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POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 149 mg/mL Injection, Solution, Concentrate, 20 mL — NDC 51662-1421-01 package photo

POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 149 mg/mL Injection, Solution, Concentrate, 20 mL

by HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst · 20 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE (51662-1421-1)
NDC 51662-1421-01
🏷️ FDA NDC (as labeled) 51662-1421-1 billing pads the package segment with a zero
Rx only Generic On market Non-controlled
🗂️ Data synced Jul 24, 2026 · sources: openFDA · FDA label (DailyMed) · FDA Orange & Purple Book · First Databank · CMS NADAC, ASP, Medicare & Medicaid · RxNorm
📋 All sources & update times →

This page is curated, coded, and maintained by

Compiled from public FDA, CMS, DailyMed, NADAC, and related drug data sources. Editorial policy

⚠️
Other active recalls for Potassium Chloride (different manufacturers) — 6 · tap to view
These affect other manufacturers’ products for the same ingredient — not necessarily the exact NDC on this page.
Class I · Oct 29, 2025 — Labeling: Label Error on Declared Strength-The overwrap label may incorrectly identify the product as POTASSIUM CHLORIDE Inj. 10 mEq instead of POTASSIUM CHLORIDE Inj. 20 mEq (Otsuka ICU Medical LLC) · FDA recall D-0181-2026
Class I · Oct 29, 2025 — Labeling: Label Error on Declared Strength-The overwrap label may incorrectly identify the product as POTASSIUM CHLORIDE Inj. 10 mEq instead of POTASSIUM CHLORIDE Inj. 20 mEq (Otsuka ICU Medical LLC) · FDA recall D-0180-2026
Class I · Feb 13, 2025 — Labeling: Label Error on Declared Strength. Overwrap labeled as Potassium Chloride Inj 10 mEq may contain flexible containers of Potassium Chloride Inj 20 mEq (ICU Medical, Inc.) · FDA recall D-0268-2025
Class I · Feb 13, 2025 — Labeling: Label Error on Declared Strength. Cases labeled POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 20 mEq, may contain flexible containers with overwrap mislabeled as 10 mEq. The correct dosage strength of 20 mEq is printed on the labeling affixed to the product flexible container. (ICU Medical, Inc.) · FDA recall D-0267-2025
Class II · Jan 30, 2025 — Failed Dissolution Specifications. (The Harvard Drug Group LLC dba Major Pharmaceuticals and Rugby Laboratories) · FDA recall D-0221-2025
Class I · Jun 25, 2024 — Failed Dissolution Specifications (Amerisource Health Services LLC) · FDA recall D-0619-2024
Each entry is an official FDA enforcement report — look up any recall number in the FDA recall database ↗

🆔 Identity & classification

FDA NDC (as labeled) 51662-1421-1
Product NDC 51662-1421
11-digit billing NDC 51662142101
RxCUI 1860139
UNII 660YQ98I10
Application # ANDA080205
SPL Set ID 951ffdc3-d54f-d5e1-e053-2a95a90a79e6
Established class (EPC) Osmotic Laxative; Potassium Salt
Mechanism of action Osmotic Activity
Physiologic effect Increased Large Intestinal Motility; Inhibition Large Intestine Fluid/Electrolyte Absorption
Chemical class Potassium Compounds
DEA schedule Non-controlled
Marketing category ANDA
Marketing status On market
FDA listing status Listed (active directory)
Marketing start 2019-10-18
Route INTRAVENOUS
Dosage form INJECTION, SOLUTION, CONCENTRATE
Substance POTASSIUM CHLORIDE
TE code (Orange Book) AP · RLD · RS
Why two NDCs? The FDA registers this code as 51662-1421-1 — a 5-4-1 layout, and that's what's printed on the package and shown on DailyMed. For insurance claims, every NDC is standardized to a uniform 11-digit 5-4-2 format by adding a zero to the package segment → 51662-1421-01. Same drug, same package — only the format differs.
Where does this data come from?
Identifiers from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory and Structured Product Labeling; RxCUI from RxNorm (NLM); GPI from Medi-Span; GCN / HIC / AHFS / legend from First Databank.

