Formulation, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics of sustained-release potassium chloride tablets

The release of potassium chloride incorporated into hydrogenated vegetable oil and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose matrix tablets was studied in vitro. The formulations containing 20% hydrogenated vegetable oil and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose showed a sustained-release profile comparable to that of a standard commercially available sustained-release preparation, containing 8 mEq potassium chloride embedded in a wax material. The formulated and standard sustained-release potassium chloride tablets were compared to a conventional enteric-coated potassium chloride tablet in 10 healthy subjects. Mean recoveries in 24-hr urine potassium levels from four dosage forms (after subtracting normal urine potassium excretion levels) were 76 +/- 32% from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, 95 +/- 22% from hydrogenated vegetable oil-incorporated matrix tablets, 91 +/- 29% from commercially available sustained-release tablets, and 97 +/- 13% from enteric-coated tablets. There was no significant difference (P greater than 0.05) in the time to reach maximum excretion rates among the three sustained-release tablets. No significant adverse effect was experienced with any of the preparations.