Drug Information for: Potassium Bromide Oral Solution
For Veterinary Use Only
Ingredients
Potassium Bromide solution contains potassium bromide powder, distilled water and
flavouring. Standard flavour is beef, but if your dog does not enjoy this taste we can
change it to another flavor such as chicken, salmon, or cheese.
Common Uses of this Medication
It is used in animals as an anticonvulsant for seizure control. It is considered to be a safe
and effective medication for dogs with epilepsy.
Usage Instructions
Potassium bromide is to be given as directed by your veterinarian. If refrigerated, the
solution is good for 30 days from the day it is made and must be shaken well before use.
If you miss a series of doses your dog will most likely be okay due to the long half-life of
the medication, but you may want to contact the veterinarian to advise him/her of the
missed doses and ask if an increase in the dose for a few days might be required.
Dosing
This medication has a 24 day half-life and it may take three to four months before seizure
control occurs. This lengthy time line can be decreased by the administration of a
loading dose. A loading dose is a high dose of medication given for a period of time in
order to achieve optimal levels of medication in the dog’s system. Dogs that receive a
loading dose are more likely to experience side effects, especially during those first five
days.
We dispense this liquid medication in various sizes of amber coloured bottles with either
an Adapta-cap or a ‘Stay-Safe’ closure along with an oral syringe for easy and accurate
dosing. The Adapta-cap screws onto the medication container and allows the dose to be
accurately drawn up into the syringe without the risk of spilling. The Adapta-cap
remains on the bottle but can be transferred to any new medication bottles once the
prescription is refilled.
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Phone: (403) 320-6500
www.staffordpharmacy.com
Monitoring Levels
In order for Potassium Bromide to be effective a certain level of medication in the blood
stream must be obtained. Blood testing, which may be done by the veterinarian, helps to
monitor this level. This will help the veterinarian to adjust the dosage of Potassium
Bromide. Blood tests can also be used to monitor potassium levels. If your dog receives
a loading dose, the levels should be checked after one week and then again in one month.
If these two values are not similar, the veterinarian may change the maintenance dose. If
your dog does not receive a loading dose a blood test will be done after one month and
then approximately every six months.
Precautions
Give only as directed by your veterinarian. It is important to consult with your
veterinarian if your dog is experiencing any side effects before discontinuing the
medication. You should also discuss any changes to your dogs’ diet with the
veterinarian, as this may alter the effect of the potassium bromide.
Side Effects
Common side effects of potassium bromide include excessive hunger, thirst, urination,
tiredness and loss of coordination. Initial therapy may cause sedation and depression,
which usually stops with continued use. Potassium bromide may cause stomach upset,
nausea and vomiting. If your dog is experiencing this, you may try giving the solution
with food or in two doses.
More severe side effects of potassium bromide are pancreatitis and decreased kidney
function which can possibly be recognized by decreased frequency of urination but
normal intake of water. It is important to remember that these effects are much less
common.
Drug Interactions
As explained later, salt consumption causes a decreased level of potassium bromide and
may result in an increased number of seizures. Other drugs that decrease the effect of
potassium bromide are diuretics. Food preservatives such as Ethoxyquin, BHT, and
BHA can also result in seizures, as a result of interactions with Potassium Bromide.
Storage
Potassium bromide suspension must be stored in the refrigerator and expires after 30
days. After the expiry date, the Potassium Bromide degrades such that the product
becomes ineffective for seizure control.
Additional Information About Seizures and Potassium Bromide
What is a seizure?
A seizure is caused by a neurological dysfunction in the brain. The disorder can be
inherited or caused by other medical conditions such as low blood sugar, brain tumors,
low thyroid, and brain infections.
Copyright © 2009 Stafford Pharmacy & Home Healthcare
Phone: (403) 320-6500
www.staffordpharmacy.com
Nervousness, wandering, increased saliva, and whining may identify the start of a
seizure. Once the seizure begins, the dog may lose consciousness, begin drooling and
thrashing around, and lose control of bladder function. Sometimes the dog will show
mood or behavior changes during the days before a seizure occurs.
What should I do if my dog is having a seizure?
It is important to let the seizure take its course and move any objects out of the way that
may harm the dog. The dog will be disoriented after the seizure and require a great deal
of rest and may be very thirsty, thus food and water should be made available. This
disorientation can last from minutes to days.
What is Potassium bromide?
Potassium bromide is a combination of bromide salt and potassium salt. It has been used
since the late 1800’s as a sedative and anticonvulsant. In dogs, the half-life of potassium
bromide is 24 days. Thus, it takes about 3 – 4 months to determine if anticonvulsant
properties of the drug are being maintained.
What is the difference between potassium bromide and sodium bromide?
Potassium bromide and sodium bromide are equally effective in preventing seizures. The
potassium salt may be used if the dog is on a restricted sodium diet. The sodium salt is
used if the dog is on a restricted potassium diet.
Why must I notify the veterinarian prior to switching my dogs’ food?
Different brands of food contain varying amounts of salt. Salt will affect the levels of
bromide in the system. If salt intake is suddenly increased, the medication will be
eliminated faster, thus causing a decreased and less effective concentration of potassium
bromide in the dogs’ system. If it is necessary to switch foods, inform the veterinarian if
the chloride level has changed so that the dose can be adjusted if needed.
If potassium bromide does not work are there other medications that I can use?
A variety of other medications are used in the treatment of canine epilepsy. These
include Phenobarbital, Valium, Primadone, and potentially Gabapentin. Phenobarbital is
often the drug of choice for canine epilepsy, but if the dog continues to have seizures or
experiences side effects, potassium bromide may replace it or be used in combination.
Phenobarbital also has a long half-life, is relatively cheap, and has limited toxicity.
Although unlike potassium bromide it is able to cause liver toxicity. If Potassium
Bromide is added to Phenobarbital to increase the seizure threshold, the Phenobarbital
dose will be decreased by 30-50%.
If you have any concerns or additional questions about this product and its use, contact us
in person or call (403) 320-6500 and ask to speak to a pharmacist.
Copyright © 2009 Stafford Pharmacy & Home Healthcare
Phone: (403) 320-6500
www.staffordpharmacy.com