KLOR-Con/EF

Potassium Bicarbonate · Tablet, Effervescent · Oral

Prescription (Rx) Osmotic Laxative Potassium Salt

Uses

For the treatment of patients with hypokalemia, with or without metabolic alkalosis; in digitalis intoxication; and in patients with hypokalemic familial periodic paralysis. If hypokalemia is the result of diuretic therapy, consideration should be given to the use of a lower dose of diuretic, which may be sufficient without leading to hypokalemia. For the prevention of hypokalemia in patients who would be at particular risk if hypokalemia were to develop (e.g., digitalized patients or patients with significant cardiac arrhythmias). The use of potassium salts in patients receiving diuretics for uncomplicated essential hypertension is often unnecessary when such patients have a normal dietary pattern and when low doses of the diuretic are used. Serum potassium should be checked periodically, however, and if hypokalemia occurs, dietary supplementation with potassium-containing foods may be adequate to control milder cases. In more severe cases, and if dose adjustment of the diuretic is ineffective or unwarranted, supplementation with potassium salts may be indicated.

Dosage and administration

The usual dietary potassium intake by the average adult is 50 to 100 mEq per day. Potassium depletion sufficient to cause hypokalemia usually requires the loss of 200 mEq or more of potassium from the total body store. Dosage must be adjusted to the individual needs of each patient. The dose for the prevention of hypokalemia is typically 25 mEq per day. Doses of 50 to 100 mEq per day or more are used for the treatment of potassium depletion. Dosage should be divided if more than 25 mEq per day is given such that no more than 25 mEq is given in a single dose. The usual adult dose is 25 to 100 mEq of potassium per day (one KLOR-CON ® /EF tablet 1 to 4 times daily after meals). Each KLOR-CON ® /EF tablet should be dissolved in at least 4 ounces of cold or ice water. These preparations, like other potassium supplements, must be properly diluted to avoid the possibility of gastrointestinal irritation.

Contraindications

Potassium supplements are contraindicated in patients with hyperkalemia since a further increase in serum potassium concentration in such patients can produce cardiac arrest. Hyperkalemia may complicate any of the following conditions: chronic renal failure, systemic acidosis such as diabetic acidosis, acute dehydration, extensive tissue breakdown as in severe burns, adrenal insufficiency or the administration of a potassium-sparing diuretic (e.g., spironolactone, triamterene or amiloride) [see OVERDOSAGE ] .

Warnings

Hyperkalemia [see OVERDOSAGE ] In patients with impaired mechanisms for excreting potassium, the administration of potassium salts can produce hyperkalemia and cardiac arrest. This occurs most commonly in patients given potassium by the intravenous route but may also occur in patients given potassium orally. Potentially fatal hyperkalemia can develop rapidly and be asymptomatic. The use of potassium salts in patients with chronic renal disease, or any other condition which impairs potassium excretion, requires particularly careful monitoring of the serum potassium concentration and appropriate dosage adjustment. Interaction with Potassium-Sparing Diuretics Hypokalemia should not be treated by the concomitant administration of potassium salts and a potassium-sparing diuretic (e.g., spironolactone, triamterene or amiloride), since the simultaneous administration of these agents can produce severe hyperkalemia. Interaction with Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (e.g., captopril, enalapril) will produce some potassium retention by inhibiting aldosterone production. Potassium supplements should be given to patients receiving ACE inhibitors only with close monitoring. Metabolic Acidosis Hypokalemia in patients with metabolic acidosis should be treated with an alkalinizing potassium salt such as potassium bicarbonate, potassium citrate, potassium acetate or potassium gluconate.

