Potassium hydroxide

Identification

Summary

Potassium hydroxide is a disinfectant used to clean hands, skin, and surfaces.

Generic Name

Potassium hydroxide

DrugBank Accession Number

DB11153

Background

Potassium hydroxide, also known as lye is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula KOH. Also commonly referred to as caustic potash, it is a potent base that is marketed in several forms including pellets, flakes, and powders. It is used in various chemical, industrial and manufacturing applications. Potassium hydroxide is also a precursor to other potassium compounds. Potassium hydroxide is used in food to adjust pH, as a stabilizer, and as a thickening agent.^6,10 This ingredient has been considered as generally safe as a direct human food ingredient by the FDA, based upon the observance of several good manufacturing practice conditions of use.⁴

In addition to the above uses, potassium hydroxide is also used in making soap, as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries and in electroplating, lithography, and paint and varnish removers. Liquid drain cleaners contain 25 to 36% of potassium hydroxide ⁶.

Medically, potassium hydroxide (KOH) is widely used in the wet mount preparation of various clinical specimens for microscopic visualization of fungi and fungal elements in skin, hair, nails, and even vaginal secretions ¹, ⁶.

Recently, it has been studied for efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of warts. It was determined that topical KOH solution was found to be a safe and effective treatment of plane warts ².

Type

Small Molecule

Groups

Approved

Structure

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MOLSDFPDBSMILESInChI

Similar Structures

Structure for Potassium hydroxide (DB11153)

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Weight

Average: 56.1056
Monoisotopic: 55.966446515

Chemical Formula

HKO

Synonyms

• Ätzkali
• hydroxyde de potassium
• Kaliumhydroxid
• potash lye
• potasio hidróxido
• potasse caustique
• Potassium hydroxide

External IDs

• E-525
• INS NO.525
• INS-525

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Pharmacology

Indication

Medically, the microscopic examination of potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparations is utilized in the diagnosis of fungal hyphae or trichomonads ⁹.

Samples from hair, skin, or nail tissue are obtained by scraping with a scalpel, cotton-tipped applicator and are inoculated directly onto the KOH solution ⁹.

In addition to the above, potassium hydroxide is used as a softener for nail grooves ⁸.

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Associated Conditions

Indication Type	Indication	Combined Product Details	Approval Level	Age Group	Patient Characteristics	Dose Form
Treatment of	Low potassium		••••••••••••			•••••••••

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Associated Therapies

• Skin disinfection

Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings

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Pharmacodynamics

The corrosiveness of potassium hydroxide renders it a very useful agent in the decomposition/removal soft tissue and hair removal. It is incorporated into some nail products, shaving creams, and soaps ¹³.

Mechanism of action

The exact mechanism of action of KOH is not known but the speculated one is that topical application of KOH digests keratin, and induces inflammation ⁷.

The mechanism of skin injury by alkali substances such as potassium hydroxide is by the saponification of fat, causing fatty tissue to lose its function with increased damage due to a heat reaction. Extraction of water from cells occurs due to the hygroscopic (absorbent) nature of alkali. Dissolution of proteins also occurs, allowing for deeper penetration of OH- ions and resulting in various chemical reactions ¹⁴.

The alkali penetrates the skin quickly, saponifies plasma membranes, denatures collagen proteins, and leads to vascular thromboses in the conjunctiva and other parts of the eye. The resulting corneal burns include scarring and opacification of the cornea with resulting in vision loss, corneal neovascularization, ulcer formation, and perforation. Other consequences of untreated or very severe alkali burns include epithelial erosions, secondary glaucoma, and causes the destruction of conjunctival mucus cells, causing dry eyes, trichiasis (misdirected eyelash hairs), and other ocular conditions ¹⁴.

In the gastrointestinal tract, after oral ingestion, burns may result. The mechanism of injury is liquefactive necrosis. The thrombosis of gastrointestinal blood vessels also contributes to tissue damage. When the alkali enters the stomach, gastric acid may neutralize the strong base, which can limit the extent of the injury. Perforation of the stomach can sometimes occur with peritonitis and caustic injury to the surrounding organs including the colon, pancreas, liver, and spleen ¹⁴.

