| potassium cyanide | <chemical> Potassium cyanide (k(cn)). A highly poisonous compound that is an inhibitor of many metabolic processes, but has been shown to be an especially potent inhibitor of haem enzymes and haemproteins. It is used in many industrial processes. Pharmacological action: enzyme inhibitors, poisons. Chemical name: Potassium cyanide (K(CN)) (12 Dec 1998) |
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| potassium deficiency | A condition due to decreased dietary intake of potassium, as in starvation or failure to administer in intravenous solutions, or to gastrointestinal loss in diarrhoea, chronic laxative abuse, vomiting, gastric suction, or bowel diversion. Severe potassium deficiency may produce muscular weakness and lead to paralysis and respiratory failure. Muscular malfunction may result in hypoventilation, paralytic ileus, hypotension, muscle twitches, tetany, and rhabomyolysis. Nephropathy from potassium deficit impairs the concentrating mechanism, producing polyuria and decreased maximal urinary concentrating ability with secondary polydipsia. (merck manual, 16th ed) (12 Dec 1998) |
| potassium dichromate | <chemical> Chromic acid (h2cr2o7), dipotassium salt. A compound having bright orange-red crystals and used in dyeing, staining, tanning leather, as bleach, oxidiser, depolariser for dry cells, etc. Medically it has been used externally as an astringent, antiseptic, and caustic. When taken internally, it is a corrosive poison. Pharmacological action: anti-infective agents, local, astringents, caustics, dyes. Chemical name: Chromic acid (H2Cr2O7), dipotassium salt (12 Dec 1998) |
| potassium, dietary | Potassium or potassium compounds used in foods or as foods. (12 Dec 1998) |
| potassium ferrocyanide | K4Fe(CN)63H2O;yellow prussiate of potash, used in the preparation of various cyanides and in medicine as an antidote to copper sulfate. (05 Mar 2000) |
| potassium guaiacolsulfonate | C6H3OHOCH3SO3K;used as an expectorant. (05 Mar 2000) |
| potassium hydroxide | KOH;a strong, penetrating caustic. Synonym: caustic potash. (05 Mar 2000) |
| potassium hypophosphite | KH2PO2;formerly believed to have a tonic effect upon the nervous system; may be explosive if triturated or heated with oxidizing agents. (05 Mar 2000) |
| potassium inhibition | Arrest of the heart in the fully relaxed state as a result of potassium intoxication. (05 Mar 2000) |
| potassium iodate | KIO3;an oxidizing agent and disinfectant. (05 Mar 2000) |
| potassium iodide | <chemical> An inorganic compound that is used as a source of iodine in thyrotoxic crisis and in the preparation of thyrotoxic patients for thyroidectomy. Chemical name: Potassium iodide (KI) (12 Dec 1998) |
| potassium isotopes | Stable potassium atoms that have the same atomic number as the element potassium, but differ in atomic weight. K-41 is a stable potassium isotope. (12 Dec 1998) |
| potassium magnesium aspartate | <chemical> An intra-extracellular electrolyte exchange agent with a variety of effects. Beneficial in cardiac insufficiency, potentiates the effect of cardiac glycosides by reducing their toxicity, has hypocholesteraemic effects and potentiates the effects of calcium in disturbed calcium metabolism. Synonym: panangin; tromcardin. Chemical name: DL-Aspartic acid, monopotassium salt, mixt. With potassium hydrogen (T-4)-bis(DL-aspartato(2-)-N,O1)magnesate(2-) (12 Dec 1998) |
| potassium metaphosphate | (KPO3)n;a pharmaceutical aid (buffer). (05 Mar 2000) |
| potassium nitrate | KNO3;sometimes used as a diuretic and diaphoretic; formerly it was included in asthmatic powders containing stramonium leaves. Synonym: niter, saltpeter. (05 Mar 2000) |