Potassium citrate 6.488g/5ml oral solution
Requires a prescription from a doctor or prescriber
Potassium citrate (also known as tripotassium citrate) is a potassium salt of citric acid.
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Suspected adverse reactions reported for Potassium citrate
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Data from the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. A reported reaction does not necessarily mean the medicine caused it. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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Suspected adverse reactions reported for Potassium citrate
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1 branded products available
WHO defined daily dose (DDD)
4 gram
Not a recommended dose. The DDD is the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used for its main indication in adults. It is a statistical measure used for research and comparison purposes only.
Source: WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, distributed via the NHS dm+d supplementary BNF/ATC mapping files (NHSBSA). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Therapeutically similar medicines
Similarity is based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and on a factual NHS dm+d therapeutic-grouping code prefix. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.
NHS prescribing volume and spending trends
Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
NICE clinical guidance(5)
Slow-release potassium bicarbonate–potassium citrate for treating distal renal tubular acidosis (terminated appraisal) (TA838)
Renal and ureteric stones: assessment and management (NG118)
Constipation in children and young people: diagnosis and management (CG99)
Preventing recurrent hypomagnesaemia: oral magnesium glycerophosphate (ESUOM4)
Urinary tract infection (recurrent): antimicrobial prescribing (NG112)
Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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Pharmacy links redirect to the retailer's own search and do not represent real-time stock levels. Shortage and safety information sourced from MHRA drug safety updates (gov.uk, Crown Copyright under OGL v3.0).
Codes for healthcare professionals and prescribing systems
These codes are used by healthcare IT systems and prescribers to identify this medicine.
NHS UK identifiers
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SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. BNF code shown is the factual mapping value distributed by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) in the dm+d supplementary file under OGL v3.0; it is not affiliated with, nor licensed from, the publishers of the British National Formulary. ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).
Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Academic studies and reviews for this medicine's active substance
Showing the 50 most relevant studies.
Reviews & meta-analyses: 4 · Randomised trials: 9 · 1959–2026
Showing the 50 most relevant studies, sorted by most relevant.
H. Macdonald, A. Black, L. Aucott, et al.
The American journal of clinical nutrition, 2008
Tarkan Soygür, Ayşegül Akbay, Sadettin Küpeli
Journal of Endourology, 2002
- Lithotripsy
- Calcium
- Calcium Oxalate
Sigrid Jehle, Henry N. Hulter, Reto Krapf
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2012
- Health
- Age Factors
- Bone and Bones
Wenqian Qi PhD, Jingyuan Liu PhD, Ang Li PhD
Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis, 2023
Maurício Carvalho, Bruna Olandoski Erbano, Eduardo Yukio Kuwaki, et al.
Urolithiasis, 2016
- Lithotripsy
- Dietary Supplements
- Potassium Citrate
Wouda RD, Karsten M, Michels EHA, et al.
2026
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Natriuresis
Dissayabutra T, Anegkamol W, Ratchanon S, et al.
2025
- Kidney Calculi
- Oxides
- Calcium Oxalate
BackgroundRecurrent urolithiasis is a major clinical challenge, with more than 50% of patients experiencing recurrence within 5 years. While potassium citrate effectively reduces recurrence, poor adherence due to cost and gastrointestinal side effects limits its long-term use. Citrus-based interventions, such as lime juice, have shown potential in enhancing urinary citrate and alkalinity but require further validation. This study evaluated the efficacy of a lime-based phytochemical-rich regimen (LPR) in preventing stone recurrence and reducing urinary inflammation in post-operative urolithiasis patients.ObjectiveThis multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel lime-based preparation called LPR in preventing kidney stone recurrence over 24 months.MethodsIn a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial, 173 patients with calcium oxalate urolithiasis who had undergone successful stone removal were enrolled from six hospitals in Thailand. Participants were randomized to receive either LPR or placebo for 24 months. The primary outcome was the incidence of stone recurrence confirmed by computerized topography (CT). Secondary outcomes included changes in urinary protein excretion and urinary interleukin-8 (IL-8) level, a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in renal inflammation and stone formation. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multivariate Cox regression were used to assess recurrence risk.ResultsOf 173 enrolled participants, 151 completed the study. The recurrence rate at 2 years was significantly lower in the LPR group (14%) compared to placebo (45%) (p ConclusionLPR, a lime-based supplement rich in citrate and flavonoids, significantly reduced the 2-year recurrence rate of calcium oxalate stones by approximately 76%. This effect may be mediated by increased urinary citrate excretion, alkalinization, and attenuation of renal inflammation, as evidenced by reduced urinary IL-8 and proteinuria. LPR was well tolerated, with minimal adverse effects, and may serve as a safe, cost-effective adjunct for secondary prevention in patients intolerant to conventional alkali therapy.
