Potassium Citrate (By mouth)

poe-TAS-ee-um SIT-rate

Treats and prevents kidney stones by lowering the amount of acid in urine.

Drug classes

Potassium Supplement, Urinary Alkalinizer, Urinary Stone Agent (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Potassium citrate is used to treat a kidney stone condition called renal tubular acidosis. It is also used to prevent kidney stones that may occur with gout.

Potassium citrate is a urinary alkalinizer. It works by making the urine more alkaline (less acid).

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Long Acting Tablet

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

Take this medicine with a meal or bedtime snack, or within 30 minutes after a meal.

Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions about any special diet. Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the tablet, or if the tablet seems to stick or gets stuck in your throat.

If you take the extended-release tablet, part of the tablet may pass into your stools. This is normal and is nothing to worry about.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Some medicines and foods can affect how potassium citrate works. Tell your doctor if you also use a diuretic (water pill) or medicine that makes your mouth dry or causes constipation.

Limit how much salt (sodium) you eat and drink. Do not add salt to your food.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to potassium citrate, or if you have a urinary tract infection or a peptic ulcer.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, heart disease, heart failure, diabetes, problems with your adrenal gland, digestion problems, or previous heart attack.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Too much potassium in the blood Bleeding or damage in the digestive system, such as an ulcer

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Severe vomiting, stomach pain, bloody or black, tarry stools

Confusion, weakness, uneven heartbeat, trouble breathing, numbness in your hands, feet, or lips

Fast or uneven heartbeat

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Mild diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or stomach discomfort

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Urocit-K, Urocit-K 10, Urocit-K 15, Urocit-K 5

There may be other brand names for this medicine.