Potassium chloride extended-release tablets USP are a solid oral dosage form of potassium chloride. Each contains 600 mg or 750 mg of potassium chloride equivalent to 8 mEq or 10 mEq of potassium in a wax matrix tablet. Potassium chloride extended-release tablets USP are an electrolyte replenisher. The chemical name is potassium chloride, and the structural formula is KCl. Potassium chloride, USP is a white, crystalline powder or colorless crystals. It is odorless and has a saline taste. Its solutions are neutral to litmus. It is freely soluble in water and practically insoluble in ethanol. Inactive Ingredients: Colloidal silicon dioxide, hydrogenated vegetable oil, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc and titanium dioxide. In addition, the 8 mEq tablets contain iron oxide red. FDA approved acceptance criteria for assay differs from USP test. Meets USP Dissolution Test 5.

What kind of drug is chloride?

The FDA classifies chloride as an osmotic laxative. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take chloride with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run chloride against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is chloride sold under?

We track 15 chloride-containing products in the U.S.: Potassium Chloride, K-Tab, Ten-K, Bacteriostatic Sodium Chloride 0.9% in Plastic Container, Sodium Chloride 0.9% in Plastic Container, Broncho Saline, K+8 and Kaon Cl, and 7 more. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does chloride come in?

Across the brands we track, chloride is currently marketed as injectable, capsule, extended release, solution, powder, tablet, tablet, extended release and spray/inhaler, metered, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic chloride?

Yes. Our catalog lists 3 generic chloride products alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Has chloride been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists at least 5 recall records whose product description mentions chloride. The most recent: hydrOXYzine Hydrochloride Oral Solution (Jun 2, 2026). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Chloride: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Chloride is an osmotic laxative sold in the U.S. under 15 brand and generic names, for hypokalemia, dehydration and hyponatremia. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Osmotic Laxative
Treats: Hypokalemia, Dehydration and Hyponatremia
Available as: Injectable · Capsule, extended release · Solution · Powder · Tablet · Tablet, extended release · Spray/Inhaler, metered
Sold as: 15 products — Potassium Chloride, K-Tab and Ten-K, and others
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $0 for a 30-count supply

How chloride is dosed

From the FDA label for K-Tab (application NDA018279). Other chloride products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Monitor serum potassium and adjust dosages accordingly (2.1) If serum potassium is less than 2.5 mEq/L, use intravenous potassium instead of oral supplementation (2.1) Take with meals and with a glass of water or other liquid. Swallow tablets whole without crushing, chewing or sucking. (2.1) Treatment of hypokalemia : Doses range from 40 to 100 mEq/day in divided doses. Limit doses to 40 mEq per dose. (2.2) Prevention of hypokalemia : Typical dose is 20 mEq per day. (2.2) 2.1 Administration and Monitoring If serum potassium concentration is less than 2.5 mEq/L, use intravenous potassium instead of oral supplementation. Monitoring Monitor serum potassium and adjust dosages accordingly. Monitor serum potassium periodically during maintenance therapy to ensure potassium remains in desired range. The treatment of potassium depletion, particularly in the presence of cardiac disease, renal disease, or acidosis, requires careful attention to acid-base balance, volume status, electrolytes, including magnesium, sodium, chloride, phosphate, and calcium, electrocardiograms, and the clinical status of the patient. Correct volume status, acid-base balance, and electrolyte deficits as appropriate. Administration Take potassium chloride extended-release tablets with meals and with a glass of water or other liquid. Do not take potassium chloride extended-release tablets on an empty stomach…

Chloride side effects

The following adverse reactions have been identified with use of oral potassium salts. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The most common adverse reactions to oral potassium salts are nausea, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal pain/discomfort, and diarrhea. There have been reports hyperkalemia and of upper and lower gastrointestinal condition including obstruction, bleeding, ulceration, perforation. Skin rash has been reported rarely. The most common adverse reactions are nausea, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal pain/discomfort and diarrhea. (6) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. at 1-866-850-2876 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch

Every chloride product we track (15)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Chloride products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Potassium Chloride	72/100	Prescription	Injectable	Generic	$0	View →
2	K-Tab	70/100	Prescription	Tablet	Generic

What chloride pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Chloride pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
020;novitium	2 mg	brown	capsule	—
F;92	8 mg	yellow	oval	—
021;novitium	5 mg	blue, brown	capsule	—
PRA;5	5 mg	yellow, blue	capsule	—
G;12	1000 mg	white	oval	—
0018;1000	1000 mg

Combination products containing chloride

A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.

Chloride recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Frequently asked questions

What is chloride?: Potassium chloride extended-release tablets USP are a solid oral dosage form of potassium chloride. Each contains 600 mg or 750 mg of potassium chloride equivalent to 8 mEq or 10 mEq of potassium in a wax matrix tablet. Potassium chloride extended-release tablets USP are an electrolyte replenisher. The chemical name is potassium chloride, and the structural formula is KCl. Potassium chloride, USP is a white, crystalline powder or colorless crystals. It is odorless and has a saline taste. Its solutions are neutral to litmus. It is freely soluble in water and practically insoluble in ethanol. Inactive Ingredients: Colloidal silicon dioxide, hydrogenated vegetable oil, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc and titanium dioxide. In addition, the 8 mEq tablets contain iron oxide red. FDA approved acceptance criteria for assay differs from USP test. Meets USP Dissolution Test 5.
What kind of drug is chloride?: The FDA classifies chloride as an osmotic laxative. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take chloride with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run chloride against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is chloride sold under?: We track 15 chloride-containing products in the U.S.: Potassium Chloride, K-Tab, Ten-K, Bacteriostatic Sodium Chloride 0.9% in Plastic Container, Sodium Chloride 0.9% in Plastic Container, Broncho Saline, K+8 and Kaon Cl, and 7 more. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does chloride come in?: Across the brands we track, chloride is currently marketed as injectable, capsule, extended release, solution, powder, tablet, tablet, extended release and spray/inhaler, metered, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.