Can you die from potassium overdose?

Answer 1

Yes, you can die from a potassium overdose, but you can also die if you do not have enough potassium.

Overdose

Potassium overdose is called hyperkalemia. Symptoms are palpitations; stomach cramps; diarrhoea; muscle spasms; slow, weak pulse; irritability; anxiety; tiredness; heart failure.

Especially people with kidney disease need to be cautious about getting too much potassium.

Concentrated potassium chloride can short circuit muscles, including the heart. It is what Dr. Jack Kevorkian used to euthanize and it is also used in executions of criminals because it is effective and fast acting.

Underdose

Potassium underdose is called hypokalemia. Heart problems, fatigue, muscle weakness, heart failure, slow reflexes, dry skin, death.

How Much Do We Need?

It is possible that no official recommended daily allowance for Potassium has been set, but 2,000 to 3,000 mg a day is thought to be adequate. In 2004, the Institute of Medicine gave a specified RDA of 4,000 mg.

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