UROCIT-K

UROCIT-K- potassium citrate tablet, extended release
Mission Pharmacal Company

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1.1 Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA) with Calcium Stones

Potassium citrate is indicated for the management of renal tubular acidosis [see Clinical Studies (14.1)].

1.2 Hypocitraturic Calcium Oxalate Nephrolithiasis of any Etiology

Potassium citrate is indicated for the management of Hypocitraturic calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].

1.3 Uric Acid Lithiasis with or without Calcium Stones

Potassium citrate is indicated for the management of Uric acid lithiasis with or without calcium stones [see Clinical Studies (14.3)].

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Dosing Instructions

Treatment with extended release potassium citrate should be added to a regimen that limits salt intake (avoidance of foods with high salt content and of added salt at the table) and encourages high fluid intake (urine volume should be at least two liters per day). The objective of treatment with Urocit-K is to provide Urocit-K in sufficient dosage to restore normal urinary citrate (greater than 320 mg/day and as close to the normal mean of 640 mg/day as possible), and to increase urinary pH to a level of 6.0 or 7.0.

Monitor serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride and carbon dioxide), serum creatinine and complete blood counts every four months and more frequently in patients with cardiac disease, renal disease or acidosis. Perform electrocardiograms periodically. Treatment should be discontinued if there is hyperkalemia, a significant rise in serum creatinine or a significant fall in blood hematocrit or hemoglobin.

2.2 Severe Hypocitraturia

In patients with severe hypocitraturia (urinary citrate < 150 mg/day), therapy should be initiated at a dosage of 60 mEq/day (30 mEq two times/day or 20 mEq three times/day with meals or within 30 minutes after meals or bedtime snack). Twenty-four hour urinary citrate and/or urinary pH measurements should be used to determine the adequacy of the initial dosage and to evaluate the effectiveness of any dosage change. In addition, urinary citrate and/or pH should be measured every four months. Doses of Urocit-K greater than 100 mEq/day have not been studied and should be avoided.

2.3 Mild to Moderate Hypocitraturia

In patients with mild to moderate hypocitraturia (urinary citrate > 150 mg/day) therapy should be initiated at 30 mEq/day (15 mEq two times/day or 10 mEq three times/day with meals or within 30 minutes after meals or bedtime snack). Twenty-four hour urinary citrate and/or urinary pH measurements should be used to determine the adequacy of the initial dosage and to evaluate the effectiveness of any dosage change. Doses of Urocit-K greater than 100 mEq/day have not been studied and should be avoided.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

  • 5 mEq tablets are uncoated, tan to yellowish in color, modified ball shaped, with MPC 600 debossed on one side and blank on the other
  • 10 mEq tablets are uncoated, tan to yellowish in color, elliptical shaped, with 610 debossed on one side and MISSION on the other
  • 15 mEq tablets are uncoated, tan to yellowish in color, modified rectangle shaped, with M15 debossed on one side and blank on the other

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

Urocit ® -K is contraindicated:

  • In patients with hyperkalemia (or who have conditions pre-disposing them to hyperkalemia), as a further rise in serum potassium concentration may produce cardiac arrest. Such conditions include: chronic renal failure, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, acute dehydration, strenuous physical exercise in unconditioned individuals, adrenal insufficiency, extensive tissue breakdown or the administration of a potassium-sparing agent (such as triamterene, spironolactone or amiloride).
  • In patients in whom there is cause for arrest or delay in tablet passage through the gastrointestinal tract, such as those suffering from delayed gastric emptying, esophageal compression, intestinal obstruction or stricture, or those taking anticholinergic medication.
  • In patients with peptic ulcer disease because of its ulcerogenic potential.
  • In patients with active urinary tract infection (with either urea-splitting or other organisms, in association with either calcium or struvite stones). The ability of Urocit ® -K to increase urinary citrate may be attenuated by bacterial enzymatic degradation of citrate. Moreover, the rise in urinary pH resulting from Urocit ® -K therapy might promote further bacterial growth.
  • In patients with renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate of less than 0.7 ml/kg/min), because of the danger of soft tissue calcification and increased risk for the development of hyperkalemia.

