In medicine, many substances are used that are designed not only for her. An example of this is potassium chloride. This substance is actively used in various spheres of human activity. But in pharmacology, the potassium chloride salt has taken its important place.
Why is this substance so useful and dangerous? How and why is potassium chloride medicine used? Is it possible to appoint it yourself and what to do so that it is only for the benefit?
Substance properties
In appearance, these are crystals or odorless white powder. Outwardly, they look like ordinary table salt. They have a salty taste. This potassium salt is highly soluble in water and not soluble in alcohol. Does not ignite and does not explode. It can be transported both packaged and in bulk.
It is found in the minerals sylvine, sylvinite and carnallite in nature. It is mined on an industrial scale from ore.
Where is potassium chloride used?
The diverse properties of this salt make it possible to use it in different sectors of people's lives.
The bulk of the raw materials goes to the production of potash and complex fertilizers. Potassium salts make the root system better develop in plants, they absorb more nitrogen from the soil. At the same time, agricultural crops absorb less nitrates and radionuclides under the influence of this substance.
Actively used potassium chloride and the chemical industry. Various potassium compounds are obtained from it. Also, it is not replaceable in the manufacture of leather and rubber substitutes.
Food supplement E508 is also potassium chloride. It is added to foods to create the so-called low sodium salt. It is also used in cooking as a gelling agent. And to prevent bulk products from caking, it is added to their composition.
Also, potassium salt is used in glass, textile, cellulose and other industries, in photography and pyrotechnics.
In the United States, this substance carries out the death penalty by injection.
And of course, potassium chloride is widely used in medicine. It is about this later in the article.
Indications for use
Since potassium is an important trace element in the work of the human body, its lack can lead to serious diseases. Therefore, drugs have been developed that help to quickly fill its deficit.
The use of potassium chloride in medicine is associated with such diseases:
- Hypokalemia (low potassium in the body).
- Digital intoxication.
- Arrhythmias in myocardial infarction.
In the body, potassium is associated with metabolic processes. Therefore, its normal concentration in the blood contributes to the proper functioning of all muscles, including the heart. Its lack can lead to serious consequences. The fastest way it is absorbed by the body in the form of potassium salt. But its use should be precisely controlled by a doctor, since overdoses are possible.
Side effects
Even the use of drugs based on potassium chloride as prescribed by a doctor cannot guarantee their ideal tolerance. Many patients experience negative symptoms after taking this salt. The most common among them are:
- hyperkalemia
- arrhythmia;
- paresthesia;
- confusion of consciousness;
- heart block;
- lowering blood pressure;
- allergy.
If at least one of the symptoms appears, you should immediately consult a doctor for advice.
Release Forms
In the form of tablets and injections, potassium chloride is introduced into the body. Instructions for use for these types of drugs are slightly different. So, tablets give the active substance throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, they can not be taken if there are acute diseases of any of the digestive tract. Pills are prescribed more often to prevent negative consequences.
In liquid form, potassium chloride can be administered intravenously by stream or drop. But in any case, this is done slowly. Injection is used only in emergency cases.
Contraindications
The properties of potassium chloride make it possible to highlight a number of contraindications. It can not be used with a complete heart block, because it can cause it to stop.
Also, the substance is contraindicated in acute and chronic renal failure, since it is excreted in the urine. Defective kidney function can contribute to its accumulation and cause hyperkalemia.
An increased content of potassium in the blood also acts as a serious contraindication, since its concentration may increase, which will lead to an overdose of the substance.
Any metabolic disturbances can be aggravated if they are also loaded with potassium salt.
Pregnant women can be prescribed drugs only if their benefits significantly exceed the harm to the fetus. Lactation while taking potassium chloride should be stopped. Children under 18 years of age are also not prescribed drugs.
Overdose
If you take potassium chloride in tablets or injections uncontrollably, an overdose may occur. Its danger is that for a long time it can be asymptomatic, and only in the last stages does a violent reaction of the body manifest itself, which often leads to death. But if the following conditions appear on the background of taking potassium salt preparations, you need to urgently consult a doctor:
- increased muscle tone;
- arrhythmia;
- paresthesia;
- muscle paralysis.
