Abstract: Aim To observe the changes of electrolyte levels in hypokalemic patients after oral administration of potassium citrate granules and 10% potassium chloride (KCL) aolution. Methods Two hundred hypokalemic patients were randomly assigned into potassium citrate group and KCL group with 100 patients in each group. Patients in different group were given potassium citrate 2 packages tid and 10% KCL solution 20ml tid, respectively for 6 days, while other therapeutic measures were about the same. Fast serum electrolyte levels and other related biochemical parameters were determined. Results Potassium citrate granules had better potassium replacement effect than KCL solution. Serum potassium level was increased by 0. 65 and 1. 05 mmol/ L 3 and 6 days after the administration of potassium citrate granules. Potassium citrate granules had less side effects than KCL solution. Conclusions Potassium citrate granules is an ideal potassium replacement agent.

Key words: potassium chloride, potassium citrate, hypokalemia