).
1 g potassium gluconate = elemental potassium 167 mg = potassium 4.3 mEq = potassium 4.3 mmol
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Capsule, Oral [preservative free]:
K-99: 595 mg [dye free, sugar free, yeast free]
Tablet, Oral:
Generic: 2 mEq, 2.5 mEq
Tablet, Oral [strength expressed as base]:
Generic: 80 mg
Yes
Tablets (Potassium Gluconate Oral)
2 mEq (per each): $0.06
2.5 mEq (per each): $0.04
Disclaimer: A representative AWP (Average Wholesale Price) price or price range is provided as reference price only. A range is provided when more than one manufacturer's AWP price is available and uses the low and high price reported by the manufacturers to determine the range. The pricing data should be used for benchmarking purposes only, and as such should not be used alone to set or adjudicate any prices for reimbursement or purchasing functions or considered to be an exact price for a single product and/or manufacturer. Medi-Span expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind or nature, whether express or implied, and assumes no liability with respect to accuracy of price or price range data published in its solutions. In no event shall Medi-Span be liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of price or price range data. Pricing data is updated monthly.
Oral: Capsule, Tablet: Administer with food.
Oral: Administer with a meal.
Store at room temperature.
Dietary supplement of potassium (Dietary supplement/OTC: FDA approved in adults); has also been used for the treatment of hypokalemia
None known.
Note: Interacting drugs may not be individually listed below if they are part of a group interaction (eg, individual drugs within “CYP3A4 Inducers [Strong]” are NOT listed). For a complete list of drug interactions by individual drug name and detailed management recommendations, use the drug interactions program by clicking on the “Launch drug interactions program” link above.
Note: Interacting drugs may not be individually listed below if they are part of a group interaction (eg, individual drugs within “CYP3A4 Inducers [Strong]” are NOT listed). For a complete list of drug interactions by individual drug name and detailed management recommendations, use the drug interactions program
Aliskiren: Potassium Salts may increase hyperkalemic effects of Aliskiren. Risk C: Monitor
AMILoride: Potassium Salts may increase hyperkalemic effects of AMILoride. Management: Amiloride and potassium supplements should not be used except in severe or refractory cases of hypokalemia. If coadministered, monitor serum potassium closely as rapid increases in potassium are possible. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers: Potassium Salts may increase hyperkalemic effects of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers. Risk C: Monitor
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors: Potassium Salts may increase hyperkalemic effects of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors. Risk C: Monitor
CycloSPORINE (Systemic): May increase hyperkalemic effects of Potassium Salts. Risk C: Monitor
Digitoxin: Potassium Salts may increase adverse/toxic effects of Digitoxin. Potassium Salts may decrease therapeutic effects of Digitoxin. Risk C: Monitor
Drospirenone-Containing Products: May increase hyperkalemic effects of Potassium Salts. Risk C: Monitor
Eplerenone: May increase hyperkalemic effects of Potassium Salts. Management: This combination is contraindicated in patients receiving eplerenone for treatment of hypertension. Potassium supplements may be needed to treat/prevent hypokalemia in select patients with heart failure receiving eplerenone and high dose loop diuretics. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Finerenone: Potassium Salts may increase hyperkalemic effects of Finerenone. Risk C: Monitor
Heparin: May increase hyperkalemic effects of Potassium Salts. Risk C: Monitor
Heparins (Low Molecular Weight): May increase hyperkalemic effects of Potassium Salts. Risk C: Monitor
Nicorandil: May increase hyperkalemic effects of Potassium Salts. Risk C: Monitor
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents: May increase hyperkalemic effects of Potassium Salts. Risk C: Monitor
Spironolactone: Potassium Salts may increase hyperkalemic effects of Spironolactone. Risk X: Avoid
Triamterene: Potassium Salts may increase hyperkalemic effects of Triamterene. Risk X: Avoid
Potassium requirements are the same in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Adverse events have not been observed following use of potassium supplements in healthy women with normal pregnancies. Use caution in pregnant women with other medical conditions (eg, preeclampsia; may be more likely to develop hyperkalemia) (IOM 2004).
Serum potassium, chloride, glucose, pH, urine output (if indicated)
Potassium, serum:
Neonates <7 days: 3.2 to 5.5 mmol/L (Greeley 1993; Kliegman 2020).
Neonates ≥7 to 30 days: 3.4 to 6 mmol/L (Greeley 1993; Kliegman 2020).
Infants <6 months: 3.5 to 5.6 mmol/L (Greeley 1993; Kliegman 2020).
Infants ≥6 months: 3.5 to 6.1 mmol/L (Greeley 1993; Kliegman 2020).
Children <6 years: 3.3 to 4.6 mmol/L (Adeli 2015; Greeley 1993; Kliegman 2020).
Children ≥6 years and Adolescents: 3.3 to 4.9 mmol/L (Adeli 2015; Greeley 1993; Kliegman 2020).
Potassium is the major cation of intracellular fluid and is essential for the conduction of nerve impulses in heart, brain, and skeletal muscle; contraction of cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscles; maintenance of normal renal function, acid-base balance, carbohydrate metabolism, and gastric secretion
Absorption: Well absorbed from upper GI tract
Distribution: Enters cells via active transport from extracellular fluid
Excretion: Primarily urine; skin and feces (small amounts); most intestinal potassium reabsorbed
