Potassium salts electrolyte balance

Magnesium hydroxide is a laxative and is not a constituent of oral rehydration salts, which tend to be recommended for use in diarrhoea, to avoid dehydration. Sodium chloride, glucose, potassium chloride and sodium citrate are required to maintain a proper electrolyte balance and are included in oral rehydration salts. 

Fluid and electrolyte balance Average and large doses of hydrocortisone or cortisone can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium. These effects are less likely to occur with the synthetic derivatives except when used in large doses. 

Penicillin is often administered as a sodium or potassium salt. The introduction of potentially large numbers on sodium or potassium ions along with the drug can result in changes in electrolyte balance. This is of particular occurrence with ticarcillin and carbenicillin salts. 

Sodium, potassium, and chloride, as ions (Na, K, and Gl ), are essential to electrolyte balance in body fluids. Electrolyte balance, in turn, is essential for fluid balance, acid-base balance, and transmission of nerve impulses. Table salt is the principal source of sodium and chloride ions, and dietary deficiencies are unlikely. When there is extreme fluid loss through vomiting, diarrhea, or traumatic injury, electrolytes must be supplied to restore their concentration in body fluids. 

Electrolyte balance A 75-year-old man with diabetes, hypertension, and hyperthyroidism who was taking telmisartan 40 mg/day developed hyperkalemia after taking etori-coxib 90 mg/day for 3 days [65 ]. The potassium concentration had previously been stable despite the use of a low salt dietary substitute containing potassium chloride (3.5 g/day). The authors suggested that etoricoxib, by inhibiting prostaglandins, caused an acute renal insult, precipitating hyperkalemia, which was exacerbated by the use of low salt and treatment with telmisartan. 

The concentrations and distribution of electrolytes are not fixed, because cell membranes are permeant to ions and to water. Movement of ions and water in and out of cells is determined by the balance of thermodynamic forces, which are normally close to equilibrium. Selective changes of ion concentrations cause movement of water in or out of cells to compensate for these alterations. The kidneys are a major site where changes in salt or water are sensed. The loss of fluids due to illness or disease may alter intracellular and extracellular electrolyte concentrations, with attendant changes in fluid movement in or out of cells. Changes of extracellular or intracellular ion concentrations, particularly for potassium, sodium, and calcium, can have profound effects on neuronal excitability and contractility of the heart and other muscles. 

Gluconate, lactate, etc.—These terms refer to the anionic components of organic salts. For example, a positive potassium ion can be balanced in an electrolyte with a gluconate anion. If the liquid part were to be evaporated, the residue would be crystalline, potassium gluconate salt. 

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