Hyperkalemia from single small oral doses of potassium chloride.

Clinically important hyperkalemia occurred in 2 patients receiving a single small dose of potassium chloride by mouth. In spite of normal or near function, both subjects manifested abnormalities predisposing to impaired potassium homeostasis including hypoaldosteronism, autonomic dysfunction, or diabetes mellitus. It is suggested that in this type of patient the oral dose of potassium be as small as possible, taken with meals or given as a slow-release preparation.