Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
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 Potassium acid phosphate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for 2. Before you are given Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution
How to take it
4. Possible side effects 5. How to store Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution 6. Further information
1. What Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution is and what it is used for Potassium Acid Phosphate belongs to a group of medicines called electrolytes. Electrolytes are needed by the body to carry out all of its normal functions. Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution, once diluted, is used to put electrolytes back into your body if you have lost them through too much sweating or prolonged diarrhoea and sickness (dehydration).
2. Before you are given Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution You should not be given Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution if:
- you are allergic (hypersensitive) to potassium or phosphate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine, listed in section 6 of this leaflet.
- you have too much phosphate in your body
- you have severe kidney problems
- you suffer from kidney stones
- you suffer from problems with your parathyroid
- you suffer from softening of the bones (osteomalacia or rickets)
- you are suffering from a sudden swelling of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis)
- you suffer from heart disease
- you suffer from a problem with your adrenal glands known as Addison's disease
- you are suffering from dehydration
- you have suffered from severe burns
- you suffer from a disease of the muscles known as myotonia congenita If you are unsure about being given this medicine or you have any questions, talk to your doctor or nurse. Taking other medicines Please tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. Medicines that may interact with Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution include:
- medicines containing potassium
- medicines that make you pass more urine but stop you passing potassium in your urine (potassium sparing diuretics)
- medicines used to treat heart problems and high blood pressure e.g. captopril, enalapril and lisinopril
- steroids such as the adrenocorticoids, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, corticotrophin and anabolic steroids.
- medicines that make you pass more urine (thiazides and other diuretics)
- medicines used to treat an irregular heartbeat such as quinidine, digitalis and mexiletine
- medicines containing salicylates such as aspirin If you have any doubts about whether this medicine should be administered to you, consult your doctor or nurse. Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding ask your doctor for advice before you are given this medicine. Driving and using machines There are no known effects of having Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution on driving or using machines
3. How Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution is given Your doctor or nurse will give you Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution into a vein (intravenously) by slow infusion (drip) once it has been diluted. You should be aware that your doctor may need to monitor your heartbeat during your treatment. Your doctor will decide the amount of Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution you need. Adults (including the elderly) The usual dose is the equivalent of 310mg of phosphorus daily after dilution. Children The usual dose is the equivalent of 46.5 to 62mg of phosphorus daily after dilution If you think you have been given too much Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution As this medicine will be given to you whilst you are in hospital, it is unlikely that you will be given too little or too much, however, tell your doctor or nurse if you have any concerns.
4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Possible side effects
include:
- water retention (swelling of the feet or lower legs and weight gain)
- confusion
- tiredness or weakness
- irregular or slow heartbeat
- numbness or tingling around lips, hands or feet
- unexplained anxiety
- weakness or heaviness of legs
- shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
- convulsions,
- decrease in amount of urine or in frequency of urination
- fast heartbeat,
- headache or dizziness
- increased thirst
- muscle cramps
- numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in hands or feet Some of these side effects may be caused by having too many or too few electrolytes in your body. Your doctor may have to do tests to check this. If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or nurse.
How to store it
Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children. You should not be given Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution after the expiry date which is printed on the carton and ampoule label. The doctor or nurse will check that the expiry date on the label has not passed before administering the injection to you. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
6. Further Information What Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution contains The active substance is potassium acid phosphate 13.6% w/v The other ingredients are disodium edetate and water for injections What Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution looks like and contents of the pack Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution is a clear, colourless solution supplied in clear glass ampoules containing 10ml of the solution. Each carton contains 10 ampoules. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Martindale Pharmaceuticals Bampton Road Harold Hill Romford Essex, RM3 8UG UK If you would like any more information, or would like the leaflet in a different format, please contact Medical Information at the above address. This leaflet was last revised in March 2009. Product licence number: PL 01883/0013
C9133600000
100mm Measurement Verification Bar
Frequently asked questions about Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution
How do I take Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution?
Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution comes as solution. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution?
The active substance in Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution is potassium acid phosphate.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution without a prescription?
