Potassium citrate

Potassium citrate

Names
IUPAC name tripotassium citrate
Identifiers
CAS Number	866-84-2 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1200458 N
ChemSpider	12775 Y
Jmol 3D model	Interactive image
PubChem	13344
InChI InChI=1S/C6H8O7.3K/c7-3(8)1-6(13,5(11)12)2-4(9)10;;;/h13H,1-2H2,(H,7,8)(H,9,10)(H,11,12);;;/q;3*+1/p-3 Y Key: QEEAPRPFLLJWCF-UHFFFAOYSA-K Y InChI=1/C6H8O7.3K/c7-3(8)1-6(13,5(11)12)2-4(9)10;;;/h13H,1-2H2,(H,7,8)(H,9,10)(H,11,12);;;/q;3*+1/p-3 Key: QEEAPRPFLLJWCF-DFZHHIFOAD
SMILES [K+].[K+].[K+].O=C([O-])CC(O)(C([O-])=O)CC(=O)[O-]
Properties
Chemical formula	C6H5K3O7
Molar mass	306.395 g/mol
Appearance	white powder hygroscopic
Odor	odorless
Density	1.98 g/cm3
Melting point	180 °C (356 °F; 453 K)
Boiling point	230 °C (446 °F; 503 K)
Solubility in water	soluble
Solubility	soluble in glycerin insoluble in ethanol (95%)
Acidity (pKa)	8.5
Pharmacology
ATC code	A12BA02
Vapor pressure	{{{value}}}
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Potassium citrate (also known as tripotassium citrate) is a potassium salt of citric acid with the molecular formula C₆H₅K₃O₇. It is a white, hygroscopic crystalline powder. It is odorless with a saline taste. It contains 38.3% potassium by mass. In the monohydrate form it is highly hygroscopic and deliquescent.

As a food additive, potassium citrate is used to regulate acidity and is known as E number E332. Medicinally, it may be used to control kidney stones derived from either uric acid or cystine.

Production

Potassium citrate is produced by adding potassium bicarbonate or potassium carbonate to a solution of citric acid until effervescence ceases, filtering the solution and evaporating to granulation.

Uses

Potassium citrate is rapidly absorbed when given by mouth and is excreted in the urine. Since it is an alkaline salt it is effective in reducing the pain and frequency of urination when these are caused by highly acidic urine. It is used for this purpose in dogs and cats, but is chiefly employed as a non-irritating diuretic.

Potassium citrate is an effective way to treat/manage gout and arrhythmia, if the patient is hypokalemic.

It is widely used to treat urinary calculi (kidney stones) and is often used by patients with cystinuria. A study of 500 patients with recurrent stones found that it reduced the frequency of stones from 2 per year to a half per year.

It is also used as an alkanizing agent in the treatment of mild urinary tract infections such as cystitis.

Usual Adult Dose: 3 to 6 teaspoonfuls (15 to 30 mL), diluted with 1 glass of water, after meals and at bedtime, or as directed by a physician.

Usual Pediatric Dose: 1 to 3 teaspoonfuls (5 to 15 mL), diluted with 1/2 glass of water, after meals and at bedtime, or as directed by a physician.

Usual Dosage Range: 2 to 3 teaspoonfuls (10 to 15 mL), diluted with a glassful of water, taken four times a day. A brand, Cytra-K Oral Solution, diluted with a glassful of water, taken four times a day will usually maintain a urinary pH of 7.0-7.6 throughout most of the 24 hours without unpleasant side effects.

It is also used in many soft drinks as a buffering agent.

Administration

Potassium citrate is usually administered by mouth in dilute aqueous solution. This is because of its somewhat caustic effect on the stomach lining, and the potential for other mild health hazards.

In the United-States, in states where non-prescription potassium citrate is legal, the maximum allowable over-the-counter (OTC) dose for elemental potassium is regulated by the FDA to be no more than 100 mg (approximately 3% of the daily allowance). Pure potassium citrate contains 38.28% potassium.

External links

• Potassium citrate improves renal function in rats with polycystic kidney disease by Dr. GA Tanner