Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Glucose monohydrate, Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion 3. How you will be given Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion 4. Possible side effects 5. How to store Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion 6. Content of the pack and other information
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1. What Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion is and what it is used for
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Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion is a solution of potassium chloride, sodium chloride and glucose monohydrate in water. Potassium chloride and sodium chloride are chemicals (often called "salts") found in the blood.
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It is used to prevent and treat the following conditions:
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higher levels of potassium in the blood than normal (hyperkalaemia) higher levels of chloride in the blood than normal (hyperchloraemia) severe kidney failure (when your kidneys do not work well and you require dialysis) uncompensated heart failure. This is heart failure that is not adequately treated and causes symptoms such as:
Your doctor will take special care when giving you Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion is a hypertonic (concentrated) solution. Once administered, the solution becomes hypotonic due to its low sodium content. Your doctor will take this into account when calculating how much to give you.
Warnings and precautions Please tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
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oedema) and death. Acute hyponatraemic encephalopathy is a serious complication, especially in children.
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Some patients are at higher risk for hyponatraemia. In general this applies to young people, old people, women and anyone with a condition such as low levels of oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia) or drinking a lot due to a dry mouth (psychogenic polydipsia). You may also be at a higher risk for hyponatraemia, if you have recently been operated on. any condition that causes you to have high blood potassium (hyperkalaemia) such as:
Your doctor knows this and will closely monitor the amount of chemicals such as sodium and chloride in your child's blood (plasma electrolytes)
Other medicines and Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion Tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Other medicines that can affect or be affected by Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion include:
Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion with food and drink You should ask your doctor about what you can eat or drink.
This may increase the risk of low level of sodium in your blood and can lead to headache, nausea, seizures, lethargy, coma, swelling of the brain and death. Brain swelling increases the risk of death and brain damage. People who are at higher risk of brain swelling are:
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility Ask your doctor or nurse for advice before taking this medicine. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or nurse for advice before taking this medicine. There is a small possibility that if you are given Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion during labour, glucose could affect the unborn baby by causing:
If you have any of these conditions, you will need additional tests to monitor your health. Your doctor will take blood and urine samples to monitor the amount of chemicals in your blood (your plasma electrolytes). You will also have a heart tracing (ECG). You might have changes made to your other medicines.
Children Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion should be given with special care in children.
However, the relationship between glucose infusion and these effects has not been proven.
Newborns, especially those born premature and with a low birth weight, are at increased risk of developing a too low or too high level of sugar in the blood (hypo or hyperglycaemia) due to infusion of glucose solutions. Low levels of sugar in the newborn can cause prolonged seizures, coma and brain damage. High level of sugar has been associated with bleeding into the brain, late onset bacterial and fungal infection, infection in the intestinal track (necrotizing enterocolitis), eye problems (retinopathy of prematurity), lung problems (bronchopulmonary dysplasia), prolonged length of hospital stay, and death.
If another medicine is to be added to your solution for infusion during pregnancy or breast-feeding you should:
Driving and using machines The infusion does not affect your ability to drive or use machines.
Children are at higher risk for having or developing a too low sodium concentration in their blood (hyponatraemia). Hyponatraemia can lead to headache, nausea, seizures, lethargy, coma, swelling of the brain (cerebral
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Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion The infusion will be given to you by a doctor or nurse. Your doctor will decide on how much you need and when it is to be given. This will depend on your age, weight, clinical and biological conditions (your state of health). It will also depend on the other medicines that you take.
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If you require a large volume or rapid infusion of Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion, your doctor will monitor your ECG (heart tracing).
