Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-induced hyperkalemia in patients receiving inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system: a population-based study.
BACKGROUND
Trimethoprim therapy can cause hyperkalemia and is often coprescribed with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). The objective of this study was to characterize the risk of hyperkalemia-associated hospitalization in elderly patients who were being treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole along with either an ACEI or an ARB.


METHODS
We conducted a population-based, nested case-control study of a cohort of elderly patients 66 years or older who were residents of Ontario, Canada, and who were receiving continuous therapy with either an ACEI or an ARB. Case patients were those with a hyperkalemia-associated hospitalization within 14 days of receiving a prescription for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, or nitrofurantoin. For each case, we identified up to 4 control patients from the same cohort matched for age, sex, and presence or absence of chronic renal disease and diabetes. Odds ratios were determined for the association between hyperkalemia-associated hospitalization and previous antibiotic use.


RESULTS
During the 14-year study period, we identified 4148 admissions involving hyperkalemia, 371 of which occurred within 14 days of antibiotic exposure. Compared with amoxicillin, the use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was associated with a nearly 7-fold increased risk of hyperkalemia-associated hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio, 6.7; 95% confidence interval, 4.5-10.0). No such risk was found with the use of comparator antibiotics.


CONCLUSIONS
Among older patients treated with ACEIs or ARBs, the use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is associated with a major increase in the risk of hyperkalemia-associated hospitalization relative to other antibiotics. Alternate antibiotic therapy should be considered in these patients when clinically appropriate.
Antoniou
Tony
T
Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. tantoniou@smh.toronto.on.ca.
Gomes
Tara
T
Juurlink
David N
DN
Loutfy
Mona R
MR
Glazier
Richard H
RH
Mamdani
Muhammad M
MM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013419:Sulfamethizole / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000096926:Benzenesulfonamides
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004338:Drug Combinations; D011188:Potassium; D013419:Sulfamethizole; D014295:Trimethoprim; C029078:trimethoprim sulfamethizole; D000096926:Benzenesulfonamides