Potassium citrate
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Names | |
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IUPAC name
tripotassium citrate
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Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.011.596 ![]() |
E number | E332(ii) (antioxidants, ...) |
PubChem CID
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
K3C6H5O7 | |
Molar mass | 306.395 g/mol |
Appearance | white powder hygroscopic |
Odor | odorless |
Density | 1.98 g/cm3 |
Melting point | 180 °C (356 °F; 453 K)[1] |
Boiling point | 230 °C (446 °F; 503 K)[1] |
soluble | |
Solubility | soluble in glycerin insoluble in ethanol (95%) |
Acidity (pKa) | 8.5 |
Pharmacology | |
A12BA02 (WHO) | |
Hazards | |
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LD50 (median dose)
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170 mg/kg (IV, dog) |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
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Infobox references | |
Potassium citrate (also known as tripotassium citrate) is a potassium salt of citric acid with the molecular formula K3C6H5O7. It is a white, hygroscopic crystalline powder. It is odorless with a saline taste. It contains 38.28% potassium by mass. In the monohydrate form, it is highly hygroscopic and deliquescent.
As a food additive, potassium citrate is used to regulate acidity, and is known as E number E332. Medicinally, it may be used to control kidney stones derived from uric acid or cystine.
Production[edit]
Potassium citrate is produced by adding potassium bicarbonate or potassium carbonate to a solution of citric acid until effervescence ceases, filtering the solution, and evaporating to granulation.
Uses[edit]
Potassium citrate is rapidly absorbed when given by mouth, and is excreted in the urine.[2] Since it is an alkaline salt, it is effective in reducing the pain and frequency of urination when these are caused by highly acidic urine.[3] It is used for this purpose in dogs and cats, but is chiefly employed as a non-irritating diuretic.
Potassium citrate is an effective way to treat/manage gout[4] and arrhythmia,[medical citation needed] if the patient is hypokalemic.
It is widely used to treat urinary calculi (kidney stones), and is often used by patients with cystinuria.[medical citation needed] A study of 500 patients with recurrent stones found that it reduced the frequency of stones from 2 per year to 0.5 per year.
It is also used as an alkalizing agent in the treatment of mild urinary tract infections, such as cystitis.[5]
It is also used in many soft drinks as a buffering agent.[6]
Administration[edit]
Potassium citrate is usually administered by mouth in dilute aqueous solution, because of its somewhat caustic effect on the stomach lining, and the potential for other mild health hazards.
References[edit]
External links[edit]
- Tanner, G.A. "Potassium citrate improves renal function in rats with polycystic kidney disease". Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Retrieved December 17, 2016.