Absorption

KOH in aqueous solutions completely dissociates into K+ and OH- ions. Because of the neutralization of OH- by gastric HCl and the rapid blood pH regulation action (buffer capacity of extracellular body fluids, respiratory and renal compensation mechanisms), an alkalosis due to the OH- ions after KOH oral dosage in non-irritating conditions is thus prevented ³.

The uptake of potassium, in potassium hydroxide form, is much less than the oral uptake with therapeutic doses of KCl for treating potassium deficiency, of up to 10 g/day. Furthermore, the oral uptake of potassium from food/natural sources or from food additives is likely to be also much higher ³.

Volume of distribution

Not Available

Protein binding

Not Available

Metabolism

KOH in aqueous solution is entirely dissociated into K+ and OH- ions. Due to the neutralization of OH- by gastric HCl and the quick and efficient blood pH regulation mechanisms (buffer capacity of extra cellular body fluids, respiratory and renal compensation mechanisms), an alkalosis due to the OH- ions after KOH oral dosage in non-irritating conditions is prevented ¹⁴.

Route of elimination

Not Available

Half-life

Not Available

Clearance

Not Available

Adverse Effects

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Toxicity

No studies are currently identified regarding the reproduction/developmental toxicity of potassium hydroxide ¹⁴.

The Ld50 of potassium hydroxide in rats ranges from 0.273 - 1.230 g KOH/kg body weight/day ³.

Adverse effects include vomiting, diarrhea, skin blistering, gastrointestinal disturbance, and burns ⁵.

Strong alkaline chemicals such as potassium hydroxide destroy soft tissues may cause a deep, penetrating type of burn. Caustics are usually hydroxides of light metals. Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are the most broadly used caustic agents in the industry ¹¹.

Potassium Hydroxide can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure may cause bronchitis to develop with coughing, phlegm, and/or shortness of breath ⁹.

Pathways

Not Available

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Interactions

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This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.

• Approved
• Vet approved
• Nutraceutical
• Illicit
• Withdrawn
• Investigational
• Experimental
• All Drugs

Drug	Interaction
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Acebutolol	Potassium hydroxide may increase the hyperkalemic activities of Acebutolol.
Aceclofenac	Potassium hydroxide may increase the hyperkalemic activities of Aceclofenac.
Acemetacin	Potassium hydroxide may increase the hyperkalemic activities of Acemetacin.
Acetylsalicylic acid	Potassium hydroxide may increase the hyperkalemic activities of Acetylsalicylic acid.
Alclofenac	Potassium hydroxide may increase the hyperkalemic activities of Alclofenac.

Food Interactions

No interactions found.

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Active Moieties

Name	Kind	UNII	CAS	InChI Key
Potassium cation	ionic	295O53K152	24203-36-9	NPYPAHLBTDXSSS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Hydroxide ion	ionic	9159UV381P	14280-30-9	XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-M

Brand Name Prescription Products

Name	Dosage	Strength	Route	Labeller	Marketing Start	Marketing End	Region	Image
Potassium Hydroxide	Liquid	.05 g/1g	Topical	Gordon Laboratories	2010-07-16	Not applicable

Over the Counter Products

Name	Dosage	Strength	Route	Labeller	Marketing Start	Marketing End	Region	Image
MIRACLE WATER 3 in 1	Spray	0.3 mg/1mL	Topical	ORIGIN G&B CO.,LTD	2020-07-16	Not applicable
OHTrust Nano Ion Water	Liquid	0.2 g/100mL	Topical	Nanoplus Limited (Cayman) Taiwan Branch	2020-05-20	Not applicable
OHTrust Nano Ion Water	Liquid	0.2 g/100mL	Topical	Kunshan Nano Environmental Protection Technology CO. LTD.	2020-05-21	2020-06-03
OHTrust Nano Ion Water	Liquid	0.2 g/100mL	Topical	Nanoplus Limited (Cayman) Taiwan Branch	2020-05-15	2020-05-20
OHTrust Nano Ion Water	Liquid	0.2 g/100mL	Topical	Nanoplus Limited (Cayman) Taiwan Branch	2020-05-21	Not applicable

