KCitrate - Frequently Asked Questions

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QUESTION

My creatinine is 20. I am awaiting a transplant. I have my potassium and base excess carefully monitored by blood work. My doctor prescribes inexpensive sodium bicarb. I have not been able to find any studies that say this increases kidney stone formation.

ANSWER

Researchers at the Mayo did studies with PKD models in 1994 and 1997. This is when it was first discovered that alkalinity improved PKD and acidity worsened it and that sodium bicarbonate caused kidney stones to form in PKD'rs.

 

QUESTION

I am taking over the counter Potassium Citrate. It says each tablet is: Potassium 99 mg (from 258.6mg Potassium Citrate)....what does that mean? Should I be taking 5 or 6 of these pills a day?

ANSWER

To change mg of elemental potassium to mEq, take the number of mg and divide it by 39.0983 (atomic weight of potassium).  For example, 99 mg is equivalent to 2.53 mEq.  Conversely, if you know the mEq, multiply by 39.0983 to find the elemental potassium.  For example, 2 mEq is equal to 78.0 mg. Potassium levels can become dangerously high if not followed closely by blood laboratory work. Animal PKD models received the equivalent of 15 mEq of potassium daily. This would be 9 - 10 tablets of the OTC over the counter potassium citrate 99 mg.

 

QUESTION

How does one begin potassium citrate?

ANSWER

Potassium citrate needs the help of your physician. Before beginning a urinary citrate will let you know if you are low in citrate (this is likely to be true with PKD). Get a base potassium, after a week repeat the potassium, then once every two weeks, then once a month, then once every three months, then once every six months then once a year. Continue to test your nightly urinary pH. ACE inhibitors, ARB raise serum potassium; check the prescribing information. Become familiar with low and high potassium symptoms. Here is a listing of some potassium foods.

QUESTION

I currently take sodium bicarbonate. I am interested in switching to sodium citrate. How do I do this?

ANSWER

Contact your physician to prescribe sodium citrate. Sodium citrate is also used in ice cream to keep the fat globules from sticking together. Here is a UK site about sodium citrate. Albright's solution contains:  75 g of sodium citrate, 25 g of potassium citrate, 140 g of citric acid, and 1000 mL of water. It is used in the treatment of renal tubular acidosis. Sodium citrate by prescription is available through a chemist shop. In the USA it is called: Bicitra Oracit Several tablets are made by Thomson MICROMEDEX and contain sodium citrate and citric acid. Sodium citrate (Bicitra, modified Shohl's solution, Citra pH)

 

QUESTION

Are there medications that raise serum potassium?

ANSWER

Check with your pharmacist or physician about specifics of medications you take. Generally blood pressure medications will raise serum potassium and diuretics will lower potassium.

 

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last updated: Sunday, July 13, 2014 8:00 PM