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The infusion will usually be given to you through a plastic tube attached to a needle in a vein. Usually a vein in your arm is used to give you the infusion. However, your doctor may use another method. Before and during the infusion, your doctor will monitor:
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If you suffer from poor kidney function, you will receive a lower dose. •
If you receive more Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion than you should
hyponatremia (low level of sodium in body fluids) that may be acquired during hospitalization (nosocomial hyponatraemia) and related neurological disorder (acute hyponatremic encephalopathy). Hyponatraemiacan lead to irreversible brain injury and death due to cerebral oedema/swelling (see also section 2 "warnings and precautions") hyperglycemia (high levels of sugar in the blood) irritation and inflammation of the vein into which the solution is infused (phlebitis). This can cause redness, pain or burning, and swelling of the vein rash pruritus (itchy skin) fever (pyrexia) infection at the site of infusion local pain or reaction (redness or swelling) at the site of the infusion injection site vesicles chills high level of potassium in the blood (hyperkalaemia) cardiac arrest the formation of a clot in the injected vein (venous thrombosis), which causes pain, swelling or redness. escape of the infusion solution (extravasation) into the tissues around the vein. This can damage the tissues and cause scarring. too much fluid in the blood vessels (hypervolaemia)
If a medicine has been added to the solution for infusion, the added medicine may also cause side effects. These side effects will depend on the medicine that has been added. You should read the Package Leaflet of the added medicine for a list of possible symptoms.
If you are given too much Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion (over-infusion), this may lead to the following symptoms:
If you get any side effects talk to your doctor or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects talk to your doctor or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly, via the methods listed below. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. United Kingdom Via the Yellow Card Scheme: website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
Like all medicines, Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The side effects that may occur due to the administration method include:
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Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion does not require any special storage conditions. Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not remove unit from overwrap until ready to use.
If you develop any of these symptoms you must inform your doctor immediately. Your infusion will be stopped and you will be given treatment depending on the symptoms. If a medicine has been added to the Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion and you receive more than you should, the added medicine may also cause side effects. You should read the Package Leaflet of the added medicine for a list of possible symptoms.
The Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion should NOT be given to you after the expiry date which is stated on the bag after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Stop receiving your Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion
You should not be given Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion, if:
Your doctor will decide when to stop giving you this infusion. If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
This leaflet does not contain all the information about this medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your healthcare professional.
What Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion contains The active substances are potassium chloride (3.0 g per litre), sodium chloride (1.8 g per litre) and glucose (40 g per litre, equivalent to 44 g glucose as monohydrate). The only other ingredient is water for injection
What Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion looks like and contents of the pack Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion, is a clear solution, free from visible particles. It is supplied in polyolefin/polyamide plastic bags (VIAFLO). Each bag is wrapped in a sealed, protective, outer plastic bag. The bag sizes are:
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturers: Baxter Healthcare Limited Caxton Way Thetford Norfolk IP24 3SE United Kingdom Send all enquires to this address Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion can be made at any of these addresses: Baxter Healthcare Limited Caxton Way Thetford Norfolk IP24 3SE United Kingdom Bieffe Medital SA Ctra de Biescas-Senegüé 22666 Sabiñánigo (Huesca) Spain This leaflet was last revised in June 2023
For information about Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion or to request this leaflet in formats such as audio or large print please contact the Marketing Authorisation Holder: Tel: +44 (0)1635 206345.
Baxter and Viaflo are trademarks of Baxter International lnc.
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Potassium Chloride 0.3% w/v, Sodium Chloride 0.18% w/v and Glucose 4% w/v Solution for Infusion BP The following information is intended for healthcare professionals only:
The intravenous infusion device and administration equipment must be frequently monitored. Discard after single use.
Handling and Preparation
Discard any unused portion.
Use only if the solution is clear, without visible particles and if the container is undamaged. Administer immediately following the insertion of infusion set.
Do not reconnect partially used bags.
1. Opening a. Remove the VIAFLO container from the overpouch just before use. b. Check for minute leaks by squeezing the inner bag firmly. If leaks are found, discard the solution, as the solution may no longer be sterile. c. Check the solution for limpidity and absence of foreign matters. If the solution is not clear or contains foreign matter, discard the solution.
