Meta Information
ID:potassium-chloride
Name:Potassium Chloride
Schema Version:1.5
Alternate Names
- KCl
- Potassium salt
Active Compound
Potassium Chloride
Intervention Type
therapeutic_agent
Delivery
Route:
oral
Scope:
- systemic
Regulatory Status
- us:rx_drug
- us:otc_drug
- us:dietary_supplement
- global:food_additive
Indication
Focus:
- symptom_management
- disease_treatment
Description:
Used to prevent or treat hypokalemia (low blood potassium levels), which is crucial for nerve function, muscle contraction, and maintaining healthy blood pressure.
Typical Protocol
- For prevention of deficiency, typical supplemental doses range from 20-40 mEq (780-1560 mg) per day, often split into multiple doses.
- Prescription doses for treating confirmed deficiency can be significantly higher and require strict medical supervision.
- It is commonly used as a salt substitute (e.g., Nu-Salt, Morton Salt Substitute) to reduce dietary sodium intake.
Expected Cost Mean
Low Cost:
5
High Cost:
20
Cost Type:
monthly
Description:
Widely available and inexpensive as an over-the-counter supplement or salt substitute.
Summary
Potassium is an essential mineral and electrolyte vital for maintaining the electrochemical gradient across cell membranes. This function is fundamental for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm. Maintaining adequate potassium levels is critical for cardiovascular health, particularly blood pressure regulation, making it a foundational component of healthspan, primarily by preventing the severe consequences of deficiency.
Purpose
Maintains cellular electrical gradients for cardiovascular and neuromuscular health.
Card Summary
An essential electrolyte for nerve, muscle, and heart function, primarily used to correct deficiencies and support healthy blood pressure.
Drug Class
potassium
Drugs In Class
Empty Array
Impact
Score:
4.5
Justification:
Essential for correcting deficiency and supporting blood pressure, but not a direct longevity agent.
Evidence
Grade:
A
Score:
9.5
Justification:
Vast body of evidence from human RCTs on its role in blood pressure and physiology.
Safety
Score:
5.5
Justification:
Risk of life-threatening hyperkalemia if overdosed, especially with impaired kidney function or certain drugs.
Flags
- Overdose can cause fatal hyperkalemia (high blood potassium), leading to cardiac arrest.
- High risk for individuals with kidney disease, as they cannot excrete potassium effectively.
- Interacts dangerously with ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and potassium-sparing diuretics, increasing hyperkalemia risk.
- High doses can cause severe gastrointestinal irritation, including nausea, vomiting, and ulcers.
- Supplementation should only be undertaken with medical guidance, ideally with blood level monitoring.
Verdict
Essential mineral for health; supplement cautiously only if deficient.
Created
2026-05-06T18:40:57.797046Z
Ai Model
Gemini 2.5 Pro (High)