How to Use

For diseaseds taking the tablet form of this drug :

• Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush, chew, or suck the tablet.
• Take with a full glass - 8 ounces of water.
• If you have trouble swallowing the tablets or they seem to stick in your throat, check with your family doctor at once . If this drug is not completely swallowed and not properly dissolved, it can cause severe irritation.

For diseaseds taking the liquid form of this drug :

• Dilute with a full glass - 6 ounces of water or juice and drink; follow with additional water, if desired.
• Chill, but do not freeze, this drug before taking it, for a better taste.

For diseaseds taking the crystals form of this drug :

• Add the contents of one packet to at least 6 ounces of cool water or juice.
• Stir well to make sure the crystals are completely dissolved.
• Drink all the mixture to be sure you are taking the correct dose. Follow with additional water or juice, if desired.

Take each dose immediately after a meal or within 30 minutes after a meal or bedtime snack . This helps prevent the drug from causing stomach pain or a laxative effect.

Drink at least a full glass - 8 ounces of water or other liquid - except milk every hour during the day - about 3 quarts a day, unless otherwise directed by your family doctor . This will increase the flow of urine and help prevent kidney stones.

Take this drug only as directed by your family doctor . Do not take more of it, do not take it more often and do not take it for a longer time than your family doctor ordered This is especially important if you are also taking a diuretic - water pill or digitalis drug for your heart .

Dosage

The number of tablets that you take or of teaspoonfuls or ounces of solution that you drink depends on the strength of the single or combination drug. Always the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses and the length of time you take the drug depend on the medical problem for which you are taking this single or combination drug .

For potassium citrate
• For oral dosage form - tablets:
  • To make the urine more alkaline - less acidic and to prevent kidney stones:
    • Adults At first, 1.08 to 2.16 grams three times a day with meals. Some people may take 1.62 grams four times a day with meals or within thirty minutes after a meal or bedtime snack. Your family doctor may change your dose if needed. However, most people usually will not take more than 10.8 grams a day.
    • Children Dose must be determined by your family doctor.

For potassium citrate and citric acid
• For oral dosage form - solution:
  • To make the urine or blood more alkaline - less acidic and to prevent kidney stones:
    • Adults At first, 2 to 3 teaspoonfuls of solution, mixed with water or juice, four times a day, after meals and at bedtime. Your family doctor may change the dose if needed.
  • To make the urine more alkaline - less acidic:
    • Children At first, 1 to 3 teaspoonfuls of solution, mixed with water or juice, four times a day after meals and at bedtime. Your family doctor may change the dose if needed.
• For oral dosage form - crystals for solution:
  • To make the urine or blood more alkaline - less acidic and to prevent kidney stones:
    • Adults At first, 3.3 grams of potassium citrate, mixed with water or juice, four times a day, after meals and at bedtime. Your family doctor may change the dose if needed.
    • Children Use is not recommended.

For potassium citrate and sodium citrate
• For oral dosage form - tablets:
  • To make the urine more alkaline - less acidic and to prevent kidney stones:
    • Adults At first, 1 to 4 tablets after meals and at bedtime.
    • Children Dose must be determined by your family doctor.

For sodium citrate and citric acid
• For oral dosage form - solution:
  • To make the urine and blood more alkaline - less acidic and to prevent kidney stones:
    • Adults At first, 2 to 6 teaspoonfuls of solution four times a day, after meals and at bedtime. The solution must be mixed in one to three ounces of water. Your family doctor may change the dose if needed. However, most people will usually not take more than five ounces a day.
  • To make the contents of the stomach less acidic before surgery:
    • Adults 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls as a single dose. You may mix it in one to two tablespoonfuls of water.
  • To make the blood more alkaline - less acidic:
    • Children At first, 1 to 3 teaspoonfuls of solution four times a day, after meals and at bedtime. The solution must be mixed in one to three ounces of water. Your family doctor may change the dose if needed.

For tricitrates
• For oral dosage form - solution:
  • To make the urine and blood more alkaline - less acidic and to prevent kidney stones:
    • Adults At first, 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls of solution four times a day, after meals and at bedtime. Your family doctor may change the dose if needed.
  • To make the contents of the stomach less acidic before surgery:
    • Adults 1 tablespoonful as a single dose. You must mix the solution in one tablespoonful of water.
  • To make the urine or blood more alkaline - less acidic:
    • Children At first, 5 to 10 mL four times a day after meals and at bedtime. Your family doctor may change the dose if needed.

Missed dose If you miss a dose of this drug, take it as soon as possible if remembered within 2 hours. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the drug to break down.
• Keep the liquid form of this drug from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.