🏷️ RxNorm drug class

This medicine belongs to the Potassium class.

Drug family (ATC) Potassium, Electrolyte solutions
Where does this data come from?
Therapeutic classes from RxNorm RxClass (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Established Pharmacologic Class (FDA), ATC drug family (WHO) and mechanism of action, matched by this product’s RxCUI.

🏭 Manufacturer & labeler

LabelerHF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst
Application holderHOSPIRA INC
FDA applicationANDA080205 (ANDA)
Labeler code51662
First marketedOct 2019
Product typeHuman Prescription Drug
Portfolio333 products on file
The labeler markets the product; the application holder owns the FDA approval. They’re often the same company but can differ (e.g. a repackager or an authorized generic). A mailing address / phone appears here when the manufacturer includes it in the product’s FDA label (not all do).
Where does this data come from?
Labeler, application holder and registered establishment from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory and Drugs@FDA; address/contact from the product’s FDA label.

🩺 Clinical

📖 What it is MedlinePlus · NLM

Potassium chloride is used to prevent or treat low levels of potassium in the body. Potassium chloride is in a class of medications called electrolytes. It works by to provide potassium to the body to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.

Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗
📗 Our plain-language guide HelloPharmacist
  • You're right that food is the first line — bananas, potatoes, and leafy greens are all rich in potassium. But sometimes diet alone isn't enough, especially if you're taking a diure...
  • Why did my doctor prescribe potassium chloride? I thought potassium just came from bananas.
  • Yes — always take oral tablets or capsules with a meal or right after eating. Taking them on an empty stomach can irritate or even ulcerate the lining of your stomach or intestines...
  • Do I have to take it with food? What happens if I forget?
📖 Read our full Potassium Chloride guide →
Where does this data come from?
Plain-language summary from MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine); supplement & herbal interactions and nutrient depletion data from the Natural Medicines database; our full guide is HelloPharmacist editorial content.

🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients

Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.

💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.

  • UNII QTT17582CB
    A strong acid used to adjust and maintain the proper pH level in liquid medicines, ensuring stability and preventing breakdown of active ingredients.
  • UNII 059QF0KO0R
    Water is a liquid solvent that dissolves and mixes ingredients together in liquid medicines, syrups, and injections. It helps distribute the active drug evenly throughout the product.

2 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.

Where does this data come from?
Data sourced from official FDA Structured Product Labeling (SPL) via DailyMed — ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.

Inactive ingredient FAQ

Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
No. Inactive ingredients can differ by manufacturer, dosage form, strength, and package / product version.
Why might an inactive ingredient be missing?
Some SPLs do not provide a complete structured inactive-ingredient list, and older or unusual labels may only include the information in narrative text.
Can inactive ingredients matter?
Yes. They can matter for allergies, intolerances, dyes, gluten / lactose concerns, preservatives, and formulation differences — but confirm with a pharmacist or the manufacturer when it’s clinically important.

💲 Pricing

A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.

Price systemPer mLPer package
Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly Not in the retail survey — common for institutional, discontinued, or low-volume packs.
Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo No recent Medicaid claims on file for this NDC — rare and low-volume NDCs are suppressed in the public data.
Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 $0.1236 $2.47 / 20 ml
Where does this data come from?
NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) is the CMS weekly pharmacy-acquisition-cost survey — what pharmacies pay. ASP (Average Sales Price) is the CMS Medicare Part B drug-payment file, published quarterly. Medicaid pays is computed by us from CMS State Drug Utilization Data (total reimbursed ÷ units, trailing 12 months) — gross of rebates and inclusive of dispensing fees, so it reflects what Medicaid paid, not an acquisition cost. Medicare drug plans pay is the median negotiated point-of-sale unit cost across plans listing this NDC in the CMS quarterly Prescription Drug Plan pricing files, before rebates. The VA pays is the federal contract price (FSS, and the statutory Big 4 ceiling where listed) from the VA National Acquisition Center pharmaceutical price file. All are free public government data; each measures a different payer, so the figures are not directly comparable.

