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An alkaline metallic element, atomic no. 19, atomic wt. 39.0983, occurring abundantly in nature but always in combination; its salts are used medicinally. For organic p. salts not listed below, see the name of the anion. SYN: kalium. [Mod. L., fr. Eng. potash (fr. pot + ashes) + -ium]

- p. acetate a diuretic, diaphoretic, and systemic and urinary alkalizer. SYN: sal diureticum.

- p. acid tartrate SYN: p. bitartrate.

- p. alum SYN: aluminum p. sulfate.

- p. aminosalicylate p-aminosalicylic acid.

- p. antimonyltartrate SYN: antimony p. tartrate.

- p. atractylate the p. salt of atractylic acid, the natural source of the latter.

- p. bicarbonate used as a diuretic to decrease the acidity of the urine and as an electrolyte replenisher.

- p. bitartrate a diuretic and laxative. SYN: cream of tartar, p. acid tartrate.

- p. bromide KBr; an obsolescent sedative and hypnotic (sodium bromide is usually preferred).

- p. chlorate chlorate of potash, KClO₃, used as a mouthwash and gargle in stomatitis and follicular pharyngitis; it is incompatible in the dry state with all easily oxidizable substances.

- p. chloride used to correct p. deficiency.

- p. citrate a deliquescent powder, soluble in water; used as a diuretic, diaphoretic, expectorant, and systemic and urinary alkalizer. SYN: Rivière salt.

- p. cyanide a commercial fumigant.

- dibasic p. phosphate SYN: p. phosphate.

- p. dichromate, p. bichromate used externally as an astringent, antiseptic, and caustic; a strong oxidizing agent to be handled with care.

- effervescent p. citrate a mixture of p. citrate, citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, and tartaric acid; used as a gastric antacid and urinary alkalizer.

- p. ferrocyanide yellow prussiate of potash, used in the preparation of various cyanides and in medicine as an antidote to copper sulfate.

- p. gluconate gluconic acid p. salt, used in hypokalemia as a replenisher.

- p. guaiacolsulfonate used as an expectorant.

- p. hydroxide KOH; a strong, penetrating caustic. SYN: caustic potash.

- p. hypophosphite formerly believed to have a tonic effect upon the nervous system; may be explosive if triturated or heated with oxidizing agents.

- p. iodate an oxidizing agent and disinfectant.

- p. iodide KI; used as an alterative and expectorant, and in certain mycoses.

- p. metaphosphate a pharmaceutic aid (buffer).

- monobasic p. phosphate used as a urinary acidifier and buffer.

- p. nitrate sometimes used as a diuretic and diaphoretic; formerly it was included in asthmatic powders containing stramonium leaves. SYN: niter, saltpeter.

- penicillin G p. penicillin G p..

- p. perchlorate occasionally used, as an alternative to a thiouracil derivative, in the control of hyperthyroidism.

- p. permanganate a strong oxidizing agent, used in solution as an antiseptic and deodorizing application for foul lesions, and formerly as a gastric lavage in poisoning from morphine, strychnine, aconite, and picrotoxin; in electron microscopy, it stains cytomembranes well and gives results similar to lead hydroxide staining; also used as a fixative (Luft).

- p. phosphate a mild saline cathartic and diuretic. SYN: dibasic p. phosphate, dipotassium phosphate.

- p. rhodanate SYN: p. thiocyanate.

- p. sodium tartrate a mild saline cathartic, used as an ingredient in compound effervescent powders. SYN: Rochelle salt, Seignette salt, sodium p. tartrate.

- p. sorbate 2,4-hexadienoic acid p. salt; a mold and yeast inhibitor, used as a preservative.

- p. succinate a deliquescent powder used as a hemostatic.

- p. sulfate an obsolete laxative.

- p. sulfocyanate SYN: p. thiocyanate.

- p. tartrate a mild purgative and diuretic. SYN: soluble tartar.

- p. thiocyanate formerly used in the treatment of essential hypertension and as a reagent in the detection of copper, iron, and silver. SYN: p. rhodanate, p. sulfocyanate.

po·tas·si·um pə-'tas-ē-əm n a silver-white soft light low-melting monovalent metallic element of the alkali metal group that occurs abundantly in nature esp. combined in minerals symbol K see ELEMENT (table)

a mineral element and an important constituent of the human body. It is the main base ion of intracellular fluid. Together with sodium, it helps to maintain the electrical potential of the nervous system and is thus essential for the functioning of nerve and muscle. Normal blood levels are between 3.5 and 5 mmols/litre. High concentrations occur particularly in kidney failure and may lead to arrhythmia and finally to cardiac arrest. Low values result from fluid loss, e.g. due to vomiting or diarrhoea, and this may lead to general muscle paralysis. Symbol: K.