Tri-K

Generic Name: potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate (poe tass EE um)

Brand Names: Tri-K

What is Tri-K (potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate)?

Potassium is a mineral that is found naturally in foods and is necessary for many normal functions of your body, especially the beating of your heart.

Potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate are salts of potassium. They are used together to prevent or to treat a potassium deficiency.

Potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Tri-K (potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate)?

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.

Mix the liquid with at least 4 ounces (one-half cup) of water or juice. Mix it thoroughly and drink it immediately. Do not drink the liquid without diluting it first.

Do not take salt substitutes or drink low-salt milk while taking potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate unless your doctor approves. Salt substitutes and low-salt milk usually contain potassium. You may get too much potassium and suffer from side effects if you use these products.

Who should not take Tri-K (potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate)?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

• have kidney disease;


• 
  

  are taking a potassium-sparing diuretic such as triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), or amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic);

  
  


• 
  

  have Addison's disease;

  
  


• 
  

  have an ulcer or an intestinal blockage; or

  
  


• 
  

  have chronic diarrhea.

  
  

You may not be able to take potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether this medication will harm an unborn baby. Do not take potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is also not known whether potassium passes into breast milk. As long as potassium levels in your body are within the normal range, this medication is not expected to harm a nursing infant. Talk to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Tri-K (potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate)?

Take potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.

Mix the liquid with at least 4 ounces (one-half cup) of water or juice. Mix it thoroughly and drink it immediately.

Store potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate overdose include paralysis; numbness or tingling in the hands, arms, legs, or feet; an irregular heartbeat; low blood pressure (dizziness, confusion, weakness, fatigue); seizures; coma; and heart attack.

What should I avoid while taking Tri-K (potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate)?

Do not take salt substitutes or drink low-salt milk while taking potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate unless your doctor approves. Salt substitutes and low-salt milk usually contain potassium. You may get too much potassium and suffer from side effects if you use these products.

Do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor approves. Stopping could make your condition much worse.

Tri-K (potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate) side effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate and seek emergency medical attention:

• 
  

  an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

  
  


• 
  

  confusion;

  
  


• 
  

  an irregular heartbeat;

  
  


• 
  

  difficulty breathing;

  
  


• 
  

  unusual fatigue, weakness, or heavy legs;

  
  


• 
  

  abdominal pain or severe cramping; or

  
  


• 
  

  black, bloody, or tarry stools.

  
  

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate and talk to your doctor if you experience

• 
  

  nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort;

  
  


• 
  

  a rash;

  
  


• 
  

  slight tingling in the hands or feet; or

  
  


• 
  

  anxiety.

  
  

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Tri-K (potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate)?

The following drugs may increase the effects of potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate:

• angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) such as benazepril (Lotensin) and captopril (Capoten);


• other commonly used ACE inhibitors, including enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace);


• 
  

  potassium-sparing diuretics such as triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), and amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic);

  
  


• beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin) and propranolol (Inderal); and


• other commonly used beta-blockers, including acebutolol (Sectral), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), nadolol (Corgard), metoprolol (Lopressor), and pindolol (Visken).

Do not take any of the medicines listed above with potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate except under the supervision of your doctor.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• 
  

  the heart medicine digoxin (Lanoxin);

  
  


• 
  

  a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril, HCTZ, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), metolazone (Zaroxolyn),or indapamide (Lozol);

  
  


• 
  

  a steroid such as prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others), cortisone (Cortone), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone, others), dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol); or

  
  


• an anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), or ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail).

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

More Tri-K resources

• Tri-K Drug Interactions
• Tri-K Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Tri-K - Add your own review/rating

• Tri-K Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Compare Tri-K with other medications

• Hypokalemia
• Prevention of Hypokalemia

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Potassium acetate, bicarbonate, and citrate is available with a prescription under the brand name Tri-K as a liquid. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.