title: Potassium restoration in hypertensive patients made hypokalemic by hydrochlorothiazide.
abstract: Among 447 hypertensive patients, most with a history of diuretic-induced hypokalemia, 252 developed diuretic-induced hypokalemia while receiving hydrochlorothiazide, 50 mg/d. In a randomized study we evaluated the efficacy of three drug regimens in restoring potassium levels while maintaining blood pressure control: hydrochlorothiazide (50 mg/d) plus potassium supplement (20 mmol/d); hydrochlorothiazide (50 mg/d) plus potassium supplement (40 mmol/d); or hydrochlorothiazide (50 mg/d) with triamterene (75 mg/d) in one combination tablet. In all groups, mean serum levels of potassium rose within 1 week and showed no further change thereafter. However, the hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide plus 40 mmol of potassium regimens were significantly more effective in restoring serum potassium levels than was the hydrochlorothiazide plus 20 mmol of potassium regimen. A significant increase in magnesium levels was observed only in the group treated with the hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene combination. Each regimen provided continued control of mild to moderate hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Center for Aging, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294.
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Schnaper
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Freis
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Garland
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hollifield
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: McMahon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood*; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium