Potassium chloride

• BPPotassium Chloride
• JPPotassium Chloride
• Ph. Eur.Potassium Chloride
• USP–NFPotassium Chloride

Chloride of potassium; kalii chloridum; potassium monochloride; sylvite; E508

Potassium chloride · [7447-40-7]

UNII 660YQ98I10 · PubChem CID 4873

KCl · 74.55

Tonicity-adjusting agent

Typical concentrations: — · Dosage forms: Sterile (parenteral/ophthalmic)

Used as a tonicity-adjusting agent in parenteral, ophthalmic and nasal preparations, as an electrolyte component of infusion, dialysis and oral rehydration solutions, and in buffer solutions. A 1.19% w/v aqueous solution is iso-osmotic with serum. It is also used therapeutically for potassium replacement and in foods as a salt substitute.

Colourless, elongated or cubical crystals, or a white crystalline powder or granules; odourless, with a saline taste.

Melting point

about 770 °C

Density

about 1.98 g/cm³

Solubility

freely soluble in water (about 1 in 3 at 20 °C); practically insoluble in ethanol and ether

Iso-osmotic concentration

1.19% w/v in water

pH

about 7 (neutral aqueous solution)

Stable. Store in a well-closed container in a cool, dry place. Aqueous solutions can be sterilised by autoclaving or filtration.

Reacts with silver, lead and mercury salts to form insoluble chlorides. Reacts violently with bromine trifluoride and with a mixture of sulfuric acid and potassium permanganate. Incompatible with strong oxidising agents.

Obtained from naturally occurring minerals such as sylvite, sylvinite and carnallite, or from brines, and purified by recrystallisation.

The amounts used as an excipient are of no toxicological concern. Therapeutic oral doses can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, and solid formulations have caused ulceration; hyperkalaemia is a risk in renal impairment. Concentrated solutions must always be diluted before intravenous use, as rapid injection can cause fatal cardiac arrest.

Observe normal precautions for the quantity handled. Eye protection and gloves are recommended; the dust may irritate the eyes.

GRAS listed. Accepted as a food additive in Europe (E508). Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredient Database (including intravenous, ophthalmic, nasal and oral preparations) and in parenteral and non-parenteral medicines licensed in Europe.

Potassium bicarbonate; potassium citrate; sodium chloride.

Its sodium chloride equivalent is about 0.76, which is used in calculating the amount needed to make a solution isotonic. Concentrated potassium chloride injections are classed as high-alert medicines and must be clearly distinguished from diluted solutions.