Do not remove unit from overwrap until ready for use. The inner bag maintains the sterility of the product. Do not use plastic containers in series connections. Such use could result in air embolism due to residual air being drawn from the primary container before the administration of the fluid from the secondary container is completed.
2. Preparation for administration
Pressurizing intravenous solutions contained in flexible plastic containers to increase flow rates can result in air embolism if the residual air in the container is not fully evacuated prior to administration. Use of a vented intravenous administration set with the vent in the open position could result in air embolism. Vented intravenous administration sets with the vent in the open position should not be used with flexible plastic containers.
Use sterile material for preparation and administration. a. Suspend the container from the eyelet support. b. Remove the plastic protector from the outlet port at the bottom of the container:
The solution should be administered with sterile equipment using an aseptic technique. The equipment should be primed with the solution to prevent air entering the system. Additives may be introduced before or during infusion through the resealable medication port.
3. Techniques for injection of additive medications Warning: Additives may be incompatible (see paragraph 5 "Incompatibilities of additive medications" below).
Additives known or determined to be incompatible should not be used. Before adding a substance or medication, verify that it is soluble and/or stable in Potassium Chloride 0.3% w/v, Sodium Chloride 0.18 % w/v and Glucose 4% w/v Solution for Infusion and that the pH range of Potassium Chloride 0.3 % w/v, Sodium Chloride 0.18 % w/v and Glucose 4% w/v Solution for Infusion is appropriate.
To add medicinal product before administration a. Disinfect medication site. b. Using syringe with 19 to 22 gauge needle, puncture resealable medication port and inject. c. Mix solution and medication thoroughly. For high-density medication such as potassium chloride, tap the ports gently while ports are upright and mix.
The instructions for use of the medication to be added and other relevant literature must be consulted. After addition, if there is a colour change and/or the appearance of precipitates, insoluble complexes or crystals, do not use.
Caution: Do not store bags containing added medications.
Adding other medication or using an incorrect administration technique might cause the appearance of fever reactions due to the possible introduction of pyrogens. In case of adverse reaction, infusion must be stopped immediately.
To add medicinal product during administration a. Close clamp on the set. b. Disinfect medication port. c. Using syringe with 19 to 22 gauge needle, puncture resealable medication port and inject. d. Remove container from IV pole and/or turn to an upright position. e. Evacuate both ports by tapping gently while the container is in an upright position. f. Mix solution and medication thoroughly. g. Return container to in use position, re-open the clamp and continue administration
Paediatric population
4. In-use shelf life (Additives)
In order to avoid potentially fatal over infusion of intravenous fluids to the neonate, special attention needs to be paid to the method of administration. When using a syringe pump to administer intravenous fluids or medicines to neonates, a bag of fluid should not be left connected to the syringe.
Chemical and physical stability of any additive medication at the pH of Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion in the VIAFLO container should be established prior to use. From a microbiological point of view, the diluted product must be used immediately unless dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions are the responsibility of the user.
Mix the solution thoroughly when additives have been introduced. Do not store solutions containing additives. For single use only. When additive is used, verify tonicity prior to parenteral administration. Thorough and careful aseptic mixing of any additive is mandatory. Solutions containing additives should be used immediately after preparation, unless preparation has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.
When using an infusion pump all clamps on the intravenous administration set must be closed before removing the administration set from the pump, or switching the pump off. This is required regardless of whether the administration set has an anti free flow device.
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5. Incompatibilities of additive medications As with all parenteral solutions, before adding medications, compatibility of these additives with the solution in the VIAFLO container must be assessed. It is the responsibility of the physician to judge the incompatibility of an additive medication with Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion by checking for eventual colour change and/or eventual precipitate, insoluble complexes or the appearance of crystals. The Instructions for Use of the medication to be added must be consulted. Before adding a drug, verify that it is soluble and stable in water at the pH of Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion. When a compatible medication is added to this formulation, the solution must be administered immediately, unless dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions. As a guide, the following medications are incompatible with Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride & Glucose Infusion, although this list is not exhaustive:
Baxter and Viaflo are trademarks of Baxter International lnc.
