WHAT IS THE BETTER FORMULATION OF MICROENCAPSULATED POTASSIUM-CHLORIDE

A single blind cross-over study was performed comparing a new microenc apsulated potassium chloride tablet (MET) with two reference formulati ons of oral potassium, namely potassium chloride solution (PS), and mi croencapsulated potassium chloride capsules (MEC), in 18 normal health y volunteers. The potassium chloride induced change in gastric potenti al difference (PD) of the mucosa was the main criterion of comparison and was assessed by the area above curve (AAC), the total duration of the effect (TDE), the maximal variation of PD (Delta MAX), and the agg ression index (AI). The results showed that all three formulations ind uced a fall in PD; the Delta MAX and AAC were significantly greater fo r PS indicating a higher aggressive effect of the solution; MET had si gnificantly less aggressive effect than MEC when assessed by all param eters.