Potassium Citrate ER (Urocit-K) Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Precautions Before Starting Potassium Citrate ER (Urocit-K)

Tell your health care provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to potassium citrate ER in the past, any of the active or inactive ingredients in the tablet (extended-release), or any other medicines. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, non-prescription (OTC) medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements. This will help avoid possible drug interactions with your other medications.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Potassium citrate ER may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions, such as hyperkalemia (high potassium), chronic kidney failure, uncontrolled diabetes, acute dehydration, strenuous exercise when your body isn’t used to it, adrenal insufficiency, severe burns, trouble swallowing, delayed gastric emptying, narrowing or blockage in the gastrointestinal tract, peptic ulcer disease (stomach or intestinal ulcers), an active urinary tract infection (bacterial enzymatic degradation can affect how the medicine works), renal insufficiency, kidney disease, heart problems, heart failure, or heart attack.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy soon, or are breast-feeding.

Precautions During Use of Potassium Citrate ER (Urocit-K)

Keep all your medical and lab appointments during treatment with potassium citrate ER. Your doctor will check periodic blood tests and electrocardiograms for safety.

Tell all your healthcare providers you are on potassium citrate ER before any procedure, including dental procedures.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking potassium citrate ER.

Potassium Citrate ER (Urocit-K) Drug Interactions

Certain other drugs can affect how potassium citrate ER works. Possible interactions between potassium citrate ER and other medicines can increase the risk of severe adverse effects. Some of the medications that can interact with potassium citrate ER include:

Certain blood pressure medications such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)

• Potassium-sparing diuretics (water pills) such as spironolactone, triamterene, amiloride, and eplerenone
• Direct renin inhibitors such as aliskiren (produce potassium retention by inhibiting aldosterone production)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (may lead to potassium retention by reducing renal synthesis of prostaglandins and impairing the renin angiotensin aldosterone system)
• Anticholinergic drugs used to treat dizziness, stomach cramps, diarrhea, motion sickness, and urinary disorders
• Potassium chlorides and phosphates and other sustained release potassium products
• Salt substitutes containing potassium

The above list does not include all the potential drug interactions of potassium citrate ER. Give your doctor or pharmacist a list of all the medicines you take, including prescription drugs, OTC (nonprescription) drugs, dietary supplements, and herbal products. Also, tell your healthcare professionals if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.