Product Details

Product Information of Slow-K 600mg Tablets

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE SLOW-K

Do not take Slow-K: – if you are allergic to potassium chloride or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6) – 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 certain types of diuretics (water tablets); either potassiumsparing diuretics (e.g. triamterene and amiloride) or aldosterone antagonists (e.g. spironolactone and eplerenone). Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Slow-K if you: – have had an ostomy (an operation to remove part of your bowels) – suffer from any condition which affects your bowel movements – 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. Other medicines and Slow-K Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking: – potassium-sparing diuretics – “water tablets” for high blood pressure and certain heart diseases, e.g. triamterene and amiloride (if you are taking potassium-sparing diuretics, stop taking Slow-K, see the section ‘Do not take Slow-K’) – aldosterone antagonists – “water tablets” for heart failure and certain liver and kidney problems, e.g. spironolactone and eplerenone (if you are taking aldosterone antagonists, 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 – angiotensin-II-receptor antagonists – for treatment of high blood pressure, kidney damage due to diabetes and congestive heart failure such as losartan or valsartan – 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 – direct renin inhibitors – for high blood pressure, e.g. aliskerin – proton pump inhibitors – for indigestion Slow-K 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. Slow-K is a prolonged-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. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. 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.