Potassium is a mineral that is found in many foods and is needed for several functions of your body, especially the beating of your heart.

Potassium citrate is used to treat a kidney stone condition called renal tubular acidosis.

Potassium citrate may also be used for other purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medication if you have kidney failure, a urinary tract infection, uncontrolled diabetes, a peptic ulcer in your stomach, Addison's disease, severe burns or other tissue injury, if you are dehydrated, if you take certain diuretics (water pills), or if you have high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia).

You should not take potassium citrate tablets if you have problems with your esophagus, stomach, or intestines that make it difficult for you to swallow or digest pills.

Do not crush, chew, break, or suck on an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking or crushing the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. Sucking on a potassium tablet can irritate your mouth or throat.

Avoid lying down for at least 30 minutes after you take this medication.

Take this medication with a meal or bedtime snack, or within 30 minutes after a meal.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. Your heart rate may also be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG) to measure electrical activity of the heart. This test will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with potassium. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Serious side effects of potassium citrate include uneven heartbeat, muscle weakness or limp feeling, severe stomach pain, and numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or mouth.

Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking potassium suddenly, your condition may become worse.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to it, or if you have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have:

• high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia);

• kidney failure;

• a urinary tract infection;

• untreated or uncontrolled diabetes;

• Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder);

• a large tissue injury such as a severe burn;

• a peptic ulcer in your stomach;

• if you are severely dehydrated; or

• if you are taking a "potassium-sparing" diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic), spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide).

You should not take potassium citrate tablets if you have problems with your esophagus, stomach, or intestines that make it difficult for you to swallow or digest pills.

Before using potassium citrate, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease;

• congestive heart failure, enlarged heart, or history of heart attack;

• other heart disease or high blood pressure;

• diabetes;

• a blockage in your stomach or intestines; or

• chronic diarrhea (such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease).

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take potassium citrate.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether potassium passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.