Why can't you lay down for 30 minutes after you take potassium pills?

You shouldn't lay down for 30 minutes after taking potassium supplements because you want to make sure that they are completely swallowed. It's a good idea to drink a large glass of water with them as well. If you lay down or don't take them with alot of water, it could burn your esophagus. This advice applies to potassium chloride pills (KCl). An alternative to taking the KCl pills for potassium repletion is to take potassium citrate. It will replete your potassium with out the side effects of KCl.