Slow-K
Tablets 600 mg
potassium chloride
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
- If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
The information in this leaflet has been divided into the following sections:
1. What Slow-K is and what it is taken for
2. Check before you take Slow-K
3. How to take Slow-K
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Slow-K
6. Further information
What Slow-K is and what it is taken for
Slow-K belongs to a group of medicines called potassium supplements.
Slow-K contains potassium and is used to treat or prevent low levels of potassium in your body. Slow-K tablets are modified release tablets which means that the potassium is released slowly from the tablet.
Whilst on this medicine your doctor will want to measure your blood levels of potassium on a regular basis.
Check before you take Slow-K
Do not take Slow-K:
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to potassium chloride or any of the ingredients of Slow-K (see Section 6 Further information)
- if you have been told by your doctor you have kidney failure
- if you have Addison’s disease (which is a condition where your adrenal gland is not producing enough steroids)
- if you have recently suffered from severe burns
- if you suffer from digestive problems or have difficulty swallowing (due to a narrowing or blockage of your gullet (food pipe) or intestines)
- if you have been told you have metabolic acidosis (a condition caused by increased acid levels in the blood)
- if you are dehydrated (you may feel thirsty with a dry mouth)
- if you have high blood potassium levels (which can cause an abnormal heartbeat)
- if you suffer from a condition called hyporeninaemic hypoaldosteronism (where your body is low on an enzyme called renin and a hormone called aldosterone which normally helps to control your blood pressure)
- if you are taking a potassium sparing diuretic (a specific type of water tablet) e.g. spironolactone or amiloride hydrochloride.
Take special care with Slow-K
Before you take Slow-K tell your doctor if you:
- have had an ostomy (an operation to remove part of your bowels)
- suffer from heart disease (which may cause chest pain, shortness of breath or ankle swelling)
- suffer from kidney problems
- have or have ever had a stomach ulcer.
Do not give Slow-K to children.
If any of the above applies to you, or if you are not sure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you take Slow-K.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have taken any of the following medicines as they may interfere with Slow-K:
- diuretics (“water tablets”): for water retention or high blood pressure (if you are taking potassium sparing diuretics, stop taking Slow-K, see the section ‘Do not take Slow-K’)
- ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers: for high blood pressure or heart problems such as captopril or atenolol
- ciclosporin: for transplants, rheumatic disease or skin complaints
- non steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs): for pain relief or rheumatism such as aspirin or naproxen
- heparin: used to thin the blood
- digoxin: for an irregular heartbeat
- anticholinergics: for abdominal or stomach spasms or cramps such as atropine sulphate or hyoscine butylbromide.
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Taking with food and drink
You must take your tablets with fluid during a meal.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Your doctor will only give you Slow-K if you really need it, especially during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Slow-K is a modified release tablet, which means it takes a long time to dissolve. When you are pregnant your digestive system works more slowly and so Slow-K tablets take longer to pass through your system. This could mean you do not receive the correct amount of potassium from your Slow-K tablets.
Slow-K should not be taken during breast-feeding unless your doctor considers that the benefits for you are greater than the risks to the child..
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Slow-K
Slow-K contains sucrose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
How to take Slow-K
Always take Slow-K exactly as your doctor has told you to. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The usual dose is 2 to 3 tablets a day. Your doctor will decide when and how to treat you with Slow-K. Your doctor may tell you to take up to 12 tablets a day.
- The tablets should not all be taken at once but spread out during the day and taken with your meals.
- Take your tablets with fluid during a meal and whilst sitting upright.
- Swallow them whole.
- Do not break or chew them. This is important as the tablets release potassium slowly. If you chew the tablets, this could damage the tablet and let the potassium out too quickly and this could cause stomach problems.
What to do if you take more Slow-K than you should
If you accidentally take too many tablets, or someone else takes your medicine, you should tell your doctor at once or contact your nearest accident and emergency department. Show any left-over medicines or the empty packet to the doctor.
If you forget to take Slow-K
Do not worry. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as possible, unless it is almost time to take the next dose. Do not take a double dose. Then go on as before.
Possible side effects
Do not worry. Like all medicines, Slow-K can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Side effects with Slow-K are rare (affect less than 1 person in 1000).
If you get any of the following tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately as they may tell you to stop taking Slow-K:
- severe sickness (feeling sick or being sick)
- trapped wind or indigestion
- severe stomach pains
- diarrhoea.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you think you have any of these or other problems with Slow-K.
Other rare side effects (that affect less than 1 person in 1000):
- high blood levels of potassium (which can cause an abnormal heartbeat)
- itching and skin rashes (nettle rash).
Very rare side effects (that affect less than 1 person in 10 000):
- blood in your urine
- coughing up blood (however small the amount)
- blood in your vomit
- black stools.
If any of the side effects gets worse, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store Slow-K
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use Slow-K after the expiry date which is stated on the tablet container after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 30°C. Keep the tablet container tightly closed in order to protect from moisture.
Do not use Slow-K if you notice the appearance has changed in any way.
If your doctor decides to stop your treatment, return any unused medicine to the pharmacist. Only keep it if your doctor tells you to.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist on how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.
Further information
What is in Slow-K?
The active ingredient in this medicine is potassium chloride.
The other ingredients are cetostearyl alcohol, gelatin, magnesium stearate, acacia, titanium dioxide (E171), talc, sucrose, red and yellow iron oxides (E172) and carnauba wax.
What Slow-K looks like and contents of the pack
Slow-K is a pale orange, round tablet. They are modified-release tablets with a sugar-coating.
Slow-K comes in tablet containers of 100 tablets.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
The product licence holder is:
Slow-K is manufactured by:
The information in this leaflet applies only to Slow-K. If you have any questions or you are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or a pharmacist.
This leaflet was last approved: 25th January 2010.
Slow-K is a registered trademark of Novartis AG and is used under licence by Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Alliance, Alliance Pharmaceuticals and associated devices are registered Trademarks of Alliance Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
© Alliance Pharmaceuticals Ltd 2009.
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