Potassium with Glycopyrrolate Interaction Details

Brand Names Associated with Potassium

Brand Names Associated with Glycopyrrolate

Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated Nov 11, 2023

Interaction Effect

Increased risk of gastrointestinal lesions

Interaction Summary

The concomitant use of a solid oral dosage form of potassium chloride is contraindicated in patients receiving anticholinergic agents, such as glycopyrrolate. Glycopyrrolate (oral, IV, or IM) may increase the severity of gastrointestinal mucosal injury associated with oral potassium chloride due to decreased gastric motility and increased transit time .

Severity

Contraindicated

Onset

Rapid

Evidence

Theoretical

How To Manage Interaction

The concomitant use of a solid oral dosage form of potassium chloride is contraindicated in patients receiving anticholinergic agents, such as glycopyrrolate. Glycopyrrolate (oral, IV, or IM) may increase the severity of gastrointestinal mucosal injury associated with oral potassium chloride due to decreased gastric motility and increased transit time .

Mechanism Of Interaction

Arrest or delay of potassium chloride solid dose form passage through the gastrointestinal tract

Literature Reports

A) In a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial, concomitant administration of 1 of 5 oral potassium chloride preparations or placebo in 90 healthy males (median age, 24 years; range 18-40 years) receiving glycopyrrolate (2 mg orally 3 times per day) resulted in no significant differences in gastrointestinal (GI) lesions. Groups of 15 subjects were randomized to receive an oral potassium chloride preparation of either wax-matrix, microencapsulated, experimental extended-release capsules, experimental extended-release tablets, or liquid, or to receive a placebo. Potassium chloride was dosed as a 24-millimole (mmol) dose orally 1 hour prior to meals, except for the extended-release tablet (strength 10 mmol) which was given as a 30-mmol dose (before breakfast) and two 20-mmol doses (after lunch and dinner). Of the 90 patients, 7 in the wax-matrix group, 4 each in the microencapsulated, experimental capsule and tablets, and placebo groups, and 2 in the liquid group experienced GI lesions based on endoscopy performed at baseline (day 3) and after 7 days of dosing (day 10). Reanalyses of the data after eliminating grade 1 lesions did not yield significant changes. Abdominal pain or discomfort occurred in 18 patients with no significant differences among the groups. One ulcer was reported and none of the patients had stool occult blood or significant hematocrit changes. Several placebo patients had food retention indicating a potential effect of glycopyrrolate on gastric emptying, but there were no significant differences in GI mucosal changes compared to patients receiving potassium chloride .

Potassium Overview

• Potassium is essential for the proper functioning of the heart, kidneys, muscles, nerves, and digestive system. Usually the food you eat supplies all of the potassium you need. However, certain diseases (e.g., kidney disease and gastrointestinal disease with vomiting and diarrhea) and drugs, especially diuretics ('water pills'), remove potassium from the body. Potassium supplements are taken to replace potassium losses and prevent potassium deficiency.

• This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Glycopyrrolate Overview

• Glycopyrrolate is used in combination with other medications to treat ulcers in adults and children 12 years of age and older. Glycopyrrolate (Cuvposa) is used to reduce saliva and drooling in children between 3 and16 years of age that have certain medical conditions that cause drooling. Glycopyrrolate is in a class of medications called anticholinergics. It decreases stomach acid and saliva production by blocking the activity of a certain natural substance in the body.

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Definitions

Severity Categories

Contraindicated

These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.

Major

This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.

Moderate

This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.

Minor

While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.

Onset

Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.

Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.

Evidence

Level of documentation of the interaction.

Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.

Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.

How To Manage The Interaction

Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.

It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.

Mechanism Of Interaction

The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.

Where Does Our Information Come From?

Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:

• Gold Standard Drug Database
• Micromedex
• Lexicomp
• DrugBank

The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used. 

Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.

The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.