🔁 Therapeutic equivalents

ProductLabelerPackNADAC/unitTEStatusPrice vs. this
Potassium Chloride 2 meq/mL 00404-9936-10 Henry 1 vial — AP FDA listed —
Potassium Chloride 149 mg/mL 00409-6653-05 Hospira, 25 vials — AP FDA listed —
Potassium Chloride 149 mg/mLthis 51662-1421-01 HF 20 ml — AP FDA listed —
Potassium Chloride 2 meq/mL 63323-0965-05 Fresenius 25 vials — AP FDA listed —
Potassium Chloride 149 mg/mL 51662-1387-01 HF 10 ml — AP FDA listed —
Potassium Chloride 149 mg/mL 00409-6635-01 Hospira, 25 vials — AP FDA listed —
Potassium Chloride 149 mg/mL 00409-6651-06 Hospira, 25 vials — AP FDA listed —
Potassium Chloride 149 mg/mL 00404-9937-10 Henry 1 vial — AP FDA listed —
About this product: this is a generic version of the medicine. FDA equivalence ratings are shown when available, and other versions are listed above, least expensive first.
Where does this data come from?
Equivalents are other NDCs of the same ingredient, form and route from the openFDA NDC Directory, ranked least-expensive-first by NADAC. Therapeutic-equivalence (AB) ratings come from the FDA Orange Book; biologics use the FDA Purple Book for biosimilar & interchangeable status.

⏳ Availability & generic status

🏛️
2019
On the market since
Oct 2019
📍
2026
Currently FDA-listed
7 years listed
🔓
·
Generic on the market
this product is a generic
✅This is a generic drug

This product is an FDA-approved generic. Other versions of the same drug are listed under Therapeutic equivalents, least expensive first.

Where does this data come from?
Patents and exclusivity from the FDA Orange Book (small-molecule drugs), refreshed from public FDA data. Generic launch timing is an estimate, not a guarantee.

📊 Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)

Medicare Part D (outpatient prescription) spending for Potassium Chloride — the program that covers self-administered drugs. 42 manufacturers.
⚠️ Drug-level data: CMS publishes Part D spending by drug, not by NDC — these figures combine every manufacturer, strength and package size sold under the name Potassium Chloride. That’s a different level of aggregation than the Medicaid card above, which is specific to this exact 11-digit NDC (pack size included), so the two aren’t directly comparable.
Period
Total Part D spend
$78.71M
Claims incl. refills
3.7M
Beneficiaries
2.4M
Spend / beneficiary
$33.46
Spend / claim
$21.47
Trend by period
💵 About the dollar figures: spending is what Part D plans paid before confidential manufacturer rebates, so the program’s real net cost is lower. A blank patient count means fewer than 11 people — CMS hides counts that small to protect privacy. Source: CMS Medicare Quarterly Part D Spending by Drug (data.cms.gov), updated quarterly.

🔬 Reported adverse events (FAERS)

Read carefully: FAERS reports are voluntary and unverified. Counts are not incidence, do not establish causation, are subject to reporting bias, and cannot be used to compare one drug to another. Shown for signal context only. Reports for Potassium Chloride — the ingredient across all brands.

Top reported reactions

Nausea9,006
Diarrhoea8,604
Dyspnoea8,414
Fatigue8,118
Vomiting6,603
Death5,805
Pneumonia5,556

Reporter sex

120,818 reports
Male · 37%
Female · 63%
Unknown · 0%

Serious outcomes

Death16,417
Life-threatening6,633
Disabling2,798
Reports over time (by year) — tap or hover for the count & year
2019 2021 2023 2026 8,102 0
Most recent year is provisional (FAERS lags ~3 months).
Where does this data come from?
Adverse-event reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) via openFDA. FAERS reports are voluntary and unverified — counts are not incidence and don’t establish causation.

📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product

Package NDCDescription Marketing startStatus
51662-1421-01 You're viewing this 20 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE (51662-1421-1) 2019-10-18 Active

🧭 About this NDC listing & data coverage

Finished prescription product
What data is (and isn’t) available for this NDC — tap to expand
NDC identity (package / product / labeler codes) ✓ Available
Labeler ✓ Available
Product & package description ✓ Available
Marketing category & status ✓ Available
Active ingredient / dosage form / route ✓ Available
FDA label (SPL via DailyMed) ✓ Available
Package photos ✓ Available
Inactive ingredients (structured) ✓ Available
NADAC pharmacy acquisition price (CMS) — Not published for this NDC CMS publishes NADAC only for NDCs reported in its retail-pharmacy survey.
Orange Book / therapeutic-equivalence data ✓ Available
HCPCS J-code billing crosswalk — Not published for this NDC Most self-administered / retail products have no J-code — that is normal.
Medicaid utilization (CMS SDUD) — Not published for this NDC CMS reports utilization only for NDCs with Medicaid claims above its privacy threshold.
“Not published” reflects what the public FDA / CMS / NLM sources provide for this exact package code — it is a property of the data feeds, not a judgment about the product.

Questions about this listing

Why is there no price listed?
The pricing shown on our NDC pages comes from CMS NADAC, a voluntary survey of retail community pharmacy invoices. CMS does not publish a NADAC for every NDC — packages outside the retail survey (institutional and hospital products, bulk packages, discontinued items, and many OTC items) may never receive one. A missing price reflects the survey's scope, not this product's actual cost, and does not mean the product is free or unavailable.
Is the NDC printed on the package the same as the 11-digit billing NDC?
Yes, they identify this exact package in different formats. The FDA registers it as 51662-1421-1, which is what is printed on the packaging and shown on DailyMed. Insurance claims use a fixed 11-digit 5-4-2 format, so the short segment is padded with a leading zero: 51662-1421-01, written without dashes as 51662142101. The Identity section at the top of this page lists every form of this code.
What do the three segments of this NDC mean?
In 51662-1421-01, the first segment (51662) is the labeler code FDA assigned to HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst; the middle segment (1421) identifies this specific product — its ingredient, strength, and dosage form; and the last segment (01) identifies this exact package size and type. Together they name one specific package of one specific product.
Is this package still being marketed?
Yes, per the latest FDA NDC Directory data on this page: this package is listed as actively marketed, with no marketing end date reported by HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst. Listing status can change — the directory data on this page refreshes weekly.
Who lists this product with the FDA?
HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst is the labeler of record for this NDC — the company under whose FDA-assigned code the package is listed. The labeler may be the manufacturer itself or a distributor marketing the product under its own code.
Do I need a prescription for this product?
This NDC is listed with FDA as a prescription product, so it is dispensed under a prescriber's order. Your pharmacist can tell you whether any over-the-counter forms of the same medication exist.
This page identifies an FDA-listed package (the NDC) and reports public regulatory and pricing data about the listing. It is reference information, not a medical recommendation — talk to your pharmacist or prescriber about your own medication.
Where does this data come from?
Listing facts (marketing category, packager status, marketing dates) from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory; label availability from DailyMed; pricing coverage from CMS NADAC; equivalence scope from the FDA Orange Book.

📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL

The complete FDA label for this product — the official prescribing information, verbatim, section by section. Jump with a chip, search within the label, or expand everything.
🎯 Indications and Usage ⏱️ Dosage and Administration ⛔ Contraindications ⚠️ Warnings 🤒 Adverse Reactions 🆘 Overdosage 🧬 Clinical Pharmacology 📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling 📋 Description
🎯 Indications and Usage 25 words ▾

Indications and Usage Section Potassium Chloride for Injection Concentrate, USP is indicated in the treatment of potassium deficiency states when oral replacement is not feasible.

