Palatability comparison of oral potassium chloride solutions.

The palatability of various commercially available potassium chloride preparations was studies. Twenty potassium chloride samples were tested by 152 people from February 1975 to April 1975. Nine samples were placed into a "most preferred" group and divided into 36 possible pairs, each to be tested four times. Twenty-four volunteers tested six pairs of samples and chose the preferred sample in each pair. The three samples, which finished with the highest scores (K-Lyte/Cl Packets, Kato Powder Packets and Kaochlor 10%), although not significantly different from the rest of the subgroup of nine, were all highly flavored and among the most expensive. It is suggested that when selecting a potassium chloride preparation, cost, convenience, palatability, and most importantly, long-term compliance with the prescribed regimen, must be considered.