Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Fresenius Kabi Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride IV Infusion. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride IV Infusion against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
This medicine is likely to be used while you are at a clinic or in hospital, and will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride Intravenous Infusion is used for
A combination of potassium chloride and sodium chloride salts in an infusion is intended for maintenance and replacement of body fluid.
It can be used alone or in combination with an injectable nutrient supplement in patients who are unable to take fluids and nutrients by mouth.
An optimum level of salts in circulation, such as potassium and sodium, etc, is essential for life and good health.
Disorders of potassium levels in the circulation may affect transmission of nerve impulses in various organs such as heart, muscle and gastrointestinal muscles.
Thus, the Sodium Chloride and Potassium Chloride IV Infusion is used for replenishing fluid in the treatment of patients who need restoring and maintaining of fluid and salt in the system.
Before you are given Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride Intravenous Infusion
When you must not be given it
Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride Solution IV Infusion must not be given if you have:
- documented hyperkalaemia, hyperchloremia or hypernatremia.
- potassium retention or high potassium levels in the blood
- heart disease
- kidney problems
- increased acidity in the blood
- haemolysis
- adrenal gland problems (eg. Addison’s disease)
Before you start to be given it
Tell the doctor if you:
- have ischaemic heart disease
- are an alcoholic
- have any other illness
- are taking any prescription medicine, in particular corticosteroids (such as, prednisone and prednisolone) or even non-prescription medicines.
- are pregnant
- are breast feeding
Talk to the doctor or pharmacist, if you have any concerns about being given Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride IV Infusion.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
How Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride Intravenous Infusion is given
How much is given
Your doctor will decide how much Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride IV infusion will be given to you, which depends on your need and condition.
The medicine is a dripped injection; therefore it should be given by using special equipment and attended by a health professional (doctor, trained nurse).
How is it given
Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride IV infusion will be given at a slow rate of injection (drip) by your health professional.
Usually, you will need to stay in a health institution (hospital, nursing home, etc) but in some cases at home, as it requires a special medical equipment to deliver the medicine into your circulation. This delivery should be attended by a health professional. The needle is normally placed in a large vein either on a central or peripheral blood vessel. Your doctor knows which of your large veins to use.
The minimum time for an infusion is 1 hour, whilst the maximum time over which an infusion may occur is 12 hours for the 100mL solutions, and 24 hours for the 1000mL products.
High dose or high speed infusion must be performed under continuous ECG monitoring.
If you are given too much (overdose).
The doctor or nurse injecting you with the Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride IV infusion has had experience in the use of this sort of medicine, so it is unlikely that you will be given an overdose. However, in case of an overdose, your health provider will take an appropriate action.
While you are given Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride IV Infusion
Things you must do
Follow all instructions given by the doctor.
Discuss with your doctor the progress you have experienced after the treatment, whether any Complication has occurred, especially during the first few days of therapy. Frequent clinical evaluation and laboratory tests may be required.
As Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride IV Infusion is normally given in a hospital, your nurse provider will take records of the progress and unexpected reactions.
Side Effects
As with any medicine, some side effects may occur. Some patients may have undesirable side effects, such as, fever response.
No serious abnormality has ever been reported with Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride IV Infusion, but there is a chance of unintentional hospital acquired infections. As with all other preparations similar to this product, inflammation of the veins on the site of injection may occur.
Always tell your doctor if you have any unpleasant effects after receiving Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride IV Infusion.
If any of the following happen, that is, swelling of the face, lips, mouth or difficulty in breathing, tell your health professionals on duty immediately. They are symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, known as “anaphylactic shock” in medical terminology. Then, he/she will take an appropriate action promptly, such as to abort the injection.
After being given Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride IV Infusion
Storage
Exposure to the heat should be minimised. Avoid excessive heat. It is recommended that the product be stored below 25°C. Do not freeze.
Hospital staff will make sure the medicine is not used after the expiry date printed on the infusion bag or the infusion bottle.
Product Description
What it looks like
Fresenius Kabi’s Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride medicine is a clear colourless solution for injection for intravenous infusion.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride IV Infusion are potassium chloride and sodium chloride. It is in water for injections.
Each bottle contains:
- Potassium chloride 10 mmol in Sodium chloride 0.9% 500 mL injection for intravenous infusion
- Potassium chloride 20 mmol in Sodium chloride 0.9% 500 mL injection for intravenous infusion
- Potassium chloride 20 mmol in Sodium chloride 0.9% 1000 mL injection for intravenous infusion
- Potassium chloride 40 mmol in Sodium chloride 0.9% 1000 mL injection for intravenous infusion
Other ingredients are:
- water for injections
- hydrochloric acid/sodium hydroxide
Supplier
Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride IV Infusion is supplied in Australia by:
Fresenius Kabi Australia Pty Limited,
Level 2, 2 Woodland Way
Mount Kuring-gai NSW 2080
Australia
Telephone: (02) 9391 5555
Potassium Chloride in Sodium Chloride IV Infusion is supplied in New Zealand by:
Fresenius Kabi New Zealand Limited,
60 Pavilion Drive
Airport Oaks, Auckland 2022
New Zealand
Freecall: 0800 144 892
Australian Registration Number
AUST R 296132 (10mmol 500mL)
AUST R 296133 (20mmol 500mL)
AUST R 296131(20mmol 1000mL)
AUST R296130 (40mmol 1000mL)
® = Registered Trademark
This leaflet was prepared in: 18th January 2019
Published by MIMS March 2019