Potassium hydroxide

US Approved OTC

First marketed in 1921

Details

Stereochemistry	ACHIRAL
Molecular Formula	K.HO
Molecular Weight	56.1056
Optical Activity	NONE
Defined Stereocenters	0 / 0
E/Z Centers	0
Charge	0

SHOW SMILES / InChI

Structure Search

SMILES

[OH-].[K+]

InChI

InChIKey=KWYUFKZDYYNOTN-UHFFFAOYSA-M

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

HIDE SMILES / InChI

Molecular Formula	HO
Molecular Weight	17.0073
Charge	-1
Count

Stereochemistry	ACHIRAL
Additional Stereochemistry	No
Defined Stereocenters	0 / 0
E/Z Centers	0
Optical Activity	NONE

Molecular Formula	K
Molecular Weight	39.0983
Charge	1
Count

Stereochemistry	ACHIRAL
Additional Stereochemistry	No
Defined Stereocenters	0 / 0
E/Z Centers	0
Optical Activity	NONE

Description
Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27904181 | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27382594http://www.hmdb.ca/metabolites/HMDB00588
Curator's Comment: description was created based on several sources, including https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/sodium_ion | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5107832 | https://www.drugs.com/pro/kayexalate.html | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2907018

Sodium is the primary cation (positive ion) in extracellular fluids in animals and humans. Sodium ions are necessary for regulation of blood and body fluids, transmission of nerve impulses, heart activity, and certain metabolic functions. Physiologically, it exists as an ion in the body. Sodium is needed by animals, which maintain high concentrations in their blood and extracellular fluids, but the ion is not needed by plants. The human requirement for sodium in the diet is less than 500 mg per day, which is typically less than a tenth as much as many diets "seasoned to taste. " Most people consume far more sodium than is physiologically needed. For certain people with salt-sensitive blood pressure, this extra intake may cause a negative effect on health.

CNS Activity

Originator

Approval Year

Targets

Primary Target	Pharmacology	Condition	Potency
Sodium channel alpha subunit 72 Target ID: CHEMBL2331043 Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28416444	Substrate 661
Sodium/potassium-transporting ATPase 34 Target ID: CHEMBL2095186 Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23284664	Substrate 661

Conditions

Condition	Modality	Highest Phase	Product
Nail grooves 5 Sources: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6eeb7bf1-cfd6-4574-94bb-ff69ec91359f	Primary	Approved 8583	POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE Approved Use Used as a softener for nail grooves. Also used as a slide medium in Potassium Hydroxide preparations. Apply to nail in office. Launch Date 2010
Plane warts 5 Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27904181	Primary	Phase II 1147	Unknown Approved Use Unknown
Molluscum contagiosum 5 Sources: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01348386	Primary	Phase III 665	Unknown Approved Use Unknown
Genital warts 9 Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27382594	Primary	Phase II 1147	Unknown Approved Use Unknown
Hyperkalemia 6 Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/011287s023lbl.pdf	Primary	Approved 8583	Kayexalate Approved Use INDICATION AND USAGE Kayexalate is indicated for the treatment of hyperkalemia. Launch Date 1958

