Lotrel and Potassium

Lotrel, a medication designed to control high blood pressure, contains a calcium channel blocker and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, also called an ACE inhibitor. Both substances affect the way your body responds to potassium. Some people, especially those with kidney problems, may develop high blood potassium levels. Consult your doctor if you consume high-potassium foods, salt with potassium or a potassium supplement.

Lotrel and Potassium Levels

An ACE inhibitor may prevent your body from excreting excess potassium, while the calcium channel blocker may counter this effect, explains Dr. Steven C. Herrmann, a cardiologist at Bradford Regional Medical Center in Bradford, Pennsylvania. "Unless you consume excess potassium, take a potassium supplement or use a supplement that increases your blood potassium levels, you do not have a high risk of developing high blood potassium levels while taking Lotrel," Herrmann emphasizes. Talk to your doctor about any medications, herbs or supplements you use anytime you start a new medication.

Hyperkalemia

Your body needs a blood potassium level of 3.6 to 4.8 mEq/L to function properly. If you have more potassium in your blood than this, you have borderline hyperkalemia, or high blood potassium levels. A blood potassium level above 6.0 mEq/L may cause life-threatening complications. Common symptoms of hyperkalemia include nausea, irregular heartbeat or a weak, slow or absent pulse. Extremely high blood potassium levels may lead to complications such as loss of consciousness, cardiac arrest and muscle or nerve damage. To diagnose hyperkalemia, your doctor may perform an electrocardiogram and blood tests. If you have never had high potassium levels, your doctor may also talk to you about your potassium intake, current medications and use of supplements. Other tests may include a urine analysis and kidney function tests.

Prevention

While hyperkalemia does not affect the majority of people on Lotrel, you can help prevent it from happening to you. Herrmann recommends avoiding supplements containing potassium, salt substitutes and supplements that may increase blood potassium levels such as horsetail, alfalfa, dandelion and nettle. He also advises using moderation when eating foods high in potassium, such as peaches, lima beans, legumes, spinach, raisins, cod, halibut, flounder, avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, chicken, tomatoes, citrus juices and potatoes.

Treatment

Healthcare providers often start treating hyperkalemia by treating the symptoms and treating underlying conditions, such as kidney disorders, explains Herrmann. Medications such as diuretics, sodium bicarbonate, dialysis or intravenous calcium, insulin or glucose help decrease the amount of potassium in your blood. Dietary changes to limit your potassium intake also help lower potassium levels.