Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet?
This leaflet answers some common questions about Potassium Chloride in Glucose 5 % Intravenous (IV) Infusion. It does not contain all of the available information.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has prescribed Potassium Chloride in Glucose IV Infusion for you in the knowledge that the benefits outweigh any possible risks. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
If you have any concerns about receiving this medicine, ask your health care professional.
What Potassium Chloride in Glucose IV Infusion is used for
Potassium Chloride in Glucose IV Infusion is used to replace and maintain body fluid and mineral salts such as potassium chloride that may be lost for a variety of medical reasons. Potassium Chloride in Glucose IV Infusion is especially suitable when the losses result in depletion of the body’s stores of potassium. Glucose is used by the body as a source of energy.
Before you are given the Potassium Chloride in Glucose IV Infusion
Potassium Chloride in Glucose IV Infusion should not be given to you if you have:
- had an allergic reaction to corn or corn products (as glucose is produced from cornstarch). Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, peeling of the skin, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, which may cause difficulty swallowing or shortness of breath.
- already too much glucose in your blood that is not being corrected with medication
- congestive heart failure (constant wheezing, shortness of breath)
- had a stroke
- you have liver disease or
- severe kidney problems (not passing urine)
- untreated Addison’s disease
- severe burns across your body
Also, the product should not be used if the expiry date printed on the bottom of the bag has passed, or if the packaging is torn or shows any signs of tampering.
You must tell your doctor if you:
- have heart disease including congestive heart failure, or are taking the heart medicine digoxin
- have liver or kidney disease
- are a diabetic
- are taking other medicines including anything those you can buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop
- are pregnant
- are breast-feeding
How Potassium Chloride in Glucose IV Infusion is given
How much is given:
Your doctor will decide how much Potassium Chloride and Glucose IV infusion will be given to you, which depends on your needs and medical condition. The medicine is given by a ‘drip’ injection, therefore it is given using special equipment and attended by a health professional (eg. doctor, trained nurse).
How it is given:
Potassium Chloride and Glucose IV infusion will be given at a slow rate by your health professional. Usually, you will need to stay in a health institution (hospital, clinic, nursing home, etc.) as special medical equipment is required to deliver the medicine into your bloodstream. This delivery should be attended by a health professional. A cannula (administration needle) is normally placed in a large vein either on a central (chest) or peripheral (eg. arm) blood vessel by your doctor or nurse.
The infusion is to be used once only. Any unused portion must be discarded and not used later, either for you or anyone else.
In Case of overdose
The doctor or nurse giving you the Potassium Chloride and Glucose IV Infusion has experience in the use of this medicine, so it is unlikely that you will be given an overdose. However, in the unlikely event of an overdose, the infusion will be stopped and other treatments may be needed. You may experience some of the effects listed under “Side Effects” below.
While you are receiving Potassium Chloride in Glucose IV Infusion
Discuss with your doctor the progress you have experienced after the treatment, and whether anything is worrying you, especially during the first few days of therapy. Frequent clinical evaluation and laboratory tests may be required. As Potassium Chloride and Glucose IV Infusion is normally given in a hospital, your nurse provider will take records of your progress and any unexpected effects you may experience.
Side effect
As with any medicines, some side effects may occur. Some patients may have undesirable and transient side effects such as swelling of the hands, ankles and feet due to retention fluid in your body. However in rare circumstances, more serious side effects such as fluid retention involving the lungs, causing breathing difficulty and retention of excess potassium may occur. The symptoms of excess potassium include tingling or numbness of hands or feet, muscle weakness, slow or irregular heart beat, nausea, vomiting or confusion. If your experience these serious symptoms, or possible signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tell your health professional on duty immediately.
As with other medicines similar to Potassium Chloride in Glucose IV, inflammation or swelling of the veins at the site of injection, or swelling of your veins is also possible. Always tell your doctor or nurse if you have any unexpected effects during or after receiving Potassium Chloride and Glucose IV Infusion and they worry you.
Product description
What Potassium Chloride in Glucose IV Infusion looks like
It is a clear colourless or slightly yellow solution packaged in plastic bags.
What is in Potassium Chloride & Glucose IV Infusion
The active components are potassium chloride and glucose.
They are formulated and dissolved in 1000mL of water for injection.
The bag pack sizes are included in the table below:
AHB1134 Potassium Chloride (0.15%) Glucose (5%) – AUST R 19465, 1000mL
AHB1174 Potassium Chloride (0.224%) Glucose (5%) – AUST R 19469, 1000mL
How to store Potassium Chloride Glucose IV Infusion
Potassium Chloride and Glucose IV Infusion should be stored below 30°C. Do not expose to excessive heat.
Where can you get more information?
You can get more information from your doctor or pharmacist.
Name and address of the manufacturer (sponsor)
Baxter Healthcare Pty Ltd,
1 Baxter Drive,
Old Toongabbie NSW 2146
www.baxterhealthcare.com.au
Date of preparation: January 2014
88-19-01-075
Published by MIMS November 2019