12/02/2025
POTASSIUM is an electrolyte indicated for health conditions that cause hypokalemia or depletion of potassium.
Someone came into the pharmacy asking for potassium chloride tablets. When we asked which dose and if he had the prescription with him, he answered us that he did not know because "pinabili lang sa kanya." He also did not have a prescription.
When we asked if the person who asked him to buy it has the prescription, he said no as well. According to him, the person takes potassium chloride occasionally upon experiencing certain symptoms similar to the ones he had before when he was hospitalized a long time ago.
His actual words were, "Na-ospital kasi siya dati at yang gamot na yan ang binigay sa kanya. Kaya umiinom sya niyan kapag sinusumpong siya ng simtomas."
We had to reiterate that a patient cannot take any electrolyte tablet, like potassium, just based on subjective symptoms. It must be based on the patient's potassium level in the blood. In other words, electrolyte depletion can only be ascertained through a blood test.
Therefore, potassium chloride, like all electrolyte tablets, requires a prescription. It is not an over-the-counter drug, like a pain-reliever, that can be taken whenever.
In the middle of the conversation, he blurted out after checking his phone: "Okay na po pala. Nakabili na po siya sa ibang botika. Eh bakit po siya nabigyan dun kahit wala siyang reseta?"
We further explained that taking it is no simple thing. Taking it inappropriately, such as in excess can cause the heart to beat too slowly. We advised him to advise his friend to go back to his doctor to be observed and properly assessed.
As for his question, we said that we can’t speak for other establishments, but what we know is our pharmacy was founded to give the right medication information and perform the right dispensing practices.