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Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18 % and Glucose 4% Solution for Infusion BP comes as infusion. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18 % and Glucose 4% Solution for Infusion BP is glucose monohydrate, potassium chloride, sodium chloride.
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: 5% GLUCOSE INTRAVENOUS INFUSION SOLUTION, Potassium Chloride 0.15 % w/v and Glucose 10 % w/v Solution for Infusion BP, Potassium Chloride 0.15 % w/v and Glucose 5% w/v Solution for Infusion -BP. In total there are 26 equivalent products. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18 % and Glucose 4% Solution for Infusion BP, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Prevention and treatment of potassium, sodium and chloride depletion due to a loss of gastrointestinal fluid (vomiting, diarrhoea, surgical drainage, gastric suction, small intestinal bypass procedure, or small bowel fistula), a chronic abuse of laxative, malabsorption syndromes, mucus secreting villous adenoma of the small intestine, or renal salt-losing conditions (renal disorders, overuse of diuretics), particularly in cases (e.g. starvation) where a source of energy is required.
Posology
Adults, the Elderly and Children
The choice of the specific potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and glucose concentration, dosage, volume, rate and duration of administration depends on the age, weight and clinical condition of the patient and concomitant therapy, and administration should be determined by a physician. For patients with electrolyte and glucose abnormalities and for paediatric patients, consult a physician experienced in intravenous fluid therapy.
Fluid balance, serum glucose, serum sodium and other electrolytes should be monitored before and during administration, especially in patients with increased non-osmotic vasopressin release (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, SIADH) and in patients co-medicated with vasopressin agonist drugs due to the risk of hyponatraemia. Monitoring of serum sodium is particularly important for physiologically hypotonic fluids.
Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18% and Glucose 4% solution may become extremely hypotonic after administration due to glucose metabolisation in the body (see sections 4.4, 4.5 and 4.8).
Typical doses of potassium for the prevention of hypokalaemia may be up to 50 mmoles daily and similar doses may be adequate in mild potassium deficiency. In severe acute hypokalaemia, up to 20 mmoles of potassium in 500 ml over 2 to 3 hours under ECG control. Patients with renal impairment should receive lower doses.
The maximum recommended dose of potassium is 2 to 3 mmol/kg/24h. The rate should not exceed 10 to 40 mmol/h to avoid hyperkalaemia. For peripheral infusions, potassium concentration should be less than 60 mmol/l to avoid pain.
The recommended dosage for the treatment of carbohydrates and fluid depletion is
- for adults: 500 ml to 3 Litres/24h
Paediatric Population
- 0-10 kg body weight: 100 ml/kg/24h
- 10-20 kg body weight: 1000 ml + (50 ml /kg over 10 kg) /24h
- > 20 kg body weight: 1500 ml + (20 ml/kg over 20 kg)/24h
Method of administration
The administration is performed by intravenous route using sterile and non-pyrogenic equipment.
Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18% and Glucose 4% solution has an approximate osmolarity of 362 mOsm/L.
Hyperosmolar solutions may cause venous irritation and phlebitis. Thus, any hyperosmolar solutions are recommended to be administered through a large central vein, for thorough and rapid dilution of the hyperosmolar solution.
Intravenous potassium should be administered in a large peripheral or central vein to diminish the risk of causing sclerosis. If infused through a central vein, be sure the catheter is not in the atrium or ventricle to avoid localised hyperkalaemia. Solutions containing potassium should be administered slowly.
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Do not administer unless the solution is clear and the seal is intact (refer to section 6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling).
When introducing additives to Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18% and Glucose 4% solution, the instructions for use of the medication to be added and other relevant literature must be consulted (refer to section 6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling).
Rate of administration
As administered intravenously, potassium should not be given faster than 10 to 40 mmol/h to avoid a dangerous hyperkalaemia. A gradual increase of flow rate should be considered when starting administration of glucose-containing products. Rapid correction of hyponatraemia and hypernatraemia is potentially dangerous (risk of serious neurologic complications) (4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use).
