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Potassium and Sodium Phosphates
Brand Name(s): K Phos®
WHY is this medicine prescribed?
Potassium and sodium phosphates is used to provide a source of phosphorus to the body. It also is used to increase the acidity of the urine.Potassium and sodium phosphates is in a class of medications called urinary acidifiers.It works by providing additional amounts of phosphorus to the body.
Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
HOW should this medicine be used?
Potassium and sodium phosphates comes as a tablet to take by mouth.Take four times a day, unless your doctor recommends to take it more frequently.Take potassium and sodium phosphates at around the same times every day.
Take potassium and sodium phosphates exactly as directed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?
Before taking potassium and sodium phosphates,
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tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this drug, any part of this drug, or any otherdrugs, foods or substances.Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and whatsymptoms you had.
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tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking potassium and sodium phosphates.Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
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the following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with potassium and sodium phosphates: antacids containing magnesium, aluminum, or calcium. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking thesemedications before you start taking potassium and sodium phosphates. Do not start any of these medications whiletaking potassium and sodium phosphates without discussing with your healthcare provider.
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tell your doctor if you have infected phosphate stones, high levels of phosphate in your blood, or kidney disease.Your doctor may tell you not to take potassium and sodium phosphates.
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tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, high levels of sodium in the blood, preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), inflammation of the pancreas, Addison's disease (body doesn't make enough of certain hormones) or thyroid, lung, heart, or liver disease.
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tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?
Potassium and sodium phosphates may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain
- bone and joint pain
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- (Hyper K) numbness or tingling around lips; numbness, tingling, pain, orweakness of hands or feet; fast or irregular heartbeat;shortness of breath or troubled breathing
- (Hypo K) unusual tiredness or weakness, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps
- (Hyper Na) decreased urination, unusual thirst, mental confusion, swelling or weakness of feet or lower legs, unusual weightgain, seizures
- (Hypo Na) headaches, dizziness, mental confusion, muscle weakness and cramps, seizures
Potassium and sodium phosphates may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light, excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child resistant.Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up andaway and out of their sight and reach https://www.upandaway.org
Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot takethem. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk toyour pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal ofMedicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.
What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to potassium and sodium phosphates.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking potassium and sodium phosphates.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicinesvitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each timeyou visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you incase of emergencies.
This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.
AHFS® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2025. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.
Selected Revisions: March 15, 2025.
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