Precautions

General The diagnosis of potassium depletion is ordinarily made by demonstrating hypokalemia in a patient with a clinical history suggesting some cause for potassium depletion. In interpreting the serum potassium level, the physician should be aware that acute alkalosis per se can produce hypokalemia in the absence of a deficit in total body potassium while acute acidosis per se can increase the serum potassium concentration into the normal range even in the presence of a reduced total body potassium. The treatment of potassium depletion, particularly in the presence of cardiac disease, renal disease or acidosis, requires careful attention to acid-base balance and appropriate monitoring of serum electrolytes, the electrocardiogram and the clinical status of the patient. Information for Patients Remind the patient to take this medicine following the frequency and amount prescribed. This is especially important if the patient is also taking diuretics and/or digitalis preparations. Laboratory Tests When blood is drawn for analysis of plasma potassium, artifactual elevations can occur after improper venipuncture technique or as a result of in vitro hemolysis of the sample. Drug Interactions Potassium-sparing diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors [see WARNINGS ] . Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Carcinogenicity, mutagenicity and fertility studies in animals have not been performed. Potassium is a normal dietary constituent. Pregnancy Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with potassium salts. It is not known if potassium salts cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or affect reproductive capacity. Potassium supplements should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. Nursing Mothers Many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from oral potassium supplements, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, considering the importance of the drug to the mother. Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

Side effects

One of the most severe adverse effects is hyperkalemia [see CONTRAINDICATIONS , WARNINGS and OVERDOSAGE ] . The most common adverse reactions to oral potassium salts are nausea, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal pain/discomfort and diarrhea. These symptoms are due to irritation of the gastrointestinal tract and are best managed by diluting the preparation further, taking the dose with meals or reducing the dose.

Drug interactions

Drug Interactions Potassium-sparing diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors [see WARNINGS ] .

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with potassium salts. It is not known if potassium salts cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or affect reproductive capacity. Potassium supplements should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Pediatric use

Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

Overdosage

The administration of oral potassium salts to persons with normal excretory mechanisms for potassium rarely causes serious hyperkalemia. However, if excretory mechanisms are impaired or if potassium is administered too rapidly intravenously, potentially fatal hyperkalemia can result [see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS ] . It is important to recognize that hyperkalemia is usually asymptomatic and may be manifested only by an increased serum potassium concentration (6.5 to 8.0 mEq/L) and characteristic electrocardiographic changes (peaking of T-waves, loss of P-wave, depression of S-T segment and prolongation of the QT interval). Late manifestations include muscle paralysis and cardiovascular collapse from cardiac arrest (9 to 12 mEq/L). Treatment measures for hyperkalemia include the following: 1) elimination of foods and medications containing potassium and elimination of potassium-sparing diuretics; 2) intravenous administration of 300 to 500 mL/hr of 10% dextrose solution containing 10 to 20 units of crystalline insulin per 1,000 mL; 3) correction of acidosis, if present, with intravenous sodium bicarbonate; 4) use of exchange resins, hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. In treating hyperkalemia in patients who have been stabilized on digitalis, too rapid a lowering of the serum potassium concentration can produce digitalis toxicity.

Description

Orange-flavored KLOR-CON ® /EF (potassium bicarbonate effervescent tablets for oral solution, USP) are an oral potassium supplement offered as effervescent tablets in individual packets for dissolution in water. Each tablet contains potassium bicarbonate 2.5 g and citric acid 2.1 g which in solution provides 25 mEq (978 mg) potassium as bicarbonate and citrate. Also contains: FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Lake, microcrystalline cellulose, mineral oil, orange flavor, saccharin and talc. KLOR-CON ® /EF tablets are sugar-free.

How supplied

HOW SUPPLIED KLOR-CON ® /EF Potassium Bicarbonate Effervescent Tablets for Oral Solution, USP are supplied as follows: Cartons of 30 individually wrapped tablets NDC 0245-5326-30 Cartons of 100 individually wrapped tablets NDC 0245-5326-01 Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Storage

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Patient information

Information for Patients Remind the patient to take this medicine following the frequency and amount prescribed. This is especially important if the patient is also taking diuretics and/or digitalis preparations.

Label text from the FDA structured product label by Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. (revised Jul 14, 2025). Long sections are shortened; the complete label is on DailyMed.

Active ingredients

Potassium Bicarbonate in 1 product

KLOR-Con/EF NDC products (1)

NDC	Strength & form	Labeler	Type
0245-5326	Potassium Bicarbonate 978 mg/1 Tablet, Effervescent	Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.	UNAPPROVED DRUG OTHER

Frequently asked questions

What is KLOR-Con/EF used for?

What are the side effects of KLOR-Con/EF?

Who makes KLOR-Con/EF?

KLOR-Con/EF is listed by 1 labeler in the FDA NDC directory, including Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc..