Prevention of hypokalemia caused by diuretics.
Hypokalemia induced by the use of diuretics is common. Those at risk include the elderly, women, patients with edematous states, and patients in whom higher doses and/or the more potent agents are used. Prevention should include a low-salt diet rich in potassium, magnesium, and chloride (either through foods enriched with these elements or through potassium chloride supplements) and use of low doses of short-acting diuretics in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension. The subgroup of hypertensive patients in whom hypokalemia develops despite these recommendations may benefit from a change to the potassium-sparing diuretic spironolactone or substitution of diuretics with alternative first-line drugs.
Bourke
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Department of Medicine, State University of New York Health Science Center, Brooklyn VA Medical Center.
Delaney
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V
D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017419:Potassium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012307:Risk Factors; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage
D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D017419:Potassium, Dietary; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D012982:Sodium, Dietary