⏱️ Dosage and Administration ~1 min read ▾

Dosage & Administration Section Potassium Chloride for Injection Concentrate, USP must be diluted before administration. Care must be taken to ensure there is complete mixing of the potassium chloride with the large volume fluid, particularly if soft or bag type containers are used. The dose and rate of administration are dependent upon the specific condition of each patient.

If the serum potassium level is greater than 2.5 mEq/liter, potassium can be given at a rate not to exceed 10 mEq/hour in a concentration of up to 40 mEq/liter. The 24-hour total dose should not exceed 200 mEq. If urgent treatment is indicated (serum potassium level less than 2.0 mEq/liter with electrocardiographic changes and/or muscle paralysis) potassium chloride may be infused very cautiously at a rate of up to 40 mEq/hour.

In such cases, continuous cardiac monitoring is essential. As much as 400 mEq may be administered in a 24 hour period. In critical conditions, potassium chloride may be administered in saline (unless contraindicated), rather than in dextrose containing fluids, as dextrose may lower serum potassium levels.

Prior to entering vial, remove the metal seal and cleanse the rubber closure with a suitable antiseptic agent. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration, whenever solution and container permit. TO PREVENT NEEDLE-STICK INJURIES, NEEDLES SHOULD NOT BE RECAPPED, PURPOSELY BENT, OR BROKEN BY HAND.

⛔ Contraindications 35 words ▾

Contraindications Section Potassium Chloride for Injection Concentrate, USP is contraindicated in diseases where high potassium levels may be encountered, and in patients with hyperkalemia, renal failure and in conditions in which potassium retention is present.

⚠️ Warnings 177 words ▾

Warnings To avoid potassium intoxication, do not infuse solutions rapidly. In patients with severe renal insufficiency, administration of potassium chloride may cause potassium intoxication and life threatening hyperkalemia. The administration of intravenous solutions can cause fluid and/or solute overload resulting in dilution of serum electrolyte concentrations, overhydration, congested states or pulmonary edema.

The risk of dilutional states is inversely proportional to the electrolyte concentration. The risk of solute overload causing congested states with peripheral and pulmonary edema is directly proportional to the electrolyte concentration. WARNING: This product contains aluminum that may be toxic.

Aluminum may reach toxic levels with prolonged parenteral administration if kidney function is impaired. Premature neonates are particularly at risk because their kidneys are immature, and they require large amounts of calcium and phosphate solutions, which contain aluminum. Research indicates that patients with impaired kidney function, including premature neonates, who receive parenteral levels of aluminum at greater than 4 to 5 mcg/kg/day accumulate aluminum at levels associated with central nervous system and bone toxicity.

Tissue loading may occur at even lower rates of administration.

🤒 Adverse Reactions 147 words ▾

Adverse Reactions Reactions which may occur because of the solution or the technique of administration include febrile response, infection at the site of injection, venous thrombosis or phlebitis extending from the site of injection, extravasation, hypervolemia, and hyperkalemia. Too rapid infusion of hypertonic solutions may cause local pain and, rarely, vein irritation. Rate of administration should be adjusted according to tolerance.

Reactions reported with the use of potassium-containing solutions include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The signs and symptoms of potassium intoxication include paresthesias of the extremities, areflexia, muscular or respiratory paralysis, mental confusion, weakness, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, heart block, electrocardiographic abnormalities and cardiac arrest. Potassium deficits result in disruption of neuromuscular function, and intestinal ileus and dilatation.

If an adverse reaction does occur, discontinue the infusion, evaluate the patient, institute appropriate therapeutic countermeasures and save the remainder of the fluid for examination if deemed necessary.

