Potassium Bitartrate

Potassium Bitartrate Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Potassium bitartate, also referred to as potassium acid tartrate or cream of tartar, is the potassium acid salt of l-( + )-tartaric acid. It is obtained as a byproduct of wine manufacture during the fermentation process. Approved by the FDA as a direct food substance, potassium bitartrate is used as an additive, stabilizer, pH control agent, antimicrobial agent, processing aid, or thickener in various food products . Potassium Bitartrate has a long history of medical use as a laxative administered as a rectal suppository and is an approved third-class OTC drug in Japan.

Potassium Bitartrate was one of active ingredients in Phexxi, a non-hormonal contraceptive agent that was approved by the FDA on May 2020.

Potassium Bitartrate potentiates bowel movements. In medical studies, it was shown to be an effective treatment for chronic constipationwhen combined with sodium bicarbonate in a polyethylene glycol-based suppository .

Potassium Bitartrate
Uses
Dosage
Side Effect
Precautions
Interactions
Uses during Pregnancy
Uses during Breastfeeding
Accute Overdose
Food Interaction
Half Life
Volume of Distribution
Clearance
Interaction With other Medicine
Contradiction
Storage

Trade Name	Potassium Bitartrate
Generic	Potassium bitartrate
Potassium bitartrate Other Names	Potassium bitartrate, potassium hydrogen tartrate
Type
Formula	C₄H₅KO₆
Weight	Average: 188.176 Monoisotopic: 187.97231937
Protein binding	No pharmacokinetic data available.
Groups	Experimental
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer
Available Country
Last Updated:	September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am

Uses

Potassium Bitartrate is a laxative used to treat constipation.

Indicated for the treatment of constipation.

Potassium Bitartrate is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Chemical contraception

How Potassium Bitartrate works

Potassium Bitartrate is a carbon dioxide-releasing laxative that works by forming carbon dioxide gas, which creates a mechanical distension against the intestinal wall and induces bowel contractions. Rectal suppositories of carbon dioxide-releasing type of laxative were demonstrated to be useful and safe in the treatment of patients at risk for electrolyte disorders such as the elderly or patients with renal or cardiovascular disorders .

Toxicity

Lowest published lethal dose in rat via oral route is 22000 mg/kg . Cases of hyperkalemia have been reported with ingestion of a large quantity of potassium bitartrate .