United States Pharmacopeia 31

(KCl)
Potassium Chloride

Synonyms:

Kalium Chloratum
Kali Chloridum

Molecular Weight: 74.56

 Colorless, elongated prismatic/

cubical crystals OR as white
granular powder
Odorless with saline taste
Neutral to litmus, solutions

 KCl is found in large deposits in the form of silvite and

carnalite; sometimes in combination with NaCl
drug of choice for oral replacement of Potassium (K)
irritating to the gastrointestinal tract, must be entericcoated

Enteric-coated:Coated with a material that permits transit through the

stomach to the small intestine before the medication is released.

Silvite
Natural mineral form of
Potassium Chloride

Carnalite
evaporite mineral, a hydrated
potassium magnesium chloride
with formula KMgCl36(H2O)

USES:

Drug of choice for oral replacement of

Potassium
Component of Ringers Injection and
Solution & Lactated Ringers Injection
INJECTION
- Fluid electrolyte replenisher
- Patients with severe Hypopotassemia
*Deficiency of Potassium in the blood,
resulting to muscle weakness

SOLUTION
- Topical purposes
Treatment of:
Familial Periodic Paralysis
Menieres Syndrome *inbalance, noise in the inner ear
Antidote to Digitalis intoxification

United States Pharmacopeia 31

(CaCl22H2O
Calcium Chloride
)

Synonyms:
Cloruro de Calico
Muriate of Lime
Fosforo de
Homberg
Molecular Weight: 147

 White odorless, slightly translucent granules with

slightly saline taste
Colligiative property less than zero freezing point
Very deliquescent, mixed with lactose to reduce
deliquescence
Irritating to the veins
USES:

Electrolyte replenisher
In Internal Hemorrhages
Certain bone diseases
Nervous disorders
Deficiency of Calcium in the System
Osteomalacia softening of the bones

Buffer Systems in the Body:

1. Bicarbonate/Carbonic Acid (HCO3 /H2CO3)

- Found in plasma and kidneys

2. Monohydrogen/Dihydrogen phosphate (HPO4 2/H2PO4 )

- Found in cells and kidneys
3. Hemoglobin and proteins
- Found in red blood cells
- Buffer for carbonic acid

Acidosis bodys acid levels increase, decrease alkali below norma

Alkalosis alkali levels increase, decreasing acid below normal
(acidosis) 7.38 7.42 (alkalosis)

Compensatory Mechanisms of the Body

Respiratory
Function

Renal Function

Conditions/Cause
s

Buffer System

Metabolic Acidosis

Increased acid
Hyperventilation
excretion by Na-H
HCO3 /H2CO3 Increased excretion
exchange increased
of H2CO3 as CO2
Carbonic acid
NH3 formation HCO3
CO2 + H2O
reabsorption

-HCO3 deficit
Deficit, acidosis, renal
failure, diarrhea

Metabolic Alkalosis

CO2 retention
Increased H2CO3
concentration

Decreased

-H2CO3
Administration of
excess alkali, vomiting

HCO3 /H2CO3

Respiratory Acidosis

Hemoglobin
and protein

Increased CO2
excretion through
the lungs

*Metabolic
Acidosis

*Metabolic
Alkalosis

*Metabolic
Alkalosis

*Metabolic
Alkalosis

-H2CO3 excess
Cardiac disease, lung
damage, drowning

Respiratory
Alkalosis
-H2CO3 deficit
Fever, hysteria, anoxia,

Steps in Kidneys Acid Excretion

1. Glomerular filration
- Sodium salts of mineral and organic acids are
removed from the plasma
2. Sodium-hydrogen exchange
- Sodium is removed from the renal filtrate/tubular
fluid and tubule cells
Na + H2CO3 Na + HCO3 + H
3. Sodium Bicarbonate returns to the plasma and
removed from the lungs as CO2
3 Mechanisms Maintaining the Normal Acid-Base
Balance of the Plasma
1. Buffers of the body fluids and red blood cells
2. Pulmonary excretion excess CO2
3. Renal excretion of either acid or base, whichever is excess