How do you make potassium tolerable?

It seems that lately our orders for potassium repleation have been more PO and less IV. Almost every patient that I have attempted to give PO potassium has either spit it back out on me or refused. K Dur is just too big, and K Elixir is just NASTY. Are there any tricks to making PO potassium tolerable?
I always break K-dur in half. I save it for last and offer applesauce if anyone has difficulty swallowing. Yes, it's a pain.

Quote from eyeballI always break K-dur in half. I save it for last and offer applesauce if anyone has difficulty swallowing. Yes, it's a pain.

You can cut it in half. You can also "melt" it down in pudding. I always break it in half too, usually by accident. That pill is soft.

I've had an MD order potassium replacement by inch of banana for a patient who refused the pills and liquid. Apparently there is 1meq of potassium per inch of banana.

My understanding is that you can dissolve it, not crush it. I sometimes melt it in a small amount of water and then mix in applesauce.

Awesome! I knew you all would have the answers!! Thanks a bunch!!MunoRN-- Interesting order! It reminds me of when I used to work in an ER where the doctor would order lemon wedges for patients with infected salivary glands. Dietary thought we were nuts! But it worked!

Ask for the wax matrix tablets. They are smaller and easier on the stomach. It is just a different version and there is not a big price difference.

I've had an MD order potassium replacement by inch of banana for a patient who refused the pills and liquid. Apparently there is 1meq of potassium per inch of banana. lemon wedges for patients with infected salivary glands. very interesting findings...

For liquid put it in a juice box.

Juice is the trick I usually use. I take 1/2 a cup of whatever juice they like and mix it with the K, then I have the other 1/2 and another juice cup to chase it down. I always tell them that it is nasty and just swig it down as quickly as possible.

Dissolve pill form in water or applesauce.

A manufacturer also makes a 10meq capsule that is easy to swallow and no bigger than most capsules. So a patient has to take 2 capsules to make 20meq but have no problem swallowing. Pharmacist can dispense without new order if your pharmacy has that dosing available. Can also suggest to patients being discharged on potassium which may make them more compliant with treatment.