Potassium Bromide & Water

Potassium bromide is an ionic salt, written as KBr for scientific purposes. It is manufactured by the reaction of potassium carbonate with a bromide of iron. KBr reacts readily with water, and appears as a white powder in its original state.

  1. Reaction

    • Potassium bromide is highly soluble in water, and creates a solution near a pH of 7. When potassium bromide is combined with water the result is an endothermic reaction with heat being absorbed. The solution becomes hydrobromic acid and potassium hydroxide.

    Taste

    • Strong solutions of potassium bromide result in nausea and vomiting.

      In a dilute aqueous solution potassium bromide is slightly sweet. In higher concentrations it is bitter, and at its highest concentration it is salty. Highly concentrated solutions of potassium bromide act as an irritant to the gastric mucous membrane. This results in nausea and sometimes vomiting.

    Uses

    • Potassium bromide solutions are used to treat epilepsy in dogs.

      Potassium bromide solutions were used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as an anticonvulsant and sedative. It is now used as the primary method of treatment for epilepsy in dogs. Currently potassium bromide is not approved by the FDA to treat epilepsy in humans.