Mixture Products

Name	Ingredients	Dosage	Route	Labeller	Marketing Start	Marketing End	Region	Image
AMINOMIX	Potassium hydroxide (1.981 g/100ml) + Acetic acid (4.5 g/1000ml) + Alanine (7 g/1000ml) + Arginine (6 g/1000ml) + Calcium chloride dihydrate (0.294 g/100ml) + Dextrose, unspecified form (200 g/100ml) + Glycine (5.5 g/1000ml) + Histidine (1.5 g/1000ml) + Hydrochloric acid (1.47 ml) + Isoleucine (2.5 g/1000ml) + Leucine (3.7 g/1000ml) + Lysine (3.3 g/1000ml) + Magnesium chloride hexahydrate (0.61 g/100ml) + Methionine (2.15 g/1000ml) + Phenylalanine (2.55 g/1000ml) + Potassium cation (30 mmol/l) + Proline (5.6 g/1000ml) + Serine (3.25 g/1000ml) + Sodium cation (50 mmol/l) + Sodium chloride (1.169 g/100ml) + Sodium glycerophosphate hydrate (4.59 g/1000ml) + Taurine (0.5 g/1000ml) + Threonine (2.2 g/1000ml) + Tryptophan (1 g/1000ml) + Tyrosine (0.2 g/1000ml) + Valine (3.1 g/1000ml) + Zinc chloride (0.00545 g/100ml)	Injection, solution	Intravenous	Fresenius Kabi Italia S.R.L.	2014-07-08	Not applicable
AMINOMIX	Potassium hydroxide (1.981 g/100ml) + Acetic acid (4.5 g/1000ml) + Alanine (7 g/1000ml) + Arginine (6 g/1000ml) + Calcium chloride dihydrate (0.294 g/100ml) + Dextrose, unspecified form (120 g/100ml) + Glycine (5.5 g/1000ml) + Histidine (1.5 g/1000ml) + Hydrochloric acid (1.47 ml) + Isoleucine (2.5 g/1000ml) + Leucine (3.7 g/1000ml) + Lysine (3.3 g/1000ml) + Magnesium chloride hexahydrate (0.61 g/100ml) + Methionine (2.15 g/1000ml) + Phenylalanine (2.55 g/1000ml) + Potassium cation (30 mmol/l) + Proline (5.6 g/1000ml) + Serine (3.25 g/1000ml) + Sodium cation (50 mmol/l) + Sodium chloride (1.169 g/100ml) + Sodium glycerophosphate hydrate (4.59 g/1000ml) + Taurine (0.5 g/1000ml) + Threonine (2.2 g/1000ml) + Tryptophan (1 g/1000ml) + Tyrosine (0.2 g/1000ml) + Valine (3.1 g/1000ml) + Zinc chloride (0.00545 g/100ml)	Injection, solution	Intravenous	Fresenius Kabi Italia S.R.L.	2014-07-08	Not applicable
AMINOMIX	Potassium hydroxide (1.981 g/100ml) + Acetic acid (4.5 g/1000ml) + Alanine (7 g/1000ml) + Arginine (6 g/1000ml) + Calcium chloride dihydrate (0.294 g/100ml) + Dextrose, unspecified form (120 g/100ml) + Glycine (5.5 g/1000ml) + Histidine (1.5 g/1000ml) + Hydrochloric acid (1.47 ml) + Isoleucine (2.5 g/1000ml) + Leucine (3.7 g/1000ml) + Lysine (3.3 g/1000ml) + Magnesium chloride hexahydrate (0.61 g/100ml) + Methionine (2.15 g/1000ml) + Phenylalanine (2.55 g/1000ml) + Potassium cation (30 mmol/l) + Proline (5.6 g/1000ml) + Serine (3.25 g/1000ml) + Sodium cation (50 mmol/l) + Sodium chloride (1.169 g/100ml) + Sodium glycerophosphate hydrate (4.59 g/1000ml) + Taurine (0.5 g/1000ml) + Threonine (2.2 g/1000ml) + Tryptophan (1 g/1000ml) + Tyrosine (0.2 g/1000ml) + Valine (3.1 g/1000ml) + Zinc chloride (0.00545 g/100ml)	Injection, solution	Intravenous	Fresenius Kabi Italia S.R.L.	2014-07-08	Not applicable
AMINOMIX	Potassium hydroxide (1.981 g/100ml) + Acetic acid (4.5 g/1000ml) + Alanine (7 g/1000ml) + Arginine (6 g/1000ml) + Calcium chloride dihydrate (0.294 g/100ml) + Dextrose, unspecified form (200 g/100ml) + Glycine (5.5 g/1000ml) + Histidine (1.5 g/1000ml) + Hydrochloric acid (1.47 ml) + Isoleucine (2.5 g/1000ml) + Leucine (3.7 g/1000ml) + Lysine (3.3 g/1000ml) + Magnesium chloride hexahydrate (0.61 g/100ml) + Methionine (2.15 g/1000ml) + Phenylalanine (2.55 g/1000ml) + Potassium cation (30 mmol/l) + Proline (5.6 g/1000ml) + Serine (3.25 g/1000ml) + Sodium cation (50 mmol/l) + Sodium chloride (1.169 g/100ml) + Sodium glycerophosphate hydrate (4.59 g/1000ml) + Taurine (0.5 g/1000ml) + Threonine (2.2 g/1000ml) + Tryptophan (1 g/1000ml) + Tyrosine (0.2 g/1000ml) + Valine (3.1 g/1000ml) + Zinc chloride (0.00545 g/100ml)	Injection, solution	Intravenous	Fresenius Kabi Italia S.R.L.	2014-07-08	Not applicable
AMINOMIX	Potassium hydroxide (1.981 g/100ml) + Acetic acid (4.5 g/1000ml) + Alanine (7 g/1000ml) + Arginine (6 g/1000ml) + Calcium chloride dihydrate (0.294 g/100ml) + Dextrose, unspecified form (120 g/100ml) + Glycine (5.5 g/1000ml) + Histidine (1.5 g/1000ml) + Hydrochloric acid (1.47 ml) + Isoleucine (2.5 g/1000ml) + Leucine (3.7 g/1000ml) + Lysine (3.3 g/1000ml) + Magnesium chloride hexahydrate (0.61 g/100ml) + Methionine (2.15 g/1000ml) + Phenylalanine (2.55 g/1000ml) + Potassium cation (30 mmol/l) + Proline (5.6 g/1000ml) + Serine (3.25 g/1000ml) + Sodium cation (50 mmol/l) + Sodium chloride (1.169 g/100ml) + Sodium glycerophosphate hydrate (4.59 g/1000ml) + Taurine (0.5 g/1000ml) + Threonine (2.2 g/1000ml) + Tryptophan (1 g/1000ml) + Tyrosine (0.2 g/1000ml) + Valine (3.1 g/1000ml) + Zinc chloride (0.00545 g/100ml)	Injection, solution	Intravenous	Fresenius Kabi Italia S.R.L.	2014-07-08	Not applicable

