Potassium citrate

Pronunciation: poh-TASS-ee-um SIT-rate.

Generic name
potassium citrate
Drug class
Urinary alkalinising agent (potassium salt)
Form
Extended/slow-release tablet, prolonged-release granules, or oral solution/mixture, depending on country and brand
Route
Oral
Legal status
Prescription-only in some countries and uses (e.g. US Urocit-K, EU Sibnayal); pharmacy/OTC-type in others (e.g. UK, New Zealand, for short-term symptomatic use)

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand

Australia: K-Citra 10 (6), Urocit-K (6) · Full directory

What potassium citrate is and how it works

Potassium citrate is a potassium salt that makes the urine less acidic (more alkaline). Depending on the country and product, it is used either to help prevent certain kidney stones and treat a condition called renal tubular acidosis, or for short-term relief of the stinging/discomfort of a urine infection alongside proper antibiotic treatment. (1) (2)

Take potassium citrate exactly as your prescriber or pharmacist directs, with food or a snack, and with plenty of fluid. If you have an extended-release tablet, swallow it whole -- do not crush, chew, or suck on it. It is important to tell your prescriber about your kidney function and any other medicines you take, since potassium citrate can raise blood potassium to dangerous levels in some situations.

Mechanism of action: how potassium citrate works

Potassium citrate is metabolised to bicarbonate, providing an alkali load that raises urinary pH and citrate excretion; citrate directly inhibits calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate crystallisation and increases the solubility of uric acid, reducing stone formation and recurrence. (1)

What potassium citrate is used for

Prevention/management of certain kidney stones and renal tubular acidosis (prescription use)

Used to manage renal tubular acidosis with calcium stones, hypocitraturic calcium oxalate kidney stones, and uric acid stones (with or without calcium stones), by raising urinary citrate and pH. Also used in the EU (as Sibnayal, combined with potassium hydrogen carbonate) specifically to treat distal renal tubular acidosis in adults, adolescents, and children aged 1 year and older. (1) (3)

Short-term symptomatic relief of urinary discomfort (UK, New Zealand)

Used for short-term relief of dysuria (pain or stinging when passing urine) associated with mild urinary tract infections, especially cystitis. This use provides symptomatic relief only -- it is not an antibacterial treatment, and proper antibiotic treatment (if needed) should still be used alongside it, as directed by a prescriber or pharmacist. (2) (7)

Before taking potassium citrate

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Do not take potassium citrate if you have high blood potassium (hyperkalaemia) or a condition that makes this more likely, such as significant kidney impairment. (all countries) (1) (2) (3)
  • Do not take potassium citrate if you have Addison's disease, a serious heart rhythm problem (ventricular arrhythmia), or a condition that slows movement through your gut, unless your prescriber has specifically advised otherwise. (United Kingdom, and generally applicable elsewhere) (2) (1)
  • Do not crush, chew, or suck extended/slow-release potassium citrate tablets -- swallow them whole. (all countries) (1)

Tell your clinician about

  • Any kidney problems or reduced kidney function.
  • Any heart conditions, especially those affecting heart rhythm.
  • All other medicines you take, especially potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g. spironolactone, amiloride), ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), or NSAIDs -- these can increase the risk of high blood potassium.
  • Any stomach or bowel problems, including peptic ulcers or slow gut transit.
  • Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
(1) (2) (4)

How to take potassium citrate

  • Take with meals or within about 30 minutes of eating, or with a bedtime snack, and with plenty of fluid, to reduce stomach upset.
  • Swallow extended-release tablets whole -- do not crush, chew, or suck them.
  • If you are using a liquid mixture, dilute it well with water as directed and take it after meals.
  • Take exactly the amount and frequency your prescriber or pharmacist has set for you -- this depends on your specific condition and, for stone prevention, your measured urinary citrate level.
(1) (2)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Missed dose

If you miss a dose, take it with your next meal or snack if it is not too close to your next scheduled dose; otherwise skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose. Contact your prescriber or pharmacist if you are unsure.

Overdose

Seek urgent medical attention if you think you have taken too much potassium citrate or have symptoms of high blood potassium, such as muscle weakness, tingling, an irregular or slow heartbeat, or confusion -- this can become life-threatening and may need emergency treatment. (1)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Nausea, abdominal discomfort, or diarrhoea, especially if not taken with food.

What to notice: Nausea, abdominal discomfort, or diarrhoea, especially if not taken with food.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1) (2)

Occasional vomiting from gastric irritation.

What to notice: Occasional vomiting from gastric irritation.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (2)

You may notice what looks like an intact tablet shell in your stool -- this is expected with the extended-release matrix and not a cause for concern.

