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June 18, 2013
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Hyperkalemia (cont.)

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Medical Treatment

Treatment measures can include discontinuing or switching medications if these are responsible for the hyperkalemia. In an urgent situation, intravenous injections of glucose and insulin can help drive potassium back into body cells, and injections of sodium bicarbonate may also be used to promote movement of potassium into cells, reducing its concentration in the bloodstream. Dialysis may be used to remove potassium from the body in severe cases.

Medications may be used to help lower the potassium level and to protect the body from the effects of hyperkalemia, such as heart rhythm disturbances.

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