Greater Glasgow and Clyde Medicines
Key to symbols The medicine should be initiated by, or on the advice of a specialist, but is suitable for continuation by a GP The medicine should only be used and prescribed by a specialist Indicates the preferred choice within a class or group of medicines
The medicine should be initiated by, or on the advice of a specialist, but is suitable for continuation by a GP
The medicine should only be used and prescribed by a specialist
Indicates the preferred choice within a class or group of medicines
9.2.1. Oral preparations for fluid and electrolyte imbalance

9.2.1.1. Oral potassium

Preferred List
POTASSIUM CHLORIDE

Prescribing Notes:

Available in several formulations:

  • effervescent tablets (Sando-K®), each containing 12mmol of potassium.
  • syrup (Kay-Cee-L®) containing 1mmol potassium in 1ml.  

A potassium-sparing diuretic and potassium supplements should not be used concomitantly because of the risk of hyperkalaemia.

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Total Formulary
CALCIUM POLYSTYRENE SULPHONATE

Restrictions:

For use within the acute (hospital) sector only.

Prescribing Notes:

Please note, different preparations of calcium polystyrene sulphonate may require different dosing schedules.

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Specialist Only
PATIROMER (Veltassa) (oral suspension)

Restrictions:

Restricted to specialist use in the emergency care setting for the treatment of acute, life-threatening hyperkalaemia alongside standard care.

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Specialist and GP
Patiromer

Restrictions:

Restricted to specialist initiation in patients with hyperkalaemia (serum potassium >6.0mmol/L) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3b to 5 and/or heart failure who would otherwise need to downtitrate or discontinue their renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor (RAASi) therapy to maintain a clinically acceptable serum potassium level.

Prescribing Notes:

Please refer to section 9.2.1.1 for treatment of acute, life-threatening hyperkalaemia.

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Specialist Only
SODIUM POLYSTYRENE SULPHONATE

Restrictions:

Restricted to specialist use only.

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Specialist Only
SODIUM ZIRCONIUM CYCLOSILICATE (LOKELMA)

Restrictions:

Restricted to specialist use in the emergency care setting for the treatment of acute, life-threatening hyperkalaemia alongside standard care.

Prescribing Notes:

Please refer to section 7.5.3 for treatment of hyperkalaemia in chronic kidney disease.

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Specialist and GP
SODIUM ZIRCONIUM CYCLOSILICATE (LOKELMA) (oral suspension)

Restrictions:

Restricted to specialist initiation in patients with hyperkalaemia (serum potassium >6.0mmol/L) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3b to 5 and/or heart failure who would otherwise need to down-titrate or discontinue their renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor (RAASi) therapy to maintain a clinically acceptable serum potassium level. 

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