Citrates (Systemic)
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For citrates, the following
should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to potassium citrate or potassium. Also tell your health
care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods,
preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done
in either humans or animals.
Breast-feeding - Although it is not known whether citrates pass
into the breast milk, this medicine has not been reported to cause problems
in nursing babies.
Children - Although there is no specific information comparing
use of citrates in children with use in other age groups, these medicines
are not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than
they do in adults.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects
or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use
of citrates in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking
citrates, it is especially important that your health care professional know
if you are taking any of the following:
-
Amiloride (e.g., Midamor) or
-
Benazepril (e.g., Lotensin) or
-
Captopril (e.g., Capoten) or
-
Digitalis glycosides (heart medicine) or
-
Enalapril (e.g., Vasotec) or
-
Fosinopril (e.g., Monotril) or
-
Heparin (e.g., Panheprin) or
-
Lisinopril (e.g., Prinivil; Zestril) or
-
Medicines for inflammation or pain (except narcotics) or
-
Potassium-containing medicines (other) or
-
Quinapril (e.g., Accuprol) or
-
Ramipril (e.g., Altase) or
-
Salt substitutes, low-salt foods or milk or
-
Spironolactone (e.g., Aldactone) or
-
Triamterene (e.g., Dyrenium) - Use with potassium-containing
citrates may further increase potassium blood levels, possibly leading to
serious side effects
-
Antacids, especially those containing aluminum or sodium bicarbonate - Use
with citrates may increase the risk of kidney stones; also, citrates may increase
the amount of aluminum in the blood and cause serious side effects, especially
in patients with kidney problems
-
Methenamine (e.g., Mandelamine) - Use with citrates may make
the methenamine less effective
-
Quinidine (e.g., Quinidex) - Use with citrates may cause quinidine
to build up in the bloodstream, possibly leading to serious side effects
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of citrates. Make sure you tell your doctor if
you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Addison's disease (underactive adrenal glands) or
-
Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) or
-
Kidney disease - The potassium in potassium-containing citrates
may worsen or cause heart problems in patients with these conditions
-
Diarrhea (chronic) - Treatment with citrates may not be effective;
a change in dose of citrate may be needed
-
Edema (swelling of the feet or lower legs) or
-
High blood pressure or
-
Toxemia of pregnancy - The sodium in sodium-containing citrates
may cause the body to retain (keep) water
-
Heart disease - The sodium in sodium-containing citrates may
cause the body to retain (keep) water; the potassium in potassium-containing
citrates may make heart disease worse
-
Intestinal or esophageal blockage - Potassium citrate tablets
may cause irritation of the stomach or intestines
-
Stomach ulcer or other stomach problems - Potassium citrate-containing
products may make these conditions worse
-
Urinary tract infection - Citrates may make conditions worse
|