Span K (Potassium Chloride 600mg)

Span-K general information

What is Span-K used for?

Span-K tablets 600mg are used as a potassium supplement to treat potassium deficiency (hypokalemia) due to a wide range of conditions, when a diet rich in potassium cannot be guaranteed.  A potassium deficiency can cause symptoms including fatigue, muscle cramping and spasm, irregular heartbeat, gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting and constipation, thirst and passing of large amounts of urine, fainting due to low blood pressure.

Diuretics are a common medication for the long term treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension), heart failure and oedema (fluid retention).  Certain diuretics such as thiazide diuretics like chlorothiazide and loop diuretics like furosemide, cause potassium deficiency due to their effect on the kidneys where salt regulation is controlled.  This can result in hypochloraemic (low chloride ions) or hypokalaemic (low potassium ions) alkalosis, which is an increase in blood alkalinity and can be life-threatening if not treated.  This is particularly important for patients taking digitalis as its clinical effectiveness is seriously affected by hypokalaemia. 

Conditions that can cause hypokalemia include renal disease associated with increased potassium excretion, such as nephrotic syndrome, characterised by increased protein in the urine due to damage to the glomeruli (clusters of small blood vessels that filter blood); vomiting and diarrhoea; ulcerative colitis (a severe inflammatory bowel disease), steatorrhoea (excess fat in the stools), diabetes insipidus, a metabolic condition unrelated to diabetes, that is due to loss of salt and water regulation of and characterised by secretion of large amounts of dilute urine and extreme thirst; uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (loss of control of blood sugar).

Hypokalemia can result from ileostomy or colostomy (surgery to remove the intestine or bowel); cirrhosis (loss of liver function due to long-term damage). 

High levels of the hormone cortisol (also known as the stress hormone) are also associated with hypokalemia and can result in Cushing's syndrome.  This can be due to prolonged or intensive treatment with corticosteroids, ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone), a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that regulates cortisol secretion, and carbenoxolone, a drug used to treat ulcers that can supress the hormonal renin-angiotensin system, the hormonalsystem that controls salt and water regulation and blood pressure.  Hyperaldosteronism is a condition in which the adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone, a hormone involved in control of salt and water regulation and this can result in hypokalemia.  Hyperaldosteronism can be associated with megaloblastic anaemia (a disorder of the red blood cells), during the early stages of treatment.

Span-K tablets 600mg help restore normal potassium levels following the loss of potassium due to dietary deficiency, a disorder that causes or results in potassium loss, or to treatment with certain medications.

How does Span-K work?

Span-K tablets 600mg contain potassium chloride that is used to treat all types of potassium deficiency.  Potassium is an essential micronutrient that is only available from the diet.  It is a mineral and electrolyte that has an important role to play in many physiological processes, including conduction of nerve impulses, normal heart function and blood pressure, salt and water balance, maintaining blood pH (alkalinity/acidity), and muscle contraction and digestion.  Potassium chloride in Span-K is formulated as crystals coated with an inert, soluble wax, then pressed into a wax matrix and sugar coated.  After swallowing, the tablet does not disintegrate, instead the potassium chloride leaches out of the wax and this sustained release ensures the correct amount of potassium is absorbed into the blood  to correct all types of deficiency.  Span-K ensures that both the chloride and potassium ions are replaced, which is why it is suitable to treat both hypochloraemic and hypokalaemic alkalosis. 

What does Span-K contain?

Span-K tablets 600mg contain the active ingredient potassium chloride, used as a potassium supplement to treat potassium deficiency (hypokalemia) due to a wide range of conditions, when a diet rich in potassium cannot be guaranteed.  They also contain stearic acid, macrogol 6000, ethylcellulose, cocoa powder, sucrose, gelatin, calcium carbonate, magnesium stearate, purified talc, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, titanium dioxide, povidone, hydrogenated castor oil, PVP/VA copolymer.

Treating potassium deficiency with Span-K

Span-K tablets 600mg contain potassium chloride, a mineral and electrolyte used as a potassium supplement to treat potassium deficiency (hypokalemia) due to a wide range of conditions, when a diet rich in potassium cannot be guaranteed.  These include hypokalemia due to medication like diuretics; conditions like kidney disease, vomiting and diarrhoea, ulcerative colitis and diabetes insipidus; bowel surgery; and high levels of cortisol.  Potassium has an important role to play in many physiological processes, including conduction of nerve impulses, normal heart function and blood pressure, salt and water balance, maintaining blood pH (alkalinity/acidity) muscle contraction and digestion.  A deficiency of potassium can cause symptoms including fatigue, muscle cramping and spasm, irregular heartbeat, gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting and constipation, thirst and passing of large amounts of urine, fainting due to low blood pressure.  Potassium chloride in Span-K is formulated as crystals coated with an inert, soluble wax, then pressed into a wax matrix and sugar coated, and leaches out of the wax resulting in sustained release and absorption of the correct amount of potassium to correct all types of deficiency.  Span-K tablets 600mg help restore normal potassium levels following the loss of potassium due to dietary deficiency, a disorder that causes or results in potassium loss or to treatment with certain medications.

What are the side effects of Span-K?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Span-K include provoke gastrointestinal disturbances, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

When should Span-K not be used?

You should not use Span-K tablets 600mg if you:

• are allergic to potassium chloride or any ingredients in Span-K
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have any form of severe tissue destruction including burns
• have advanced renal failure
• have untreated Addison's disease (a disorder of the adrenal glands)
• have acute dehydration, hyperkalaemia or obstruction in the digestive tract, (oesophagus, stomach of intestines)
• have metabolic acidosis (acidity of the blood)
• are taking medicines that interact with Span-K including potassium sparing diuretic agents such as spironolactone, triamterene or amiloride

How should Span-K be taken?

You should take your Span-K tablets 600mg swallowed whole with a glass of water and with food, three times daily.  The dose you take and for how long should be as recommended by your doctor.  You should continue to take your Span-K tablets 600mg for as long as recommended by your doctor.

How long should you take Span-K?

You should continue to take your Span-K tablets 600mg for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Span-K

If you miss a dose of Span-K tablets 600mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Span-K be stored?

You should store your Span-K tablets 600mg below 25°C in a cool dry place and protect from light.