Category: Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Keywords: Insulin, Hyperkalemia, Dextrose (PubMed Search)
Posted: 11/6/2017 by Wesley Oliver
(Updated: 12/26/2024)
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| Strategies for Hyperkalemia Management | |
| Stabilize cardiac membrane | Calcium gluconate |
| Intracellular movement in skeletal muscles | Albuterol Sodium Bicarbonate Insulin |
| Potassium excretion | Loop Diuretics Kayexalate Patiromer (chronic use only) |
| Potassium removal | Dialysis |
Insulin mechanism of action for hyperkalemia:
· Binds to skeletal muscle receptors
· Increased activity of the sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase and glucose transporter GLUT4
· Glycemic response occurs at lower levels of insulin
· Potassium transport activity increases as insulin levels increase
Patients with insulin resistance due to type-2 diabetes do not become resistant to the kalemic effects of insulin.
Hypoglycemia following insulin administration for hyperkalemia:
· Occurs 1-3 hours post dose, even with initial bolus of dextrose
· The amount of glucose is insufficient to replace the glucose utilized in response to the administered dose of insulin
· Insulin’s half-life is increased in ESRD leading to longer duration of action
A systematic review of 11 studies regarding insulin dosing for hyperkalemia:
· 22 patients (18%) experienced hypoglycemia
· Studies that only gave 25 grams (1 amp) of dextrose had the highest incidence of hypoglycemia (30%)
Tips:
· Consider insulin dose reduction in patients with renal failure
· Use an order set to ensure patients receive appropriate POC glucose monitoring to detect delayed onset of hypoglycemia
· Dextrose 50% (25 grams) should be given to all patients with pre-insulin BG <350 mg/dL
Subsequent PRN dextrose 50% (25 grams) should be used to maintain BG >100 mg/dL after insulin administration
References:
1. Sterns RH, Grieff M, Bernstein PL. Treatment of hyperkalemia: something old, something new. Kidney International 2016;89(3):5460554.
2. Harel Z, Kamel KS (2016) Optimal Dose and Method of Administration of Intravenous Insulin in the Management of Emergency Hyperkalemia: A Systematic Review. PLoS ONE 11(5): e0154963. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0154963