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Hyperkalemia

In patients with impaired mechanisms for excreting potassium, Urocit-K administration can produce hyperkalemia and cardiac arrest. Potentially fatal hyperkalemia can develop rapidly and be asymptomatic. The use of Urocit-K in patients with chronic renal failure, or any other condition which impairs potassium excretion such as severe myocardial damage or heart failure, should be avoided. Closely monitor for signs of hyperkalemia with periodic blood tests and ECGs.

5.2 Gastrointestinal Lesions

Solid dosage forms of potassium chlorides have produced stenotic and/or ulcerative lesions of the small bowel and deaths. These lesions are caused by a high local concentration of potassium ions in the region of the dissolving tablets, which injured the bowel. In addition, perhaps because wax-matrix preparations are not enteric-coated and release some of their potassium content in the stomach, there have been reports of upper gastrointestinal bleeding associated with these products. The frequency of gastrointestinal lesions with wax-matrix potassium chloride products is estimated at one per 100,000 patient-years. Experience with Urocit-K is limited, but a similar frequency of gastrointestinal lesions should be anticipated.

If there is severe vomiting, abdominal pain or gastrointestinal bleeding, Urocit-K should be discontinued immediately and the possibility of bowel perforation or obstruction investigated.

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS

6.1 Postmarketing Experience

Some patients may develop minor gastrointestinal complaints during Urocit-K therapy, such as abdominal discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, loose bowel movements or nausea. These symptoms are due to the irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, and may be alleviated by taking the dose with meals or snacks, or by reducing the dosage. Patients may find intact matrices in their feces.

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS

7.1 Potential Effects of Potassium Citrate on Other Drugs

Potassium-sparing Diuretics: Concomitant administration of Urocit-K and a potassium-sparing diuretic (such as triamterene, spironolactone or amiloride) should be avoided since the simultaneous administration of these agents can produce severe hyperkalemia.

7.2 Potential Effects of Other Drugs on Potassium Citrate

Drugs that slow gastrointestinal transit time: These agents (such as anticholinergics) can be expected to increase the gastrointestinal irritation produced by potassium salts.

7.3 Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitors

Drugs that inhibit the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) including angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), spironolactone, eplerenone, or aliskiren produce potassium retention by inhibiting aldosterone production. Closely monitor potassium in patients receiving concomitant RAAS therapy.

7.4 Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs may produce potassium retention by reducing renal synthesis of prostagladin E and impairing the renin-angiotensin system. Closely monitor potassium in patients on concomitant NSAIDs.

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

8.1 Pregnancy

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted. It is also not known whether Urocit-K can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Urocit-K should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

8.3 Nursing Mothers

The normal potassium ion content of human milk is about 13 mEq/L. It is not known if Urocit-K has an effect on this content. Urocit-K should be given to a woman who is breastfeeding only if clearly needed.

8.4 Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

10 OVERDOSAGE

Treatment of Overdosage: The administration of potassium salts to persons without predisposing conditions for hyperkalemia rarely causes serious hyperkalemia at recommended dosages. It is important to recognize that hyperkalemia is usually asymptomatic and may be manifested only by an increased serum potassium concentration and characteristic electrocardiographic changes (peaking of T-wave, loss of P-wave, depression of S-T segment and prolongation of the QT interval). Late manifestations include muscle paralysis and cardiovascular collapse from cardiac arrest.

Treatment measures for hyperkalemia include the following:

1. Patients should be closely monitored for arrhythmias and electrolyte changes.

2. Elimination of medications containing potassium and of agents with potassium-sparing properties such as potassium-sparing diuretics, ARBs, ACE inhibitors, NSAIDs, certain nutritional supplements and many others.

3. Elimination of foods containing high levels of potassium such as almonds, apricots, bananas, beans (lima, pinto, white), cantaloupe, carrot juice (canned), figs, grapefruit juice, halibut, milk, oat bran, potato (with skin), salmon, spinach, tuna and many others.

4. Intravenous calcium gluconate if the patient is at no risk or low risk of developing digitalis toxicity.

5. Intravenous administration of 300-500 mL/hr of 10% dextrose solution containing 10-20 units of crystalline insulin per 1,000 mL.
6. Correction of acidosis, if present, with intravenous sodium bicarbonate.

7. Hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
8. Exchange resins may be used. However, this measure alone is not sufficient for the acute treatment of hyperkalemia.

Lowering potassium levels too rapidly in patients taking digitalis can produce digitalis toxicity.

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