All this is associated with the development of hyperkalemia in the body. The best help to the patient will be the introduction of sodium chloride into the body intravenously or through the digestive tract. The thing is that these substances are considered antagonists. Sodium contributes to the rapid elimination of potassium from the body. If the intoxication is too severe, the appointment of hemo- and peritonatal dialysis is possible.
Interaction with other medicines
Before you start taking any medications, you need to tell the doctor what other medicines you are taking at the moment. As the instructions for the use of potassium chloride say, it is contraindicated if the patient uses potassium-sparing diuretics, Cyclosporin, Heparin, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers. These drugs contribute to the development of hyperkalemia.
Antiarrhythmic drugs in combination with potassium preparations increase negative dromotropic and batmotropic efficacy.
If you take potassium salt along with cardiac glycosides, their tolerance improves.
Popular potassium salt preparations
Potassium chloride can be purchased in the form of tablets, powder, and injection solutions. The name of the drug is not patented, so it is produced by many pharmacological factories around the world. It is most often sold under the name Potassium Chloride or Potassium Chloride.
Some manufacturers add excipients to salt so that it is absorbed faster and more efficiently in the body. Therefore, if you purchase potassium chloride in ampoules for injections or droppers, carefully read the composition. Each medication has a common contraindication - intolerance to the components. Therefore, it is so important to always familiarize yourself with the annotation, so as not to harm yourself even more.
Here is a list of drugs that include this potassium salt:
- Glucosil;
- "Xylate";
- Lactosil
- Plerigo.
But remember that any medicine can be used only after the appointment of a doctor and clearly according to the scheme prescribed by them.
Alcohol interaction
We previously said that potassium salts are not soluble in alcohol. But this substance helps eliminate the negative effects of alcohol. In this case, potassium chloride is introduced into the body through droppers.
During the intake of strong drinks in the body, significant changes in the water-salt balance occur, the nervous system and muscles suffer. When the hangover syndrome occurs, the vessels narrow, the amount of water in the organs decreases, the muscle tone decreases. Everyone knows the symptoms of these disorders: headache, thirst and tremor of the extremities.
Adding potassium chloride to the dropper solution is advisable, since this substance helps to normalize the water-salt balance. In addition, we have previously mentioned the beneficial effects of this substance on the heart. Potassium contributes to the expansion of blood vessels, but not only in the coronary vessels, but throughout the body, especially in the brain. This restores the heart muscle and relieves headaches.
Potassium also returns normal muscle tone. From this their weakness and tremor of arms and legs disappears.
Potassium chloride is part of the droppers from binge. The reasons for this are described above. But if earlier it was said about simple therapy for alcohol intoxication, now we are talking about severe intoxication of the body. For this reason, the patient is administered up to two liters of glucose solution with physiological fluid per day. Just in the composition of the latter and includes potassium salt.
Use in physiotherapy
Many have heard about salt rooms (halochambers) or just lamps. They are recommended to be visited for the prevention and treatment of skin diseases, respiratory system, metabolic problems. But most people think that they use sodium chloride.
In fact, such rooms are often covered with sylvin, halite and carnallite - minerals that include potassium chloride. The creation of halochambers aims to reproduce the natural conditions of caves in potash mines.
Even in ancient times, people noticed that staying in such an atmosphere strengthens the body and cures many diseases. The therapeutic effect is achieved thanks to salt aerosol (small particles of minerals, the concentration of which in the air is quite large). Inhaling it, a person naturally enriches the body with the necessary micro-macrocells. Also, the aerosol settles on the skin, stimulating metabolic processes in it.
But it is worthwhile to understand that such therapy has not only a positive effect on the body. There are a number of contraindications that must be considered before visiting the halochamber. Therefore, it is better to consult a doctor in advance.
At the same time, special lamps made of these minerals improve the microclimate in the house. They are relatively inexpensive. Their regular use reduces the frequency of colds in the cold season.
It is worth noting that some doctors do not recognize this method of therapy, while others strongly recommend that their patients undergo preventive and supportive courses of therapy in specialized sanatoriums.