Sando-K

Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

1. What Sando-K is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Sando-K
3. How to take Sando-K
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Sando-K
6. Contents of the pack and other information

• are allergic to potassium chloride, potassium bicarbonate or any of the other ingredients of Sando-K (listed in Section 6). An allergic reaction may include rash, itching, difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue.
• have a severe kidney disorder with little or no urine production
• suffer from uncontrolled Addison's disease (where the adrenal glands do not produce enough of a hormone called cortisol)
• have high potassium levels
• have crush injuries (which usually result from major trauma e.g. major road traffic injuries with damage to the chest)
• are dehydrated.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Sando-K if you

• have heart disease or you are taking digitalis (a drug for heart failure)
• have stiff muscles (myotonia congenital)
• have severe breakdown of red blood cells
• have a build-up of acid in your blood - your blood will need to be monitored
• have high blood pressure - your treatment may lower it
• are taking potassium sparing diuretics (water tablets)
• are taking ACE inhibitors (treatments for high blood pressure or heart failure e.g. captopril, enalapril and lisinopril).

Each tablet contains 470 mg Potassium (12 mmol). This should be taken into consideration if you have reduced kidney function.

Periodic blood tests and electrocardiographs (ECG) should be performed whilst you are taking Sando-K.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

In particular, the following medicines may interact with Sando-K:

• potassium sparing diuretics (water tablets)
• ACE inhibitors (treatments for high blood pressure or heart failure)
• digitalis (a drug for heart failure).

It may still be all right for you to be given Sando-K and your doctor will be able to decide what is suitable for you.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Sando-K should have no effect on your ability to drive or use machines.

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

The recommended dose is:

2-4 tablets per day dissolved in 1/3 to 1/2 glass of water (50-70 ml).

The tablets can be taken at meal times if preferred.

For very low potassium levels: larger doses (8-16 tablets per day) may be given.

If you take more Sando-K than you should, you may get pins and needles in your fingers and toes, feel confused, weak, paralysed or listless and have low blood pressure or heart problems. If you take too many tablets, go to the nearest casualty department or contact your doctor immediately. Take your tablet container with you.

If you miss a dose, take one as soon as you can. If you have missed several doses, tell your doctor. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

• Any sudden wheeziness
• Difficulty in breathing
• Swelling of the eyelids, face or lips
• Rash or itching (especially affecting your whole body)

The following side effects have also been reported:

• Abdominal (tummy) discomfort
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting
• Stomach irritation – this is rare and can be reduced by taking Sando-K with food.

If you get any side effects talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for ‘MHRA Yellow Card’ in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

The active substances are potassium chloride and potassium bicarbonate. Each tablet contains the equivalent of 600 mg potassium chloride and 400 mg potassium bicarbonate.

The other ingredients are: Dioctyle sodium sulphosuccinate, colloidal anhydrous silica, talc (acid washed), sodium saccharin, icing sugar, pulverised sugar, citric acid anhydrous and polyethylene glycol 4000.

The tablets are flat, white and effervescent and are available in polypropylene (plastic) tubes of 20 effervescent tablets with a silica gel desiccant capsule. Each carton contains 5 tubes of 20 effervescent tablets.