Potassium gluconate

Absorption

Potassium is rapidly and well absorbed. A 2016 dose-response trial found that humans absorb about 94% of potassium gluconate in supplements, and this absorption rate is similar to that of potassium from potatoes .

Toxicity

Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 9100 mg/kg in the mouse
Toxicity from overdose is rare but may result from intentional ingestion of potassium. Iatrogenic overdoses may occur .
Local irritation after ingestion causes GI upset. Severe hyperkalemia after large IV or oral overdoses causes muscular dysfunction including weakness, paralysis, cardiac dysrhythmias, and rarely death .
Mild to moderate toxicity
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, paresthesias, and muscle cramps are common. Rarely, gastrointestinal bleed may occur.
Severe toxicity
In severe toxicity, muscular weakness progressing to paralysis may occur. Cardiac arrhythmia often occur at concentrations greater than 8 mEq/L and death from cardiac arrest at concentrations of 9 to 12 mEq/L or higher. Characteristic ECG findings occur in the following order: peaked T waves, QRS complex blends into the T wave, PR interval prolongation, P wave is lost and ST segments depress, merging S and T waves, and finally, sine waves. The presence of the sine wave is a near terminal event, signaling that hemodynamic collapse and cardiac arrest are near. As serum hyperkalemia is corrected towards normal concentrations, the ECG changes resolve in reverse order .

The Uses of Potassium gluconate

Potassium Gluconate is a nutritional source of potassium used in fortification. it has solubility in water at 20°c of greater than 900 g/l, and a ph of approximately 7.0 at 1% solution. it can be used as a partial replacement for sodium chloride to reduce the level of sodium, such as in cheese and bakery goods.

What are the applications of Application

D-Gluconic acid potassium salt is an agent that can increase K+ transport of erythrocytes

Indications

Because of potassium’s wide-ranging roles in the body, low intakes can increase the risk of illness .
Potassium supplements are indicated to prevent hypokalemia in patients who would be at particular risk if hypokalemia were to develop (e.g., digitalis treated patients with significant cardiac arrhythmias). Potassium deficiency occurs when the rate of loss through renal excretion and/or loss from the gastrointestinal tract is higher than the rate of potassium intake. In addition to serving as a preventative supplement, potassium gluconate also serves as a treatment for decreased potassium levels , , .

Background

Potassium gluconate is a salt of Potassium cation and is classified as a food additive by the FDA . It is also used as a potassium supplement .
Potassium is an essential nutrient. It is the most abundant cation in the intracellular fluid, where it plays a key role in maintaining cell function .
In dietary supplements, potassium is often present as potassium chloride, but many other forms—including potassium citrate, phosphate, aspartate, bicarbonate, and gluconate—are also used . Potassium gluconate is believed to be more palatable and non-acidifying than potassium chloride (KCl) .

Pharmacokinetics

Potassium is an essential nutrient. It is the most abundant cation in intracellular fluid, where it plays a key role in maintaining cell function, especially in excitable cells such as skeletal muscles, the heart, and nerves . Increases in interstitial potassium play an important role in eliciting rapid vasodilation, allowing for blood flow to increase in exercising muscle .

Metabolism

Not Available