K-Citra Potassium Citrate® Oral Alkalinizer for Kidney Stone Prevention

What K-Citra® Is and How It Works

K-Citra Potassium Citrate is an oral alkalinizing medicine used to reduce the risk of certain kidney stones and to correct metabolic acidosis in renal tubular acidosis. It supplies citrate and potassium ions. Citrate binds urinary calcium and raises urine pH, which lowers stone-forming supersaturation. Many people also seek K-Citra Potassium Citrate without insurance to limit out-of-pocket costs.

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This product is usually prescribed to prevent recurrent calcium oxalate or uric acid stones. It is also used in distal renal tubular acidosis to correct low citrate and acid-base imbalance. Tablets are taken by mouth, typically with meals and plenty of water. Dosing is individualized based on urinary citrate and pH targets. Learn more about related conditions like Kidney Stones and Renal Tubular Acidosis.

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Dosage and Usage

• Typical starting dose for stone prevention: 10 mEq potassium citrate with each meal (for example, 10 mEq three times daily). Prescribers adjust to reach urinary citrate above 320 mg/day and urine pH around 6.0–7.0.
• Renal tubular acidosis: dosing may range from 1–2 mEq/kg/day in divided doses. The regimen is tailored to acid-base goals and lab results.
• Swallow extended-release tablets whole. Do not crush, chew, or split.
• Take with meals or within 30 minutes after eating, and drink adequate fluids during the day.
• If a dose is missed, take it when remembered unless it is close to the next dose. Do not double doses.
• Report swallowing problems, severe stomach pain, tarry stools, or persistent vomiting to a healthcare professional.
• Drug interactions can raise potassium levels. Review diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium supplements, and NSAIDs with a pharmacist or prescriber. For a primer, see Drug Interactions The Top Interactions That Should Be On Your Radar.

• Store tablets at room temperature, 15–25 °C (59–77 °F), in a dry place.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed to protect from moisture. Do not use damaged or wet tablets.
• For travel, keep tablets in the original labeled container in your carry-on. Bring enough for the full trip.
• Avoid heat above 30 °C (86 °F) and freezing temperatures.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits and Savings

Potassium citrate reduces the recurrence of calcium oxalate and uric acid stones by increasing urinary citrate and alkalinizing the urine. It helps prevent crystal formation and growth. In distal renal tubular acidosis, it corrects metabolic acidosis and supports bone and kidney health. The tablet format is convenient for home and travel use.

Many customers choose Canadian pharmacies for budget relief. Buying K-Citra Potassium Citrate online can offer 60–80% savings compared with typical US retail prices. If paying K-Citra Potassium Citrate cost without insurance, a 90-day supply often lowers the per-month price, and bulk promotions can further reduce your average spend.

For current deals, see our K-Citra Potassium Citrate coupon options on Promotions.

You may set gentle reorder reminders in your account to avoid gaps in therapy. US shipping is available at Canadian prices.

Side Effects and Safety

• Upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting
• Diarrhea or loose stools
• Abdominal discomfort or gas
• Mild throat irritation if tablets are not swallowed promptly
• Transient change in stool appearance from the tablet’s non-absorbed matrix

Serious but less common risks include high potassium (muscle weakness, tingling, irregular heartbeat), gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, and intestinal obstruction in those with delayed gastric emptying or strictures. Risk of hyperkalemia increases with kidney impairment, dehydration, potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or high potassium intake. Seek urgent care for severe symptoms.

Onset Time

Urine pH and citrate levels often begin to rise within several days of starting therapy. Lab and urine test adjustments guide dosing during the first few weeks. Stone recurrence reduction is assessed over months. Many patients see benefit after consistent use and sustained urine chemistry targets. Adherence to hydration and diet advice supports results.

Compare With Alternatives

Other alkalinizing options include sodium citrate/citric acid solutions and sodium bicarbonate. These can raise urine pH but add sodium, which may be less suitable for people limiting sodium intake or using thiazide diuretics.

Thiazide diuretics reduce urinary calcium and are often used in calcium stone prevention. They work by a different mechanism and may be combined with potassium citrate when appropriate. For background on fluid balance and diuretics, read It Goes In It Must Go Out Fluids Balance And Diuretics.

Allopurinol addresses high uric acid production. It does not alkalinize urine, so it may be paired with potassium citrate in uric acid stone formers when clinically appropriate.

Combination Therapy

• With thiazide diuretics for calcium oxalate stones; potassium citrate can help maintain urine citrate while thiazides reduce urinary calcium.
• With increased fluid intake and dietary measures (such as moderate sodium, adequate calcium, and reduced oxalate) to support stone prevention plans.
• With allopurinol in hyperuricosuria or uric acid stones when reduction of uric acid production is needed.
• Dose adjustments may be needed to limit hyperkalemia risk when combined with RAAS blockers or potassium-sparing agents.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates often include those with recurrent calcium oxalate stones and low urinary citrate, uric acid stone formers who need urine alkalinization, and individuals with distal renal tubular acidosis. Lab monitoring guides safe and effective use.

Potassium citrate may not be appropriate for people with chronic kidney disease that impairs potassium excretion, untreated hyperkalemia, Addison’s disease, severe dehydration, active peptic ulcer disease, gastrointestinal obstruction or stricture, or delayed gastric emptying. Close review is also needed when using ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, or salt substitutes high in potassium. People with infections from urease-producing bacteria may need different management because alkaline urine can favor struvite stones.

To manage the K-Citra Potassium Citrate price, consider multi-month fills to reduce dispensing fees, and compare the K-Citra Potassium Citrate cash price with insurance copays when applicable. Reorder reminders help maintain steady supply. If you need K-Citra Potassium Citrate without insurance, a 90-day quantity often brings the best per-tablet value.

Authoritative Sources

FDA DailyMed: Potassium citrate extended-release tablets labeling

Health Canada Drug Product Database: potassium citrate listings

FDA Drug Approval Files: potassium citrate (Urocit-K) overview

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This content is educational and does not replace medical advice from your healthcare professional.