A case of slow-release potassium chloride overdose

Abstract

An 86-year-old gentleman was brought to the emergency department after a massive overdose of slow-release potassium chloride and indapamide. The initial serum potassium was 6.8 mmol/L. His abdominal X-ray did not reveal any radio-opaque drugs. Whole bowel irrigation was commenced shortly after presentation. There was no rebound of hyperkalaemia and his stay in the acute hospital was short. Slow-release potassium overdose is uncommonly reported in the medical literature; such poisoning in the elderly has not been reported. Previous case reports are summarised and the management of this uncommon poisoning is discussed.