What to notice: You may notice what looks like an intact tablet shell in your stool -- this is expected with the extended-release matrix and not a cause for concern.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Abdominal pain (a very common side effect of the EU Sibnayal formulation).

What to notice: Abdominal pain (a very common side effect of the EU Sibnayal formulation).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (3)

Serious warnings

Signs of high blood potassium (hyperkalaemia) — emergency

Symptoms: Muscle weakness or heaviness, tingling in the hands or feet, an irregular, slow, or pounding heartbeat, or confusion. This can develop rapidly and sometimes without obvious symptoms.

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately, especially if you also have kidney problems or take other medicines that raise potassium. (1) (2)

Signs of gastrointestinal injury from the extended-release tablet — emergency

Symptoms: Severe vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or signs of gastrointestinal bleeding (such as black or bloody stools).

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately -- a clinician will assess whether the medicine needs to be changed. (1)

Ongoing or worsening urinary symptoms despite treatment (for the short-term symptomatic-relief use) — high caution

Symptoms: Fever, back or flank pain, blood in the urine, or symptoms that do not improve within a couple of days.

Action: Contact your prescriber promptly, since potassium citrate only relieves symptoms and does not treat an underlying infection -- proper diagnosis and antibacterial treatment may be needed. (2)

Interactions

  • Potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g. spironolactone, amiloride) -- increased risk of severe hyperkalaemia. (1) (2) (4)
  • ACE inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) blood pressure medicines -- increased risk of hyperkalaemia. (1) (2) (4)
  • NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers) -- can increase the risk of hyperkalaemia, particularly with reduced kidney function. (1)
  • Nitrofurantoin and methenamine (antibiotics sometimes used for urinary infections) -- citrate can reduce their antibacterial effectiveness, which is why symptomatic-relief use should not replace prescribed antibiotics. (2)
  • Drugs that slow gut movement (anticholinergics) can increase gastrointestinal irritation from potassium salts. (1) (7)
  • Digoxin -- caution is needed if potassium levels are being lowered rapidly while on digoxin, as this can affect heart rhythm. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

Potassium citrate should be used in pregnancy only if clearly needed, as directed by a prescriber; formal reproductive studies have not been conducted for some formulations. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Breastfeeding

Safety during breastfeeding has not been well established for the prescription stone-prevention formulations; the short-term symptomatic-relief product is not expected to cause problems at recommended doses, but discuss with your prescriber or pharmacist. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Children

The EU Sibnayal formulation is approved from age 1 for renal tubular acidosis; UK/New Zealand symptomatic-relief products have specific pediatric dosing from age 1 or 6 depending on the product; the US extended-release stone-prevention product has not established safety and effectiveness in children. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Elderly

No specific dose adjustment based on age alone is described in the sources reviewed, but kidney function (which affects potassium clearance) should be checked, as it commonly declines with age. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Hepatic_impairment

Not specifically addressed in the sources reviewed -- tell your prescriber about any liver problems. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Renal_impairment

Significant kidney impairment is a contraindication or requires special caution, since reduced kidney function increases the risk of dangerous hyperkalaemia. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Source_ids

US-DAILYMED-UROCITK-2026,UK-EMC-POTASSIUM-CITRATE-2026,EU-EMA-SIBNAYAL-2021 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Baseline kidney function and serum electrolytes (including potassium)
  • 24-hour urinary citrate and pH for stone-prevention use
  • Review of other medicines affecting potassium

During treatment

  • Serum electrolytes, creatinine, and complete blood count roughly every 4 months for prescription stone-prevention use (more often with cardiac or kidney disease).
  • Periodic 24-hour urinary citrate and pH checks for stone-prevention use.
  • Periodic ECG in some patients.
  • Watching for symptoms of high potassium and reporting them promptly.
(1)

Storage

Store tablets in a tight, well-closed container at room temperature. Liquid mixtures should be stored below 25°C and any unused portion discarded 2 months after opening, or per the specific product label. Follow the storage instructions on your product's packaging, as these can vary by country and formulation.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US FDA, UK SmPC, and EU EPAR information reviewed; verify against the current full label before prescribing.

United States

Indication: RTA with calcium stones; hypocitraturic calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis; uric acid lithiasis

Dose summary: Individualised; 30 mEq/day (mild-moderate hypocitraturia) or 60 mEq/day (severe hypocitraturia) starting doses, in divided doses with meals, titrated to urinary citrate (goal >320 mg/day, ideally near 640 mg/day); studied up to 100 mEq/day.