Abstract licence: CC BY
Josic U, Maravic T, Mazzitelli C, et al.
2024
- Streptococcus mutans
- Durapatite
- Fluorides
ObjectivesTo evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of two fluoride-containing (1450 ppm F) toothpastes with or without zinc-citrate (ZCT), hydroxyapatite (HAP) and potassium-citrate (KCit); to assess and compare their clinical effects in terms of tooth sensitivity, plaque accumulation and gingivitis, as well as patients' satisfaction.Materials and methodsHealthy, adult patients were selected and randomly assigned to two groups (n = 50): Experimental: ZCT-, HAP-, KCit- and fluoride-containing toothpaste; Control: fluoride-containing toothpaste. Salivary counts of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), plaque and gingival index, as well as clinically diagnosed sensitivity were recorded at baseline, and after 4 weeks. A custom-made questionnaire was used to assess patients' self-reported sensitivity (baseline and after 4 weeks) and overall satisfaction with the tested toothpastes. Data were statistically analyzed (α = 0.05).ResultsAfter 4 weeks, a statistically significant salivary reduction of S. mutans was observed in both groups (p = 0.001). Furthermore, the percentage of S. mutans decrease was significantly higher in Experimental group (p = 0.014). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of plaque and gingival index (p > 0.05). After 4 weeks, the self-reported tooth sensitivity was lower in Experimental group (p ConclusionsBoth toothpastes showed good antimicrobial effect after 4 weeks; however, the toothpaste containing ZCT, HAP, KCit and fluoride was found to be more effective in reducing the salivary counts of S. mutans than the product containing fluoride alone.Clinical relevanceToothpaste containing ZCT, HAP, KCit and fluoride can be recommended for patients at risk for developing caries and may also be beneficial for individuals experiencing dental sensitivity.
Abstract licence: CC BY
P Barceló, O. Wuhl, E. Servitge, et al.
The Journal of Urology, 1993
- Calcium Oxalate
- Calcium Phosphates
- Citrates
Bruce Ettinger, Charles Y.C. Pak, John T. Citron, et al.
The Journal of Urology, 1997
- Citrates
- Drug Combinations
- Kidney Calculi
Sources: aggregated from Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), OpenAlex, Crossref, PubMed and other open scholarly databases. Retracted articles are excluded. Study information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank
Key facts
Drug status
Approved
Major interactions
None known
Half-life
Not available
Mechanism
After oral administration of potassium citrate, its metabolism yields alkaline load.
Food interactions
1 warning
Human targets
None mapped
Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
Metabolism
Elimination
5%
Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Potassium citrate is used to treat a kidney stone condition called renal tubular acidosis. Potassium Citrate is indicated also for the management of Hypocitraturic calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis.
Known interactions with other medications. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 50 of 908 interactions
Citrate also inhibits the spontaneous nucleation of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate.
How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
ATC A12BA02
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
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Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Potassium citrate
DrugBank citations
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Structured knowledge from the free knowledge base
ATC classifications (Wikidata)
Linked open data from Wikidata (Q419921), a free and open knowledge base operated by the Wikimedia Foundation. Data is available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication. WHO INN from the World Health Organization.