title: Preventing hypokalemia
abstract: Dietary modification is an inefficient and calorically unwise means of preventing hypokalemia; potassium supplements present compliance problems and are of little or no use in the patient with a concomitant magnesium deficiency.  Prescribing potassium-sparing diuretics is the best prevention-oriented choice, but diabetics and older patients must be monitored for signs of hyperkalemia, and it is generally better not to use these agents in patients who are also taking ACE inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, USA.
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Hollenberg
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D004232:Diuretics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011188:Potassium / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004232:Diuretics; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D011188:Potassium