Renal context: Contraindicated in significant renal insufficiency due to hyperkalaemia risk. (1)

European Union (Sibnayal)

Indication: Distal renal tubular acidosis, ages 1 year and older

Dose summary: Prolonged-release granules twice daily, individualised by age/weight and acid-base status per the product's dosing table.

Renal context: Contraindicated in moderate-to-severe renal impairment. (3)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Not specifically addressed in the sources reviewed for this dossier.

Overdose note

Overdose risk is primarily hyperkalaemia, which can cause cardiac conduction abnormalities and arrhythmia; manage with standard hyperkalaemia treatment (calcium, insulin/glucose, potassium-binding agents, dialysis if severe) and cardiac monitoring as clinically indicated. (1)

Frequently asked questions

Is potassium citrate (K-Citra) available in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?

Yes, potassium citrate is available in all of these regions, though the specific approved use and brand can differ: prescription stone-prevention/renal-tubular-acidosis products (such as Urocit-K in the US/Canada/Australia, or Sibnayal in the EU) versus short-term OTC-type symptomatic relief products (in the UK and New Zealand). The K-Citra brand itself is specifically confirmed as a currently registered product in Australia and Canada. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

Can I crush or chew my potassium citrate tablet?

No, if you have an extended/slow-release tablet, swallow it whole. Crushing, chewing, or sucking it can release the potassium too quickly and increase the risk of stomach irritation or dangerously high blood potassium. (1)

Does potassium citrate treat a urinary tract infection?

The short-term symptomatic-relief products used in the UK and New Zealand only ease the stinging discomfort of a urine infection -- they do not kill the bacteria causing it. If an infection is confirmed or suspected, proper antibacterial treatment prescribed by a clinician is still needed. (2) (7)

What is the mechanism of action of potassium citrate?

Potassium citrate is metabolised to bicarbonate, providing an alkali load that raises urinary pH and citrate excretion; citrate directly inhibits calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate crystallisation and increases the solubility of uric acid, reducing stone formation and recurrence. (1)

What is the generic name of Potassium citrate?

The generic name is potassium citrate. (1) (2) (3)

What class of drug is potassium citrate?

Potassium citrate is classed as: Urinary alkalinising agent (potassium salt). (1) (2) (3)

References

  1. Urocit-K (Potassium Citrate) Extended Release Tablets -- full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed (NIH), full prescribing information · United States · dated 2026-01-01 · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 1
  2. Potassium Citrate Mixture -- Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- Thornton & Ross Ltd · United Kingdom · dated 2026-01-01 · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 2
  3. Sibnayal (potassium citrate / potassium hydrogen carbonate) -- European Public Assessment Report overviewEuropean Medicines Agency (EMA) · European Union · dated 2021-04-30 · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 3
  4. UROCIT-K (potassium citrate) Product MonographHealth Canada product monograph · Canada · dated 2026-01-01 · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 4
  5. K-Citra (potassium citrate) -- Natural Health Product licenceHealth Canada Natural Health Products (Licensed Natural Health Product Database), NPN 02243768 · Canada · dated 2026-01-01 · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 5
  6. K-Citra 10 -- ARTG registrationTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia · Australia · dated 2023-02-28 · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 6
  7. Potassium Citrate 10 (Pharmacy Only) Tablets -- New Zealand Data SheetMedsafe (New Zealand regulator) · New Zealand · dated 2026-01-01 · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 7

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient potassium citrate names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • Urocit-K (potassium citrate extended-release; generic available) (1)FDA approved currently labeled · 5 mEq, 10 mEq, 15 mEq · Mission Pharmacal / generic manufacturers

United Kingdom

  • Potassium Citrate Mixture (2)MHRA licensed emc smpc confirmed · oral solution · Thornton & Ross Ltd

Canada

  • Urocit-K (4)Health Canada approved confirmed · 5 mEq, 10 mEq, 15 mEq · per Health Canada product monograph
  • K-Citra (5)Health Canada NHP licensed NPN 02243768 confirmed · 1080 mg (10 mEq) per tablet · per NPN licence

Australia

  • K-Citra 10 (6)TGA ARTG registered 2023-02-28 confirmed · 10 mEq · Lacuna Pharma Pty Ltd
  • Urocit-K (6)TGA ARTG registered 2000-07-21 confirmed · not specified in fetched source · Arrotex Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd

New Zealand

  • Potassium Citrate 10 (Pharmacy Only) (7)Medsafe approved confirmed · 10 mEq (1080 mg) · per Medsafe data sheet
View brands in additional countries.

European Union

Sibnayal (potassium citrate / potassium hydrogen carbonate) (3)