At present, the commonly used clinical potassium drugs include potassium chloride, potassium citrate, potassium and magnesium menthylate, etc., which can be used by the elderly, and which one is the safest to be used under the guidance of the doctor with the combination of indications and contraindications of the drugs and the comprehensive analysis of the condition.
1. Potassium chloride: used for the treatment and prevention of hypokalemia through potassium-containing food intervention or reduce the effect of potassium-excreting diuretics is not good, may or may not be accompanied by metabolic alkalosis. It is contraindicated in case of allergy to drug components, hyperkalemia, oliguria or anuria, or if potassium-preserving diuretics are being used.
2. Potassium citrate: prevention or treatment of hypokalemia caused by insufficient food intake, vomiting, diarrhea, application of glucocorticosteroids, potassium-excreting diuretics, etc.; prevention and treatment of digitalis intoxication resulting in frequent, multiple premature beats or tachyarrhythmia. With hyperkalemia, heart failure, severe myocardial damage, peptic ulcer and other conditions prohibited.
3. Potassium magnesium menthylate: It is used to treat hypokalemia, ventricular arrhythmia caused by digitalis intoxication and sequelae of myocarditis, congestive heart failure, etc. It is also used to assist the treatment of myocardial infarction. With hyperkalemia, acute and chronic renal failure, Addison’s disease, Ⅲ degree atrioventricular block, cardiogenic shock and other conditions prohibited.
The above mentioned drugs such as potassium chloride, potassium citrate, potassium magnesium menthylate and other drugs need to be used under the guidance of clinicians and unauthorized use is prohibited; if hypokalemia occurs, it is recommended to go to the hospital in time for consultation.