Though potassium bicarbonate supplements may produce side effects, they are usually rare. Most medical sites recommend you consult your doctor before starting potassium supplementation but doctors rarely understand or recommend that patients supplement with the basic minerals of life. Though sodium bicarbonate is found in every pharmacy, potassium bicarbonate is not.
Potassium can cause gastrointestinal irritation. For many people on diuretic therapy for hypertension, potassium deficiency can be avoided by increasing their consumption of potassium-containing foods, such as bananas, dates, prunes, and raisins. Some people think that potassium supplements are not needed if one eats a good diet but here we are talking about potassium bicarbonate as well as sodium bicarbonate and they are essential for everyone who demonstrates acid pH in their salvia.
Potassium supplements should not be given to patients receiving potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride, spironolactone, or triamterene.