Unapproved/Other Products

Name	Ingredients	Dosage	Route	Labeller	Marketing Start	Marketing End	Region	Image
MIRACLE WATER 3 in 1	Potassium hydroxide (0.3 mg/1mL)	Spray	Topical	ORIGIN G&B CO.,LTD	2020-07-16	Not applicable
OHTrust Nano Ion Water	Potassium hydroxide (0.2 g/100mL)	Liquid	Topical	Nanoplus Limited (Cayman) Taiwan Branch	2020-05-15	2020-05-20
OHTrust Nano Ion Water	Potassium hydroxide (0.1 g/100mL) + Hydroxide ion (0.5 g/100mL)	Liquid	Topical	Kunshan Nano Environmental Protection Technology CO. LTD.	2020-09-03	Not applicable
OHTrust Nano Ion Water	Potassium hydroxide (0.2 g/100mL)	Liquid	Topical	Nanoplus Limited (Cayman) Taiwan Branch	2020-05-21	Not applicable
OHTrust Nano Ion Water	Potassium hydroxide (0.2 g/100mL)	Liquid	Topical	Nanoplus Limited (Cayman) Taiwan Branch	2016-09-26	Not applicable

Categories

Drug Categories

• Alkalies
• Anions
• Compounds used in a research, industrial, or household setting
• Electrolytes
• Indicators and Reagents
• Ions
• Laboratory Chemicals
• Potassium Salt

Chemical TaxonomyProvided by Classyfire

Description

This compound belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as alkali metal hydroxides. These are inorganic compounds in which the largest oxoanion is hydroxide, and in which the heaviest atom not in an oxoanion is an alkali metal.

