What does Effer-K cost?

This is a question we get frequently.... what does Effer-K (potassium citrate) cost? Most people assume that since Effer-K 10 and 20 mEq are new drugs the cost will be quite high. But that is simply not true. Effer-K is pretty inexpensive. Patients pay about $15 for a one month supply.

Another question we frequently get asked is if Effer-K is covered by insurance plans. It is covered by many insurance plans. However - sometimes the cost of Effer-K is less than a patient's copay - so it is cheaper to just pay for it outright.

Effer-K is stocked by all the major pharmacy wholesalers - so any pharmacist should be able to easily order it.

Can't get them to taste Effer-K

We have introduced Effer-K at several pharmacist, nurse and physician conferences. We always like to offer samples of Effer-K. The funny thing is - it's hard to get people to try it. Many pharmacists, physicians and nurses have tried or have seen patients try potassium chloride... which tastes very salty. So - they assume - since Effer-K is also a form of potassium repletion - it too will taste unpalatable.

What many don't immediately understand is that Effer-K is potassium citrate - the potassium found naturally in fruits. Potassium chloride is KCl. KCl is similar in structure to NaCl, sodium chloride (salt). The Cl is what contributes to the unpalatable taste. Because Effer-K does not contain Chloride - it tastes nothing like potassium chloride.

So - the lesson is - don't be afraid to try Effer-K! You might actually like it. Oh - and Effer-K is available in unflavored as well - so you can dissolve you Effer-K tablet in your beverage of choice.

Potassium chloride tablets and capsules warning labels.

It is common knowledge that potassium chloride tablets and capsules can irritate the esophagus and cause stomach ulcers. Potassium chloride tablets and capsules are also quite large and for some patients - impossible to swallow.

For those patients that are able to handle the potassium chloride there is now another unfortunate downside: patients are instructed that they must not lie down for 30 minutes after taking the potassium chloride. In fact, it is now required that pharmacists must label potassium chloride tablets and capsules with this warning.

For the elderly and infirm, "not lying down" can be an impossible guideline to follow. Fortunately, potassium citrate (Effer-K), does not have this restriction and might be a good alternative for this population.

Free 1 month trial of Effer-K

Just wanted to let everyone know... we implemented a form on our home page to allow patients to request a free one-month trial of Effer-K. www.efferk.com

Effervescent potassium citrate as an alternative to potassium chloride

Hi everyone -

This blog is dedicated to people currently taking potassium chloride (KCl) in liquid or solid forms who and are having a difficult time taking it. There are over 10 million Americans on KCl - most to counteract the effects of potassium wasting diuretics. Tablets and capsules are very large and quite hard to swallow. They have also been known to irritate the GI tract. Liquid forms of KCl are extremely salty and unpalatable.

I work for a company called Nomax, Inc. We are a pharmaceutical manufacturer and we recently launched a new product called Effer-K. It is an effervescent potassium citrate that can be taken instead of KCl. It's available in 10 and 20 mEq doses - so patients on 10 and 20 mEq KCl can easily switch. It's very inexpensive and available in any pharmacy (although some may have to order it in from the wholesaler and get it the next day).

I will be adding more information about Effer-K, potassium citrate vs. potassium chloride, as time goes on.

I'd love to hear from patients or caregivers who are having trouble with their potassium chloride. Please let me know about your experiences with potassium chloride. I would love to hear your stories.

We are currenlty giving samples to physicians who prescribe potassium - and we will soon be offering vouchers to patients to try a box of our product for free. More information is here: www.efferk.com

Thanks -
Julie