Potassium is an essential nutrient your body uses to keep your heart, nerves, muscles and cells functioning properly. Usually, people get enough potassium each day by consuming foods rich in this nutrient, including fish, beans, fruits, vegetables and meat. Potassium supplements are orally administered capsules that help raise your blood potassium levels if you aren't getting enough of this nutrient. Discuss any medications you are taking with your doctor before you begin taking potassium supplements.
Precautions
Potassium supplements usually contain more than 99 mg of potassium per dose and should only be taken if prescribed by a doctor. Children under the age of 18 should not take potassium supplements unless such treatment is recommended by a pediatrician.
Enhance Effects of Potassium
Several classes of medication may enhance the effects of potassium supplements, which may cause an unhealthy increase in your blood potassium levels. For this reason, do not use potassium supplements in conjunction with angiotensin receptor blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-coagulants, cardiac glycoside, or anti-hypertensive, anti-infective or potassium-sparing agents. Abnormally high potassium levels may cause hyperkalemia, a serious health condition characterized by nausea, weakness, heart rate irregularities and temporary paralysis. Contact your doctor immediately if you exhibit any of these signs of hyperkalemia while taking potassium supplements. Left untreated, hyperkalemia may be life-threatening.
Reduce Effects of Potassium
There are also a variety of medications that may reduce the effects of potassium supplements and can cause a severe drop in your blood potassium levels. Such drugs include decongestants, bronchodilators, beta-adrenergic agonists, labor suppressing agents, mineralcorticoids or high doses of antibiotics or glucocorticoids. Low blood potassium, also called hypokalemia, may also occur if you are taking phenolphthalein, sodium polystyrene sulfonate or caffeine. If you're taking one of these medications, your doctor may need to increase your daily dose of potassium supplements to counteract the effects of these treatments. Persistently low potassium levels may cause constipation, muscle cramps, heart rate changes, weakness or fatigue. Seek prompt care from your doctor if any of these symptoms emerge to ensure you receive appropriate care.
Warnings and Contraindications
Regardless of any medications you may be taking, treatment with potassium supplements may not be appropriate if you have certain health concerns. People with hyperkalemia or kidney disease should not take potassium supplements, because such treatment may exacerbate the symptoms of their health condition. Treatment with potassium supplements may also cause mild side effects, including diarrhea, vomiting, unusual body sensations or confusion. If these side effects persist or become severe, contact your doctor for further evaluation.
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