Monitoring
Adequate urine flow must be ensured and careful monitoring of plasma-potassium and other electrolyte concentrations is essential. High dosage or high speed infusion must be performed under ECG control. Electrolyte supplementation may be indicated according to the clinical needs of the patient.
The solution is contraindicated in patients presenting with:
• Known hypersensitivity to the product
• Hyperchloremia and hyperkalaemia that are not related to the concentration effect associated to a volume depletion
• Severe renal insufficiency (with oliguria/anuria)
• Uncompensated heart failure and severe congestive heart failure
• Addison's disease
• Fluid and sodium retention
• Acute ischemic stroke
• Head trauma (first 24 hours)
• Uncompensated diabetes
• Hyperosmolar coma
• Hyperglycaemia
• Hyperlactatemia
• Other known glucose intolerances (such as metabolic stress situations)
Potassium chloride 0.3% w/v, Sodium chloride 0.18% w/v in Glucose 4% w/v is a slightly hypertonic solution. In the body, however, glucose containing fluids can become extremely physiologically hypotonic due to rapid glucose metabolization (see section 4.2).
Depending on the tonicity of the solution, the volume and rate of infusion and depending on a patient's underlying clinical condition and capability to metabolize glucose, intravenous administration of glucose can cause electrolyte disturbances most importantly hypo- or hyperosmotic hyponatraemia.
Potassium should be administered with considerable care to patients with cardiac disease or conditions predisposing to hyperkalaemia such as renal or adrenocortical insufficiency, acute dehydration, or extensive tissue destruction as occurs with severe burns. Regular monitoring of clinical status, serum electrolytes and ECG is advisable in patients receiving potassium therapy, particularly those with cardiac or renal impairment.
Sodium salts should be administered with caution to patients with hypertension, heart failure, peripheral or pulmonary oedema, impaired renal function, pre-eclampsia, or other conditions associated with sodium retention (see also Section 4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction).
In diabetic patients, the amount of infused glucose has to be taken into account and insulin requirements may be modified.
During long term parenteral treatment, a convenient nutritive supply must be given to the patient.
Potassium chloride 0.3%, Sodium chloride 0.18% and Glucose 4% solution contains glucose derived from corn. It should be used with caution in patients with known corn allergies (see section 4.8).
Hyponatraemia
Patients with non-osmotic vasopressin release (e.g. in acute illness, pain, post-operative stress, infections, burns, and CNS diseases), patients with heart-, liver- and kidney diseases and patients exposed to vasopressin agonists (see section 4.5) are at particular risk of acute hyponatraemia upon infusion of hypotonic fluids.
Acute hyponatraemia can lead to acute hyponatraemic encephalopathy (brain oedema) characterized by headache, nausea, seizures, lethargy and vomiting. Patients with brain oedema are at particular risk of severe, irreversible and life-threatening brain injury.
Children, women in the fertile age and patients with reduced cerebral compliance (e.g. meningitis, intracranial bleeding, and cerebral contusion) are at particular risk of the severe and life-threatening brain swelling caused by acute hyponatraemia
Refeeding syndrome
Refeeding severely undernourished patients may result in the refeeding syndrome that is characterized by the shift of potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium intracellularly as the patient becomes anabolic. Thiamine deficiency and fluid retention may also develop. Careful monitoring and slowly increasing nutrient intake while avoiding overfeeding can prevent these complications.
Paediatric Use
The infusion rate and volume depends on the age, weight, clinical and metabolic conditions of the patient, concomitant therapy, and should be determined by a consulting physician experienced in paediatric intravenous fluid therapy.
• Newborns, especially those born premature and with low birth weight, are at increased risk of developing hypo- or hyperglycaemia. Close monitoring during treatment with intravenous glucose solutions is needed to ensure adequate glycemic control, in order to avoid potential long term adverse effects.
