Absence of gastrointestinal bleeding with controlled‐release potassium chloride tablets

No evidence of intestinal bleeding after administration of a controlled‐release potaSSium chloride KCI tablet was adduced using 51Cr‐labeled red blood cells in 30 male volunteers. Controlled‐release KCI was compared with placebo (double‐blind) and aspirin (openlabel). Blood and stool samples were collected daily during control (7 days) and drug (14 days) periods. Fecal blood loss in the controlled‐release KCI and placebo groups averaged < 1.00 ml/day during control and treatment periods. Mean blood loss (2.11 ml/day) in the aspirin group was more than double the control period value. Blood loss differences between aspirin and controlled‐release KCI and between aspirin and placebo were Significant (p < 0.01), but no differences were demonstrated between controlled‐release KCI and placebo. Mild gastrOintestinal symptoms possibly related to medication were reported by 6 patients, with no notable differences between groups.