PubMed

Title	Date	PubMed

Hemolysis in dialyzed patients: tap water-induced red blood cell metabolic deficiency.	1972	4679882
Delayed cystitis due to cyclophosphamide.	1979 Jan 4	758164
A point mutation at cysteine 189 blocks the water permeability of rat kidney water channel CHIP28k.	1993 Mar 30	8457558
Molecular characterization of an aquaporin cDNA from brain: candidate osmoreceptor and regulator of water balance.	1994 Dec 20	7528931
Cholangiocytes express the aquaporin CHIP and transport water via a channel-mediated mechanism.	1994 Dec 20	7528928
Determination of the mechanism of free radical generation in human aortic endothelial cells exposed to anoxia and reoxygenation.	1994 Sep 30	7929072
Cloning and functional expression of a new water channel abundantly expressed in the testis permeable to water, glycerol, and urea.	1997 Aug 15	9252401
Immunolocalization and effect of dehydration on AQP3, a basolateral water channel of kidney collecting ducts.	1997 Feb	9124401
One-electron reduction of chromium(VI) by alpha-lipoic acid and related hydroxyl radical generation, dG hydroxylation and nuclear transcription factor-kappaB activation.	1997 Feb 15	9028868
Induction of aquaporin 3 by corticosteroid in a human airway epithelial cell line.	1997 Nov	9374739
Reactive oxygen species regulate macrophage scavenger receptor type I, but not type II, in the human monocytic cell line THP-1.	1998 Jun	9614211
Cloning and functional expression of a new aquaporin (AQP9) abundantly expressed in the peripheral leukocytes permeable to water and urea, but not to glycerol.	1998 Mar 6	9514918
Molecular characterization of a broad selectivity neutral solute channel.	1998 Sep 18	9733774
Cloning and functional expression of rAOP9L a new member of aquaporin family from rat liver.	1999 Feb	10205677
Effect of beta-blockers on free radical-induced cardiac contractile dysfunction.	1999 Jul 27	10421593
Inhibition of HIV-1 infection by zinc group metal compounds.	1999 Sep	10517314
Aquaporin-1 is expressed by vascular smooth muscle cells and mediates rapid water transport across vascular cell membranes.	1999 Sep-Oct	10559675
Role of aquaporin water channels in pleural fluid dynamics.	2000 Dec	11078688
Neurokinin 1 and 2 receptors mediate cholera toxin secretion in rat jejunum.	2000 Oct	11040190
Cloning and functional expression of an MIP (AQP0) homolog from killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) lens.	2001 Dec	11705786
Erythrocyte water permeability and renal function in double knockout mice lacking aquaporin-1 and aquaporin-3.	2001 Jan 5	11035042
Reduced nephrotoxicity of conventional amphotericin B therapy after minimal nephroprotective measures: animal experiments and clinical study.	2002 Aug 1	12134234
Overexpression of copper zinc superoxide dismutase suppresses human glioma cell growth.	2002 Feb 15	11861405
NKCC activity restores muscle water during hyperosmotic challenge independent of insulin, ERK, and p38 MAPK.	2003 Mar	12433675
Synergistic effects of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and aquaporin-9 in the rat epididymis.	2003 May	12606488
[Water permeability of the OMCD and IMCD cells' basolateral membrane under the conditions of dehydration and dDAVP action].	2004 Jul	15462210
Serum electrolyte, serum protein, serum fat and renal responses to a dietary sodium challenge: allostasis and allostatic load.	2004 Jul-Aug	15513697
Biochemistry. Water photolysis in biology.	2004 Mar 19	15031485
Molecular and functional characterization of a vasotocin-sensitive aquaporin water channel in quail kidney.	2004 Oct	15205186
Reversible silencing of CFTR chloride channels by glutathionylation.	2005 Feb	15657297
Effect of dioxane on the structure and hydration-dehydration of alpha-chymotrypsin as measured by FTIR spectroscopy.	2005 Jun 15	15882959
The mineralocorticoid receptor: a journey exploring its diversity and specificity of action.	2005 Sep	15802372
Inherited sodium avid states.	2006 Apr	16580612
Cross-sectional relations of serum aldosterone and urine sodium excretion to urinary albumin excretion in a community-based sample.	2006 Jun	16572107
Mechanisms of disease: the role of GRK4 in the etiology of essential hypertension and salt sensitivity.	2006 Nov	17066056
The story of the discovery of aquaporins: convergent evolution of ideas--but who got there first?	2006 Oct 30	17543213
Two distinct aquaporin-4 cDNAs isolated from medullary cone of quail kidney.	2007 May	17303458
A stable and sensitive testing system for potential carcinogens based on DNA damage-induced gene expression in human HepG2 cell.	2009 Feb	19013231
Tobramycin-induced aquagenic wrinkling of the palms in a patient with cystic fibrosis.	2009 Jul	19438544
Ferritin enhances salsolinol-mediated DNA strand breakage: protection by carnosine and related compounds.	2009 Jul 10	19433265
Evidence for the involvement of aquaporins in sperm motility activation of the teleost gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata).	2009 Nov	19571262
Expression and functional characterization of four aquaporin water channels from the European eel (Anguilla anguilla).	2009 Sep 1	19684221
Redox cycling and increased oxygen utilization contribute to diquat-induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase.	2011 Apr 1	21215309
Identification and characterization of functional aquaporin water channel protein from alimentary tract of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci.	2011 Mar	21146609
Water permeability and characterization of aquaporin-11.	2011 May	21251984
Estrogen prevents increased hepatic aquaporin-9 expression and glycerol uptake during starvation.	2012 Feb 1	22114114
Copper(II)-human amylin complex protects pancreatic cells from amylin toxicity.	2013 Aug 14	23793354
Intracellular lumen extension requires ERM-1-dependent apical membrane expansion and AQP-8-mediated flux.	2013 Feb	23334498

Patents

Sample Use Guides

In Vivo Use Guide

10% Potassium Hydroxide

Route of Administration: Topical

In Vitro Use Guide

Unknown

Substance Class	Chemical Created by `admin` on `Mon Mar 31 18:21:15 GMT 2025` Edited by `admin` on `Mon Mar 31 18:21:15 GMT 2025`
Record UNII	WZH3C48M4T
Record Status	`Validated (UNII)`
Record Version

Download

Name

Type

Language

KALI CAUSTICUM

Preferred Name

English

Potassium hydroxide

Official Name

English

E-525

Code

English

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE [FCC]

Common Name

English

CAUSTIC-POTASH

Common Name

English

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE [EP MONOGRAPH]

Common Name

English

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE [VANDF]

Common Name

English

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE [II]

Common Name

English

INS-525

Code

English

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE SOLUTION

Common Name

English

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE [MI]

Common Name

English

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE [JAN]

Common Name

English

INS NO.525

Code

English

KALI CAUSTICUM [HPUS]

Common Name

English

CAUSTIC POTASH

Common Name

English

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE SOLUTION [FCC]

Common Name

English

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE [MART.]

Common Name

English

Potassium hydroxide [WHO-DD]

Common Name

English

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE [HSDB]

Common Name

English

POTASSIUM HYDRATE

Systematic Name

English

Classification Tree Code System Code

CFR

21 CFR 175.210