Effect of potassium chloride supplements on upper gastrointestinal mucosa.

Abstract

Eight controlled 1- or 2-wk experiments involving 225 healthy male subjects and one study of 18 patients with hypertension, nine of whom were long-term users of a wax-matrix potassium chloride preparation, were conducted to evaluate the upper gastrointestinal safety of oral KCl supplements. All subjects in the short-term studies had normal upper gastrointestinal tracts. Subjects were examined again after at least 7 days of treatment with one of three commonly prescribed wax-matrix KCl tablets, KCl liquid, microencapsulated KCl, a potassium- sparer , or placebo. Some received an anticholinergic drug with treatment to induce delayed gastric motility. Diet and compliance to treatment regimens were controlled. Results indicate that upper mucosal injury, particularly erosions (43%) and ulcerations (11%), were more frequent after wax-matrix tablets. These changes occurred much less frequently after liquid KCl (0%), microencapsulated KCl (10.5% erosions, 1.2% ulcers), and the potassium-sparing drug (0%). More serious and more frequent lesions were associated with slowed motility. No occult bleeding was noted. Symptomatic complaints did not correlate with endoscopic findings. In the long-term study, patients with hypertension were examined endoscopically after 19 to 23 mo on KCl and again after 1 wk. Six of nine of the patients with hypertension treated for nearly 2 yr with a wax-matrix KCl supplement had significant lesions. One had developed ulceration after 7 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

• Authors: F G McMahon, J R Ryan, K Akdamar, A Ertan
• Journal: Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (Clin Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 35 Issue 6 Pg. 852-5 (Jun 1984) ISSN: 0009-9236 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6734038 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Potassium Chloride
• Glycopyrrolate

Topics

• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Endoscopy
• Gastric Mucosa (drug effects, pathology)
• Glycopyrrolate (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Hypertension (drug therapy)
• Intestinal Mucosa (drug effects, pathology)
• Male
• Potassium Chloride (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Random Allocation
• Stomach Ulcer (chemically induced)
• Time Factors