K-Lyte Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

K-Lyte Tablet contains potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate, which belong to the minerals and electrolytes drug class. It is a mineral supplement used to treat or prevent low potassium levels in the blood. It helps support normal heart rhythm, muscle and nerve function, and fluid and electrolyte balance in the body.

What is K-Lyte Tablet

K-Lyte Tablet is a mineral supplement used to treat or prevent low amounts of potassium in the blood.

K-Lyte Tablet uses

• Treatment or prevention of low potassium levels in the blood
• Potassium depletion due to use of thiazide diuretics or corticosteroid hormones
• Other conditions as directed by a physician

Benefits of K-Lyte Tablet

• Helps prevent and treat low potassium levels (hypokalemia).
• Replaces potassium lost through diuretics ("water pills"), vomiting, diarrhea, or certain illnesses.
• Supports normal heart rhythm and heart function.
• Helps maintain healthy muscle and nerve function.
• Supports normal fluid and electrolyte balance in the body.
• Effervescent formulations dissolve in water, providing a convenient way to replace potassium when prescribed.

How K-Lyte Tablet works

Potassium helps your cells, kidneys, heart, muscles, and nerves work properly. This medicine replaces potassium in the body when levels are too low.

K-Lyte Tablet dosage

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. Take each dose with a meal or just after a meal to prevent stomach upset. Do not chew the effervescent tablet or swallow it whole; it must be dissolved in water or fruit juice before you take it. After the tablets are fully dissolved, sip the liquid slowly over 5 to 10 minutes. If you have an upset stomach, mixing your dose in a larger amount of liquid may help. Avoid lying down for at least 30 minutes after you take this medication.

Take this medication regularly and at the same time each day to get the most benefit. Do not increase your dose or take it more often than prescribed. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it is near the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and do not double up. Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor.

Available forms and strengths

• Effervescent tablet

Side effects of K-Lyte Tablet

Common

• Mild nausea or upset stomach
• Mild or occasional diarrhea
• Slight tingling in your hands or feet
• Vomiting
• Gas

Serious

• Uneven heartbeat
• Muscle weakness or limp feeling
• Severe stomach pain
• Numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or mouth
• Confusion, anxiety, or feeling like you might pass out
• Extreme thirst, increased urination
• Leg discomfort
• Ongoing diarrhea or vomiting
• Black, bloody, or tarry stools
• Coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Warnings and precautions

• You should not use this medication if you have kidney failure, Addison's disease, severe burns or other tissue injury, if you are dehydrated, if you take certain diuretics, or if you have high levels of potassium in your blood.
• Do not chew the effervescent tablet or swallow it whole. It must be dissolved in water or fruit juice before you take it.
• Avoid lying down for at least 30 minutes after you take this medication.
• If you stop taking potassium suddenly, your condition may become worse.
• Consult your doctor before taking potassium supplements together with potassium-sparing diuretics, as this may cause higher than normal potassium levels in the blood.
• Before using other potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium, consult your doctor or pharmacist, as too much potassium may cause serious side effects.
• During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. 
• Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
• Potassium passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
• Consult your physician before use if you have impaired kidney function, as potassium supplements must be monitored closely in these patients.
• No major liver-specific restriction is usually required, but patients with significant liver disease should use potassium supplements under medical supervision.
• No known direct interaction with alcohol.
• Not expected to affect the ability to drive or operate machinery.

Storage

• Store at room temperature, according to the specific product label.
• Keep in a cool, dry place away from excessive heat.
• Protect tablets from moisture and direct sunlight.
• Keep tablets in the original, tightly closed container until use.
• Avoid storing in bathrooms or other hot and humid areas.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using this medication and call your doctor right away if you have confusion, anxiety, or feel like you might pass out; uneven heartbeat; extreme thirst or increased urination; leg discomfort; muscle weakness or a limp feeling; numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or around your mouth; severe stomach pain, ongoing diarrhea or vomiting; black, bloody, or tarry stools; or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
• Get medical help right away if you have very serious side effects including vomit that looks like coffee grounds, stomach or abdominal pain, or black or tarry stools.
• Get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including rash, itching or swelling especially of the face, tongue, or throat, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.
• If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, get emergency help right away. Otherwise, contact your local poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, and confusion.

Alternatives

• Slow-K
• K-Dur
• Klor-Con
• Micro-K
• Potassium Chloride Oral Solution