• Hypoglycaemia in the newborn can cause, e.g.,
o prolonged seizures,
o coma, and
o cerebral injury.
• Hyperglycaemia has been associated with
o cerebral injury, including intra-ventricular haemorrhage,
o late onset bacterial and fungal infection,
o retinopathy of prematurity,
o necrotizing enterocolitis,
o bronchopulmonary dysplasia
o prolonged length of hospital stay, and
o death.
• Children (including neonates and older children) are at increased risk of developing hyponatraemia as well as for developing hyponatraemic encephalopathy.
• The infusion of hypotonic fluids together with the non-osmotic secretion of ADH may result in hyponatraemia.
• Plasma electrolyte concentrations should be closely monitored in the paediatric population as this population may have impaired ability to regulate fluids and electrolytes.
• Rapid correction of hyponatraemia is potentially dangerous (risk of serious neurologic complications). Dosage, rate, and duration of administration should be determined by a physician experienced in paediatric intravenous fluid therapy.
In order to avoid potentially fatal over infusion of intravenous fluids to the neonate, special attention needs to be paid to the method of administration. When using a syringe pump to administer intravenous fluids or medicines to neonates, a bag of fluid should not be left connected to the syringe.
When using an infusion pump all clamps on the intravenous administration set must be closed before removing the administration set from the pump, or switching the pump off. This is required regardless of whether the administration set has an anti free flow device.
The intravenous infusion device and administration equipment must be frequently monitored.
Blood
Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18% and Glucose 4% solution should not be administered simultaneously with blood through the same administration set because of the possibility of haemolysis.
Geriatric Use
When selecting the type of infusion solution and the volume/rate of infusion for a geriatric patient, consider that geriatric patients are generally more likely to have cardiac, renal, hepatic, and other diseases or concomitant drug therapy.
No studies have been conducted by Baxter.
Both the glycaemic effects and its effects on water and electrolyte balance should be taken into account when using Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18% and Glucose 4% solution in patients treated with other substances that affect glycaemic control, or fluid and/or electrolyte balance.
Caution is advised in patients treated with lithium. Renal sodium and lithium clearance may be increased during administration of Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18% and Glucose 4% solution and can result in decreased lithium levels.
Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18% and Glucose 4% solution should be used with caution in patients treated concurrently or recently with agents or products that can cause Hyperkalaemia or increase the risk of hyperkalaemia, such as potassium sparing diuretics (e.g. amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene).
Administration of potassium in patients treated with such agents is associated with an increased risk of severe and potentially fatal hyperkalaemia, in particular in the presence of other risk factors for hyperkalaemia.
Regarding medications (such as certain antiepileptic and psychotropic medications) that increase the risk of hyponatraemia or sodium and fluid retention, see Special Warnings and Precautions for Use.
Drugs leading to an increased vasopressin effect
The below listed drugs increase the vasopressin effect, leading to reduced renal electrolyte free water excretion and increase the risk of hospital acquired hyponatraemia following inappropriately balanced treatment with i.v. fluids (see sections 4.2, 4.4 and 4.8).
• Drugs stimulating vasopressin release, e.g.: Chlorpropamide, clofibrate, carbamazepine, vincristine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, 3.4-methylenedioxy-N-methamphetamine, ifosfamide, antipsychotics, narcotics
• Drugs potentiating vasopressin action, e.g.: Chlorpropamide, NSAIDs, cyclophosphamide
• Vasopressin analogues, e.g.: Desmopressin, oxytocin, terlipressin
Other medicinal products increasing the risk of hyponatraemia also include diuretics in general and antiepileptics such as oxcarbazepine.
Solutions containing potassium should be used with caution in patients receiving drugs that increase serum potassium concentrations (potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors, cyclosporin, and drugs that contain potassium such as potassium salts of penicillin).
Corticosteroids are associated with the retention of sodium and water, with oedema and hypertension.
