Sando-K Effervescent Tablets Pack of 100

Why Potassium is Important for Your Body

Potassium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in numerous bodily functions, including nerve signal transmission, muscle contractions, and maintaining proper fluid balance. When the body's potassium levels drop too low, it can lead to various symptoms and health complications.

Causes of Low Potassium (Hypokalaemia)

Low potassium can arise from several factors, often associated with:

• Certain medications: Diuretics (e.g., frusemide, thiazide diuretics), corticosteroids, or carbenoxolone can increase potassium excretion.
• Significant fluid loss: Conditions such as severe diarrhoea, persistent vomiting, or fistulas can deplete the body's potassium stores.
• Specific health conditions: Issues like alkalosis, renal tubular acidosis, states with aldosterone excess (e.g., Cushing syndrome), or uncontrolled Addison's disease can impact potassium balance.
• Inadequate dietary intake: Poor nutrition, alcoholism, or deficient diets, particularly in some elderly patients, can lead to insufficient potassium intake.

Sando-K Effervescent Tablets Pack of 100 offer a convenient and reliable way to supplement your potassium intake, helping to prevent and treat these hypokalaemic states. As they contain chloride, they are particularly beneficial for hypokalaemia associated with hypochloraemic alkalosis.

At Weldricks Pharmacy, we are committed to providing accessible and trustworthy healthcare solutions. Explore our range of minerals and vitamins & supplements chosen to support your everyday health confidently.

How to Take Sando-K Effervescent Tablets

Sando-K Effervescent Tablets Pack of 100 are for oral administration, after dissolving the tablet in water. They may be taken with food if preferred.

Adults and children:

• The recommended dose is 2 to 4 tablets per day, dissolved in 1/3 to 1/2 glass of water (50-70 ml). This dosage is generally adequate for most patients, whether for prevention or treatment.
• For very low potassium levels, larger doses of 8-16 tablets per day may be given. The dose should be regulated by your doctor based on your serum electrolyte levels and acid-base studies.

Dosage guidelines for potassium depletion:

• A drop in serum potassium level of 1 mmol/l indicates a loss of approximately 100-200 mmol of potassium from body stores.
• For serum levels between 2-3 mmol/l, a maximum daily dose of 100-200 mmol K+ (8-16 tablets) should be considered.
• For serum levels between 3-4 mmol/l, a maximum daily dose of 50-100 mmol K+ (4-8 tablets) should be considered.
• If serum potassium levels fall below 2 mmol/l, intravenous replacement therapy may be warranted.

Elderly:

There is no evidence to suggest that elderly patients require different dosages or experience different side effects compared to younger patients. However, careful supervision is advised, as factors sometimes associated with ageing, such as poor diet or impaired renal function, may indirectly influence dosage or tolerability.

If you take more Sando-K Effervescent Tablets than you should: You may experience symptoms such as pins and needles in your fingers and toes, confusion, weakness, paralysis, listlessness, low blood pressure, or heart problems. If you take too many tablets, seek immediate medical attention by going to the nearest casualty department or contacting your doctor. Remember to take your tablet container with you.

If you forget to take Sando-K Effervescent Tablets: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you have missed several doses, inform your doctor. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you have any further questions on the use of Sando-K Effervescent Tablets Pack of 100, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Important Warnings and Precautions for Sando-K Effervescent Tablets

Do not take Sando-K Effervescent Tablets Pack of 100 if you:

• Are allergic to potassium chloride, potassium bicarbonate, or any of the other ingredients (refer to the ingredients list for full details). An allergic reaction may present as rash, itching, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue.
• Have a severe kidney disorder with minimal or no urine production.
• Suffer from uncontrolled Addison's disease (a condition where the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol).
• Have high potassium levels.
• Have crush injuries (severe trauma, e.g., from a road traffic incident, with chest damage).
• Are dehydrated.

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Sando-K Effervescent Tablets Pack of 100 if you:

• Have heart disease or are taking digitalis (a medication for heart failure).
• Have stiff muscles (myotonia congenita).
• Have severe breakdown of red blood cells.
• Have a build-up of acid in your blood; your blood will need to be monitored.
• Have high blood pressure; your treatment may lower it.
• Are taking potassium-sparing diuretics (water tablets).
• Are taking ACE inhibitors (treatments for high blood pressure or heart failure, e.g., captopril, enalapril, and lisinopril).

Each Sando-K Effervescent Tablets Pack of 100 contains 470 mg of Potassium (12 mmol). This should be considered if you have reduced kidney function.

Periodic blood tests and electrocardiographs (ECG) should be performed while you are taking Sando-K Effervescent Tablets Pack of 100.

Other Medicines and Sando-K

Always inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines. Particular interactions may occur with:

• Potassium-sparing diuretics (water tablets).
• ACE inhibitors (treatments for high blood pressure or heart failure).
• Digitalis (a medication for heart failure).

Your doctor will determine if Sando-K Effervescent Tablets Pack of 100 is suitable for you when considering these other medications.

Pregnancy and Breast-feeding

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist before taking Sando-K Effervescent Tablets Pack of 100.

Driving and Using Machines

Sando-K Effervescent Tablets Pack of 100 is not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

Sando-K Contains Sucrose

If your doctor has informed you that you have an intolerance to certain sugars, please contact them before taking Sando-K Effervescent Tablets Pack of 100.

Possible Side Effects

Like all medicines, Sando-K Effervescent Tablets Pack of 100 can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. All medicines can cause allergic reactions, although serious allergic reactions are very rare.

Tell your doctor straight away if you experience:

• Any sudden wheeziness.
• Difficulty in breathing.
• Swelling of the eyelids, face, or lips.
• Rash or itching (especially affecting your whole body).

The following side effects have also been reported:

• Abdominal (tummy) discomfort.
• Diarrhoea.
• Nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting.
• Stomach irritation (this is rare and can often be reduced by taking Sando-K Effervescent Tablets with food).

Reporting of Side Effects: If you experience any side effects, including any not listed here, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or by searching for 'MHRA Yellow Card' on the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.

Sando-K Effervescent Tablets Pack of 100 Ingredients

Each Sando-K Effervescent Tablets Pack of 100 tablet contains the active substances:

• 600 mg potassium chloride
• 400 mg potassium bicarbonate

Other ingredients are:

• Dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate
• Colloidal anhydrous silica
• Talc (acid washed)
• Sodium saccharin
• Icing sugar
• Pulverised sugar
• Citric acid anhydrous
• Polyethylene glycol 4000