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.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: potassium acid phosphate
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
As a source of potassium ions and phosphate ions in electrolyte replacement therapy.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
The normal concentration of serum inorganic phosphate is 3 to 4.5mg (0.03 to 0.045mmol) per 100ml in adults and 4 to 7 mg (0.04 to 0.07mmol) per 100ml in children.Before administration, the concentrated phosphate injection must be diluted and thoroughly mixed with a larger volume of fluid.The dose and rate of administration must be individualised.When used as an electrolyte replenisher, a dose of the equivalent of 10 to 15mmol (310mg to 465mg) of phosphorus a day is usually sufficient to maintain normal serum phosphate, although larger amounts may be required in hypermetabolic states.The solution should be infused slowly to avoid phosphate intoxication. Usual adult and adolescent dose
As an electrolyte replenisherThe equivalent of 10mmol (310mg) of phosphorus a day by intravenous infusion Usual Paediatric use
As an electrolyte replenisherThe equivalent of 1.5 to 2 mmol (46.5 to 62mg) of phosphorus a day by intravenous infusion.
4.3. Contraindications
Hyperphosphataemia Renal function impairment severe - less than 30% of normal Urolithiasis Risk - Benefit should be considered when the following medical problems exist(reasons given when appropriate): Conditions in which high phosphate concentrations may be encountered, such as Hypoparathyroidism Chronic Renal Disease. Conditions in which low calcium concentrations may be encountered, such as: Hypoparathyroidism Osteomalacia Acute Pancreatitis. Chronic Renal disease. Rickets Sensitivity to Potassium or Phosphates. Cardiac disease, particularly in digitalised patients. Conditions in which high potassium concentrations may be encountered, such as: Severe adrenal insufficiency - Addison's diseaseAcute dehydration.Severe renal insufficiency.Extensive tissue breakdown, such as severe burns. Myotonia congenita
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
The product must be diluted before use.Electrocardiogram (may be required at regular intervals during intravenous therapy)
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Interactions with other medications include Captopril, Potassium - Sparing Diuretics, Enalapril, Lisinopril, Adrenocorticoids, Glucocorticoids (especially those with significant mineralocorticoid activity), Mineralocorticoids, Corticotropin (ACTH), Anabolic Steroids or Androgens.Interaction with potassium containing medications (concurrent use with potassium phosphate may result in hyperkalaemia; patient should have serum potassium concentration determinations at periodic intervals). Interaction with Digitalis Glycosides
Use of potassium phosphate injection in digitalised patients with severe or complete heart block is not recommended because of possible hyperkalaemia. Interaction with Diuretics or Thiazides
Concurrent use with phosphate may cause or worsen renal damage. Interaction with Mexiletine
May lead to marked acidification of urine by monobasic potassium phosphate and potassium and sodium phosphates combination may accelerate excretion of Mexiletine. Interaction with Quinidine
Concurrent use with potassium phosphate usually enhances effects of the Quinidine. Interaction with Salicylates
Concurrent use with potassium and sodium phosphates combination or monobasic potassium phosphate may increase plasma concentrations of salicylates since salicylate excretion is decreased in acidified urine; addition of these phosphates to patients stabilised on a salicylate may lead to toxic salicylate concentrations.
4.6. Pregnancy and lactation
There has been no adequate and well controlled studies carried out in this area in either humans or animals.It is not known if phosphates are excreted in breast milk. However problems in nursing infants have not been documented.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
None stated
4.8. Undesirable effects
Undesirable effects include:Fluid retention (swelling of feet or lower legs and weight gain).Hyperkalemia (confusion, tiredness or weakness, irregular or slow heartbeat, numbness or tingling around lips, hands or feet, unexplained anxiety, weakness or heaviness of legs, shortness of breath or troubled breathing).Hypernatremia (confusion, tiredness or weakness, convulsions, decrease in amount of urine or in frequency of urination, fast heartbeat, headache or dizziness, increased thirst).Hyperphosphataemia.Hypocalcemic tetany (muscle cramps, numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in hands or feet, shortness of breath or troubled breathing).
4.9. Overdose
May result in hyperkalaemia and hyperphosphataemia.Recommended treatment consists of the following:-Withholding administration of phosphatesCorrecting deficient serum electrolyte concentrations (such as that of calcium)
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Sterile Potassium Acid Phosphate Solution. 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.