Kingdom

Inorganic compounds

Super Class

Mixed metal/non-metal compounds

Class

Alkali metal oxoanionic compounds

Sub Class

Alkali metal hydroxides

Direct Parent

Alkali metal hydroxides

Alternative Parents

Inorganic salts / Inorganic oxides / Inorganic hydrides

Substituents

Alkali metal hydroxide / Inorganic hydride / Inorganic oxide / Inorganic salt

Molecular Framework

Not Available

External Descriptors

alkali metal hydroxide (CHEBI:32035)

Affected organisms

Not Available

Chemical Identifiers

UNII

WZH3C48M4T

CAS number

1310-58-3

InChI Key

KWYUFKZDYYNOTN-UHFFFAOYSA-M

InChI

InChI=1S/K.H2O/h;1H2/q+1;/p-1

IUPAC Name

potassium hydroxide

SMILES

[OH-].[K+]

References

General References

1. Parija SC, Shivaprakash MR: Evaluation of potassium hydroxide for wet mount preparation of stool for detection of intestinal parasites. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2001 Nov;41(3):127-30. [Article]
2. Evaluation of Topical Potassium Hydroxide Solution for Treatment of Plane Warts [Link]
3. Potassium Hydroxide [Link]
4. FDA document, potassium hydroxide [Link]
5. Potassium [Link]
6. NJ Gov Document, Potassium Hydroxide [Link]
7. Comparison of 5% potassium hydroxide with 10% potassium hydroxide solution in treatment of molluscum contagiosum: A comparative study [Link]
8. Potassium Hydroxide Liquid [Link]
9. Potassium hydroxide overview [Link]
10. Overview of KOH [Link]
11. NIH MeSH search, Potassium Hydroxide [Link]
12. ECHA information page, Potassium Hydroxide [Link]
13. Potassium Hydroxide- Continental Chemical [Link]
14. InCHEM, Potassium Hydroxide [Link]

External Links

KEGG Drug

D01168

KEGG Compound

C12568

PubChem Compound

14797

PubChem Substance

347827922

ChemSpider

14113

RxNav

34311

ChEBI

32035

ChEMBL

CHEMBL2103983

Wikipedia

Potassium_hydroxide

MSDS

Download (76.7 KB)

Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials Learn More" title="About Clinical Trials" id="clinical-trials-info" class="drug-info-popup" href="javascript:void(0);">

Phase	Status	Purpose	Conditions	Count
3	Not Yet Recruiting	Treatment	Plantar Warts	1
1	Completed	Treatment	Molluscum Contagiosum	2
1	Completed	Treatment	Plan Warts	1

Pharmacoeconomics

Manufacturers

Not Available

Packagers

Not Available

Dosage Forms

Form	Route	Strength
Injection	Intravenous
Spray	Topical	0.3 mg/1mL
Injection, solution	Intravenous
Solution	Parenteral
Injection, solution
Liquid	Topical	0.2 g/100mL
Liquid	Topical	.05 g/1g
Liquid	Topical
Solution	Intravenous

Prices

Not Available

Patents

Not Available

Properties

State

Solid

Experimental Properties

Property	Value	Source
melting point (°C)	405	MSDS
boiling point (°C)	1,320	MSDS
water solubility	Soluble	MSDS

Predicted Properties

Property	Value	Source
logP	0.2	Chemaxon
pKa (Strongest Acidic)	3.09	Chemaxon
Physiological Charge	1	Chemaxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count	0	Chemaxon
Hydrogen Donor Count	0	Chemaxon
Polar Surface Area	0 Å2	Chemaxon
Rotatable Bond Count	0	Chemaxon
Refractivity	0 m3·mol-1	Chemaxon
Polarizability	1.78 Å3	Chemaxon
Number of Rings	0	Chemaxon
Bioavailability	1	Chemaxon
Rule of Five	Yes	Chemaxon
Ghose Filter	No	Chemaxon
Veber's Rule	Yes	Chemaxon
MDDR-like Rule	No	Chemaxon

Predicted ADMET Features

Not Available

Spectra

Mass Spec (NIST)

Not Available

Spectra

Not Available

Chromatographic Properties

Collision Cross Sections (CCS)

Adduct	CCS Value (Å2)	Source type	Source
[M-H]-	108.41609	predicted	DeepCCS 1.0 (2019)
[M+H]+	110.1398	predicted	DeepCCS 1.0 (2019)
[M+Na]+	116.92734	predicted	DeepCCS 1.0 (2019)

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Drug created at December 03, 2015 16:51 / Updated at February 21, 2021 18:52