K-Citrate

K-Citrate, also known as potassium citrate, is a prescription medicine used to prevent and manage certain types of kidney stones. It works by increasing urinary citrate levels and raising urine pH, making the urine less acidic and less likely to promote stone formation. It belongs to a group of medicines called urinary alkalinizing agents.

It is commonly prescribed for people who develop kidney stones due to low citrate levels in the urine (hypocitraturia) or excessive urine acidity. It is available as extended-release tablets and must be taken as prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Below is a quick overview of important K-Citrate facts for patients and caregivers:

Potassium citrate is prescribed to help prevent certain types of kidney stones by correcting low urinary citrate levels and reducing urine acidity. It is commonly used for the following conditions:

• Uric acid lithiasis, with or without calcium stones
• Hypocitraturic calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis
• Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) with calcium stones.

Potassium citrate works by altering the chemical balance of urine in two key ways:

• Raises urinary citrate levels, which bind to calcium and reduce stone formation
• Increases urine pH, making urine less acidic and less favorable for uric acid and calcium stone development

These effects help create an environment in which kidney stones are less likely to form, and existing stones may be prevented from enlarging.

The potassium citrate dosage guide is primarily based on urinary citrate levels and urine pH. The primary treatment goals are to return urinary citrate levels to normal (more than 320 mg/day, ideally approaching 640 mg/day) and to maintain urinary pH within the target range of 6.0 to 7.0.

Treatment with potassium citrate extended-release tablets should be combined with:

• Enhancement of high fluid intake (urine output of at least 2 liters per day)
• Limit dietary salt intak

The recommended average adult dosage is given below:

Regular monitoring of kidney function and serum electrolytes is recommended; electrocardiograms (ECGs) may be required in high-risk patients due to the risk of hyperkalemia-induced cardiac arrhythmias during treatment. Additionally, doses greater than 100 mEq per day have not been studied and should be avoided.

An overdose of potassium citrate is uncommon when taken as prescribed. However, excessive consumption may result in hyperkalemia, a critical condition marked by unusually high potassium levels in the bloodstream. Hence, in case of potassium citrate overdose, it is recommended that you seek immediate professional medical attention or contact a poison control center.

Commonly reported potassium citrate side effects are given below in the table:

Before starting potassium citrate, tell your doctor if you are:

• Pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• Breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
• Having kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, or significant dehydration
• Taking prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or herbal supplements

Do not use potassium citrate if:

• You have high potassium levels (hyperkalemia)
• You have chronic renal failure or severe renal impairment
• You have delayed gastric emptying, intestinal obstruction, or peptic ulcer disease.

Discuss any active infection with your doctor before use, as changes in urine pH may impact infection dynamics.

Before taking potassium citrate, consult with a doctor if you have the following conditions:

• Kidney disease
• Heart conditions
• Dehydration
• Gastrointestinal disorders

It is recommended to monitor blood potassium levels and renal function regularly during long-term therapy.

Potassium citrate can interact with several medications. Some of the main potassium citrate interactions are listed below:

• Medicines that may increase potassium levels:
  • K-sparing diuretics (such as amiloride, spironolactone, or triamterene)
  • ACE inhibitors (such as enalapril, lisinopril, or captopril)
  • ARBs (such as valsartan or losartan)
  • NSAIDs (such as naproxen or ibuprofen)
• Medications that increase gastrointestinal risk:
  • Medications that slow digestion
  • Anticholinergic drugs
• Medications affected by changes in potassium levels or cardiac conduction:
  • Digoxin (changes in serum potassium may alter digoxin effects and increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias)

Potassium citrate has various known disease contraindications, including:

• Hyperkalemia
• Renal insufficiency
• Peptic ulcer
• Active urinary tract infection
• Gastrointestinal disorders

Long-term kidney stone prevention often requires ongoing treatment, which can become expensive at U.S. pharmacies. Choosing Polar Bear Meds to buy K-Citrate online from Canada can save time and reduce stress over pricing. New customers can use our coupon code “WELCOMEPB10” at checkout to receive an additional 10% off on the K-Citrate cost.

We ship medications from licensed Canadian pharmacies to customers across the United States. Additionally, you can expect delivery of potassium citrate within 3-5 business days via Xpress Post shipping. Always make sure that you have a valid prescription for K-Citrate before ordering.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace expert medical guidance, diagnosis, or treatment. K-Citrate is a prescription-only medicine for specific kidney-related conditions. Always consult an authorized healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing K-Citrate dosages. Individual results, side effects, and dosing needs may vary.

• https://hfpappexternal.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/index.cfm?set=FoodSubstances&id=POTASSIUMCITRATE
• https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/019071s012lbl.pdf
• https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=72cdea1b-2240-41db-987d-86d5c6aaa978#:~:text=Drug%20Label%20Information&text=If%20you%20are%20a%20consumer,See%20full%20prescribing%20...&text=for%20Oral%20Use-,These%20highlights%20do%20not%20include%20all%20the%20information%20needed%20to,information%20for%20Urocit%20%C2%AE%2DK
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• https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/psg/Potassium%20citrate_oral%20ER%20tablet_NDA%2019071_RV11-17.pdf
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• https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/spl/data/042721ed-7f5d-47f1-beff-b54ba88bcd27/042721ed-7f5d-47f1-beff-b54ba88bcd27.xml#ID89
• https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=ac173781-486b-461c-97ae-8b5c69e20792&type=display#:~:text=6%20ADVERSE%20REACTIONS-,6.1%20Postmarketing%20Experience,intact%20matrices%20in%20their%20feces