🆘 Overdosage 128 words ▾

Overdosage Section In the event of fluid overload during parenteral therapy, re-evaluate the patient's condition, and institute appropriate corrective treatment. In the event of overdosage with potassium-containing solutions, discontinue the infusion immediately, and institute corrective therapy to reduce serum potassium levels. Treatment of hyperkalemia includes the following: 1.

Dextrose Injection USP, 10% or 25%, containing 10 units of crystalline insulin per 20 grams of dextrose administered intravenously, at a rate of 300 to 500 mL per hour. 2. Absorption and exchange of potassium using sodium or ammonium cycle cation exchange resin, orally and as retention enema.

3. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. The use of potassium-containing foods or medications must be eliminated.

However, in cases of digitalization, too rapid a lowering of plasma potassium concentration can cause digitalis toxicity.

🧬 Clinical Pharmacology 150 words ▾

Clinical Pharmacology Section Potassium is the chief cation of body cells (160 mEq/liter of intracellular water) and is concerned with the maintenance of body fluid composition and electrolyte balance. Potassium participates in carbohydrate utilization and protein synthesis, and is critical in the regulation of nerve conduction and muscle contraction, particularly in the heart. Chloride, the major extracellular anion, closely follows the metabolism of sodium, and changes in the acid-base balance of the body are reflected by changes in the chloride concentration.

Normally about 80 to 90% of the potassium intake is excreted in the urine, the remainder in the stools and, to a small extent, in perspiration. The kidney does not conserve potassium well so that during fasting, or in patients on a potassium-free diet, potassium loss from the body continues, resulting in potassium depletion. A deficiency of either potassium or chloride will lead to a deficit of the other.

📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling 90 words ▾

How Supplied Section POTASSIUM CHLORIDE FOR INJECTION CONCENTRATE, USP is supplied in the following dosage forms. NDC 51662-1421 POTASSIUM CHLORIDE FOR INJECTION CONCENTRATE, USP 40 mEq/20 mL (2 mEq/mL) 20mL VIAL HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst Mukilteo, WA 98275 Also supplied in the following manufacture supplied dosage forms Potassium Chloride for Injection Concentrate, USP, is supplied in single-dose containers as follows: Store at 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature.] Distributed by Hospira Inc., Lake Forest, IL 60045 USA LAB-1319-1.0 Revised: 5/2018 How Supplied Hospira

📋 Description 207 words ▾

Description Potassium Chloride for Injection Concentrate, USP, is a sterile, nonpyrogenic, concentrated solution of potassium chloride, USP in water for injection administered by intravenous infusion only after dilution in a larger volume of fluid. They are provided in the following variety of concentrations and sizes comprising a choice of single-dose containers, all designed to provide the commonly prescribed amounts of potassium chloride for single-dose infusion after dilution in suitable large volume parenterals. * May contain hydrochloric acid for pH adjustment.

The solutions contain no bacteriostat, antimicrobial agent or added buffer (except for pH adjustment) and each is intended only for single-dose injection (after dilution). When smaller doses are required, discard the unused portion. The pH is 4.6 (4.0 to 8.0).

Potassium Chloride for Injection Concentrate, USP (appropriately diluted) is a parenteral fluid and electrolyte replenisher. Potassium Chloride, USP is chemically designated KCl, a white granular powder freely soluble in water. The semi-rigid material used for the plastic vials is fabricated from a specially formulated polyolefin.

It is a copolymer of ethylene and propylene. The safety of the plastic has been confirmed by tests in animals according to USP biological standards for plastic containers. The container requires no vapor barrier to maintain the proper drug concentration.

Description Chart

Source: FDA Structured Product Labeling, mirrored from DailyMed / openFDA. Prefer the government’s original formatting? View this label on DailyMed ↗
← 51662-1420-01 · HF 51662-1422-01 · HF →
For educational and professional reference only — not medical advice. Pricing reflects published NADAC and CMS ASP (free public data) and may differ from your acquisition cost; always verify before billing or dispensing.