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Potassium Chloride (POTASSIUM)
Potassium Chloride works by replenishing potassium levels in the body.
Potassium Chloride is a small molecule medication originally developed by Torrent and currently owned by Nesher Pharms. It is used to treat and prevent hypokalemia (low potassium levels) with or without metabolic alkalosis. The medication is off-patent, with 56 generic manufacturers available. It was FDA-approved in 2025. Key safety considerations include careful monitoring of potassium levels to avoid hyperkalemia.
At a glance
| Generic name | POTASSIUM |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Nesher Pharms |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Metabolic |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 2025 |
Mechanism of action
The potassium ion is the principal intracellular cation of most body tissues. Potassium ions participate in a number of essential physiological processes including the maintenance of intracellular tonicity, the transmission of nerve impulses, the contraction of cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscle and the maintenance of normal renal function. The intracellular concentration of potassium is approximately 150 to 160 mEq per liter. The normal adult plasma concentration is 3.5 to 5 mEq per liter. An active ion transport system maintains this gradient across the plasma membrane. Potassium is a normal dietary constituent and under steady state conditions the amount of potassium absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract is equal to the amount excreted in the urine. The usual dietary intake of potassium is 50 to 100 mEq per day.
Approved indications
- treatment and prophylaxis of hypokalemia with or without metabolic alkalosis
- treatment and prophylaxis of hypokalemia with or without metabolic alkalosis
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Flatulence
- Abdominal pain/discomfort
- Diarrhea
- Hyperkalemia
- Upper gastrointestinal condition
- Lower gastrointestinal condition
- Obstruction
- Bleeding
- Ulceration
- Perforation
Drug interactions
- Triamterene or Amiloride
- Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Key clinical trials
- A Clinical Study of Iparomlimab and Tuvonralimab Combined With SOX Following Heterogeneous Radiotherapy as First-line Treatment for Unresectable Locally Advanced or Metastatic HER2-negative Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma (PHASE4)
- Saccharin and Acesulfame Potassium Consumption and Glucose Homeostasis in Older Adults With Prediabetes (NA)
- FENOX Trial (Comparative Effectiveness of Fexuprazan Co-therapy in Patients Receiving Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants) (NA)
- A Trial of 2 Options for Second Line Combination Antiretroviral Therapy Following Virological Failure of a Standard Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NNRTI)+2N(t)RTI First Line Regimen (PHASE4)
- Study of the Safety of a Particular Herpes Vaccine in Adults With or Without Herpes Infection (PHASE1)
- Safety of a Healthy Plant-based Diet With Higher Potassium Content, Compared to a Healthy Plant-based Diet With Limited Potassium Content in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Pilot Study (NA)
- Optimization of Minocycline for Helicobacter Pylori Rescue Treatment (PHASE4)
- APLAUD Trial (Antibiotics vs PLacebo for Acute Uncomplicated Diverticulitis) (PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Potassium Chloride CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Potassium Chloride updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Nesher Pharms portfolio CI