Pregnancy
Intrapartum maternal intravenous glucose infusion may result in foetal hyperglycaemia and metabolic acidosis as well as rebound neonatal hypoglycaemia due to fetal insulin production.
Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18% and Glucose 4% solution should be administrated with special caution for pregnant women during labour particularly if administered in combination with oxytocin due to the risk of hyponatraemia (see sections 4.4, 4.5 and 4.8).
Fertility
There is no information on the effects of Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18% and Glucose 4% solution on fertility
Lactation
There is no information on the effects of Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18% and Glucose 4% solution during breast-feeding.
The potential risks and benefits for each specific patient should be carefully considered before administration.
There is no information on the effects of Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18% and Glucose 4% solution on the ability to operate an automobile or other heavy machinery.
The following adverse reactions have been reported in the post-marketing experience, listed by MedDRA System Organ Class (SOC), then by Preferred Term in order of severity, where feasible.
Frequencies cannot be estimated from the available data as all listed adverse reactions are based on spontaneous reporting.
Table 1 Tabulated list of adverse reactions
System Organ Class
Adverse reactions
(Preferred terms)
Frequency
Immune system disorders
Anaphylactic reaction
Hypersensitivity
Not known
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hospital acquired hyponatraemia***
Hyperglycaemia
Nervous system disorders
Hyponatraemic encephalopathy***
Vascular disorders
Phlebitis
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Rash, Pruritus
General disorders and administration site conditions
Injection site reactions including, Infusion site pain, Injection site vesicles, Chills, Pyrexia
Other reaction
Hyperkalaemia
Cardiac arrest*
(*) as a manifestation of rapid intravenous administration and/or of hyperkalaemia
(**)Potential manifestation in patients with allergy to corn, see section 4.4.
(***) Hospital acquired hyponatraemia may cause irreversible brain injury and death due to development of acute hyponatraemic encephalopathy (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).
Venous thrombosis, extravasation, hypervolaemia, sweating, injection site infection and thrombophlebitis have been reported in the post marketing experience with other solutions of similar composition.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme.
Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
Excess administration of Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18% and Glucose 4% solution can cause:
• Hyperglycaemia, adverse effects on water and electrolyte balance, and corresponding complications. For example, severe hyperglycaemia and severe dilutional hyponatraemia and their complications, can be fatal.
• Hyponatraemia (which can lead to CNS manifestations including seizures, coma, cerebral edema and death).
• Fluid overload (which can lead to central and/or peripheral edema).
• Hyperkalaemia, if hyperkalaemia is present or suspected, discontinue the infusion immediately and institute close ECG, laboratory and other monitoring and, as necessary, corrective therapy to reduce serum potassium levels. Manifestations of hyperkalaemia may include:
- disturbances in cardiac conduction and arrhythmias, including bradycardia, heart block, asystole, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation
- hypotension
- muscle weakness up to and including muscular and respiratory paralysis, paresthesia of extremities gastrointestinal symptoms (ileus, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain)
• Arrhythmias and conduction disorders, in addition to arrhythmias and conduction disorders, the ECG shows progressive changes that occur with increasing potassium levels. Possible changes include:
- peaking of T waves,
- loss of P waves, and
- QRS widening
However, the correlation between potassium levels and ECG changes is not precise, and whether or at which potassium level certain ECG signs develop depends on factors such as patient sensitivity, the presence of other electrolyte disorders, and the rapidity of the development of hyperkalaemia. The presence of any ECG findings that are suspected to be caused by hyperkalaemia should be considered a medical emergency.
• See also section 4.4 and 4.8
▪ When assessing an overdose, any additives in the solution must also be considered.
▪ Clinically significant overdose of Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18% and Glucose 4% solution may, therefore, constitute a medical emergency.
▪ Interventions include discontinuation of Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18% and Glucose 4% solution administration, dose reduction, administration of insulin and other measures as indicated for the specific clinical constellation.
Ask anything about Potassium Chloride 0.3%, Sodium Chloride 0.18 % and Glucose 4% Solution for Infusion BP. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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