What is Potassium Citrate Used for in Pharma? Benefits, Applications & Grades Explained

Kapil Radadiya
Written by Kapil Radadiya
What is Potassium Citrate Used for in Pharma? Benefits, Applications & Grades Explained

Pharmaceutical manufacturers widely use Potassium Citrate for its alkalinizing effect, ability to balance electrolytes, and effectiveness in preventing kidney stones. As global healthcare demands evolve, this compound plays a vital role in many medical treatments and formulation processes

In this article, we explore in detail:

  • What is potassium citrate used for in pharma?
  • How does it benefit patients?
  • Which grades (IP/BP/USP) are typically required?

Explore a leading manufacturer of APIs.

With over 10 years of expertise, we ensure GMP compliance and provide reliable, high-quality solutions.

What is Potassium Citrate?

Potassium Citrate (K₃C₆H₅O₇) is a potassium salt of citric acid. It’s a white crystalline powder that is odorless, soluble in water, and slightly alkaline in nature.

Global pharmacopeias approve potassium citrate for use in:

  • Kidney stone prevention
  • Urinary alkalinization
  • Acidosis management
  • Electrolyte replenishment

These attributes make it a critical component in pharma-grade oral and IV formulations.

What is Potassium Citrate Used for in Pharma?

1. Treatment of Kidney Stones

One of the most well-known medical uses of potassium citrate is to prevent and manage kidney stones. It reduces calcium stone formation by increasing urinary citrate and pH.

Common formulations:

  • Potassium citrate tablets (10 mEq, 15 mEq)
  • Oral solutions for renal therapy

2. Alkalinizing Agent in Acidosis

Potassium citrate is used to treat metabolic acidosis (especially in patients with renal tubular acidosis). It neutralizes excess acid in the blood and urine, promoting pH balance.

Target conditions:

  • Renal tubular acidosis
  • Chronic kidney disease

3. Electrolyte Replacement Therapy

It is also used to restore potassium levels in patients with hypokalemia (low potassium) while simultaneously correcting mild acidosis.

Formulation types:

  • IV solutions
  • Oral potassium citrate + bicarbonate tablets

4. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Management

Because of its urinary alkalinizing effect, potassium citrate is also prescribed during UTIs to reduce irritation and enhance antibiotic effectiveness.

Usage format:

  • Syrups
  • Effervescent granules

Pharmaceutical Grades: IP, BP, USP

Depending on the formulation and market, potassium citrate is supplied in:

GradeUseCompliance
IPIndian marketIndian Pharmacopoeia
BPUK, EUBritish Pharmacopoeia
USPUS, GlobalUnited States Pharmacopeia

At Chemignition Laboratory, we manufacture all three grades with batch-level COAs and complete documentation.

Common Potassium Citrate Applications in Pharma

ApplicationUse Case
Kidney supportUric acid & calcium stone prevention
Electrolyte drinksOral rehydration therapy
Injectable solutionsPotassium correction
Pediatric tonicsUTI & renal care in children
Geriatric careChronic acidosis treatment

Why Chemignition for Pharma-Grade Potassium Citrate?

GMP & ISO 9001:2015 Certified Manufacturing

Ensuring the highest safety, purity, and regulatory compliance.

Consistent Batch Purity

Our material meets 99%+ assay and is non-toxic, allergen-free, and heavy metal safe.

Export-Ready Documentation

  • COA
  • MSDS
  • Stability Data
  • Allergen/Non-GMO Declarations

Bulk & Private Label Support

We provide bulk supply, OEM packaging, and custom labeling for pharma partners globally.

Global Export & Logistics Support

We serve customers across:

  • North America (USA, Canada)
  • Europe (Germany, UK)
  • Middle East & Asia (UAE, Bangladesh)
  • Africa (Nigeria, Kenya)

Chemignition ensures:

  • Air & sea freight shipping
  • Customs-ready packaging
  • Tamper-proof labeling
  • Real-time order tracking

Ready to Source Potassium Citrate?

If you’re a formulator, distributor, or pharmaceutical buyer looking to source potassium citrate that meets regulatory standards, Chemignition Laboratory is your reliable partner.

📦 MOQ: 100 kg to 10+ MT

🌐 Website: www.chemignition.com

FAQs

What are the primary pharmaceutical uses of potassium citrate?

Potassium citrate is used to prevent kidney stones, manage acidosis, and restore electrolyte balance.

Which grade should I use for oral pharma products?

We recommend USP or BP grade for most oral pharma formulations. For Indian use, IP grade is suitable.

Do you provide documentation like COA?

Yes, every batch includes COA, MSDS, and regulatory declarations.

Can you supply potassium citrate in bulk?

Absolutely. We support bulk supply, OEM branding, and custom packaging for B2B buyers.

Do you export to my country?

We export to over 40+ countries. Drop us a message and we’ll confirm shipping and documentation options.