There are three classifications of diuretics, notes MayoClinic.com: thiazide, loop and potassium-sparing. Each of these groups of diuretics affects the amount of potassium in your body. Potassium is an essential electrolyte that helps your heart beat regularly and your muscles function normally.
Thiazide Diuretics
Thiazide diuretics include chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide and metolazone. These diuretics work to decrease the amount of fluid in the body and vasodilate, or expand, the arteries. Often this type of diuretic is the first line of medication a doctor prescribes in treating high blood pressure. The most common side effect of these types of diuretics is potassium loss in the urine. Your physician might want to check your blood frequently to make sure your potassium level is stable.
Loop Diuretics
Loop diuretics differ from thiazide diuretics in their mechanism of action. Loop diuretics work in the part of the kidney called the ascending limb of the Loop of Henle. These diuretics inhibit the pump that reabsorbs sodium. This increases the amount of fluid that is excreted. Loop diuretics include furosemide, torsemide and bumetanide. Again, because of their mechanism of action, potassium is also lost in the urine and may create low blood potassium. Other medications could react badly in the body if potassium is low. For example, digitalis can become toxic in the face of low potassium.
Potassium-sparing Diuretics
This group of diuretics works to collect more sodium in the kidneys and thus decrease the amount of potassium that is lost through the kidneys. This concentrates the urine. Unfortunately, this class of medication has a very weak effect on sodium loss, and often a loop or thiazide diuretic is used in combination with a potassium-sparing diuretic in order to control blood pressure and maintain potassium balance. Potassium-sparing diuretics include amiloride, spironolactone and triamterene.
Treating Low Potassium
Your physician might decide to put you on potassium supplements in order to maintain adequate amounts of potassium in your blood. These supplements are easy to take and fairly cheap. Another way to boost potassium is to eat foods high in it. Foods such as apricots, avocados, figs, lima beans, potatoes, peanuts, spinach, squash and yogurt can help increase the amount of potassium you are getting.
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