Hyperkalaemia (Guidelines)

TAM (Treatments and Medicines) NHS Highland
NHS Highland

Audience

  • HHSCP only
  • Secondary care only
  • Adults only

This guideline has been adapted from the 2023 UK Kidney Association Hyperkalaemia Guideline (see resources).

MHRA Drug Safety Update June 2023: Calcium chloride, calcium gluconate: potential risk of underdosing with calcium gluconate in severe hyperkalaemia

Emergency management of acute hyperkalaemia in adults (not DKA)

Haemodialysis patients

Inform the renal team immediately if a dialysis patient presents with hyperkalaemia as medical treatments will only temporarily control K+ level.

Signs and symptoms

Often non-specific and may include:

  • ECG abnormalities (see below): *Requires urgent treatment*
  • Fast irregular pulse
  • Chest pain
  • Muscle weakness and paralysis
  • Muscle cramps
  • Palpitations

Causes of hyperkalaemia include:

  • Acute Kidney Injury or Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Dialysis dependency (haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis)
  • Metabolic acidosis
  • Rhabdomyolysis
  • Tumour lysis syndrome
  • Burns/trauma
  • Hypoaldosteronism
  • Insulin deficiency DKA in patients with diabetes
  • Pseudohyperkalaemia. Possible causes:
    • Test tube haemolysis
    • Prolonged tourniquet time
    • Marked leucocytosis and thrombocytosis (measure whole blood potassium in lithium heparin tube in these disease states)
    • EDTA contamination (from FBC sample tube)

Medication causes:

The medication history is an important part of determining the aetiology of hyperkalaemia. Ask about current medication, recent changes and the use of over the counter medicines. (N.B. this list is not comprehensive)

Consider stopping or withholding:

  • ACE inhibitors/Angiotensin II receptor antagonists
  • Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists e.g. spironolactone, eplerenone
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Beta-blockers such as bisoprolol
  • Trimethoprim, co-trimoxazole
  • Potassium oral supplements and IV infusions and salt substitutes (e.g. LoSalt)

The following must NOT be stopped or withheld without senior advice:

  • Heparin and enoxaparin used in VTE prophylaxis or treatment of DVT/PE
  • Tacrolimus and ciclosporin used for immunosuppression
A LOW POTASSIUM DIET is recommended for patients with persistent hyperkalaemia.

Hyperkalaemia algorithm

To print a copy of 'the emergency management of hyperkalaemia algorithm', click here. (NHS Highland intranet access required).

User guide for sodium zirconium cyclosilicate

 

Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate
Mechanism of action Non-absorbed, non-polymer inorganic powder.
Highly selective for K+ ions.
Site of action Entire GI tract
Formulation Lokelma® 10g powder for oral suspension
Administration Add to 45 mL of water, drink while cloudy. If the powder settles, the tasteless liquid should be stirred again and taken. Take with or without food.
Dosing in acute hyperkalaemia 10g three times daily for up to 72 hrs. 
If normokalaemia is not achieved after 72 hours of treatment, other treatment approaches should be considered.
Maintenance therapy NOT Highland Formulary approved.
Renal/hepatic impairment No dose adjustments needed, including for haemodialysis patients.
Blood monitoring Check K+ level daily.
When to stop Discontinue when normal serum K+ level achieved (K+ 5.0 or less)
Drug/drug interactions

Administer at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after oral medications with clinically meaningful gastric pH dependent bioavailability.

Examples: Azole antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole and posaconazole), anti-HIV drugs (atazanavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, raltegravir, ledipasvir and rilpivirine) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (erlotinib, dasatinib and nilotinib).
Onset of effect 1 hour after first dose.
Efficacy Normokalaemia can be achieved typically within 24 to 48 hours.
Common adverse effects
  • GI disorders (mild / moderate).
  • Oedema: reported in 5.7% of patients treated with SZC during maintenance phase of clinical trials.
  • Hypokalaemia: reported in 4.1% of patients treated with Lokelma® in clinical trials.
  • X-rays: SZC may be opaque to X-rays. Consider when evaluating abdominal films

References

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 10/10/2024

Next review date: 29/10/2027

Author(s): Renal Department.

Version: 3

Approved By: approved by TAM subgroup of the ADTC

Reviewer name(s): Dr S Lambie, Consultant Nephrologist, K McCulloch, Renal Pharmacist.

Document Id: TAM290

Related resources