Taking a potassium supplement can be helpful if a potassium deficiency is affecting your health. A potassium deficiency can occur if you are taking certain medications or don't get enough potassium in your diet. Most healthy people get adequate potassium from their diets and do not need to take potassium supplements. Ask your doctor if taking an over-the-counter potassium supplement is safe for you before you begin using a supplement.
Potassium Deficiency
A potassium deficiency, also called hypokalemia, can occur if you take laxatives, steroids or diuretics, or if you have a rare adrenal gland or kidney disorder. Doctors prescribe diuretics, also called water pills, to control high blood pressure or heart diseases. Medline Plus reports that diuretic use is probably the most common cause of hypokalemia. A deficiency can also occur if you have a very limited diet and don't eat foods high in potassium, such as meat, chicken, bananas and potatoes. Illnesses that involve vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration can deplete your potassium level, as can excessive perspiration during exercise.
Taking Potassium
Potassium supplements are available in liquid, powder, solution, extended release, granule, tablet and capsule forms, and may also be included in certain multivitamins. Adults and children over age 10 need approximately 2,000 mg of potassium daily, while the recommended potassium intake for younger children varies by age. Because potassium in the foods you eat contributes to your daily potassium intake, your doctor may adjust the dosage of your supplement to prevent your potassium level from becoming too high.
Considerations
If you use the liquid, granule or a powder form of the supplement, be sure to follow package directions for mixing the supplement. These forms must be diluted in 4- to 8-ounces of water or juice, depending on the type. Diluting the medication reduces the risk of irritation to your stomach. Taking the supplement immediately after you finish a meal can help to reduce upset stomach and decrease the chance that the supplement will have a laxative effect on your gastrointestinal system.
Warning
Taking too much potassium can result in a condition called hyperkalemia. Symptoms of hyperkalemia include trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat, weakness in the muscles and confusion. If you experience these symptoms while taking potassium supplements, contact your doctor immediately. Certain drugs can increase your potassium level. If you take ACE inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, heparin, cyclosporine or beta blockers, ask your doctor if a potassium supplement is safe for you. People who have poor kidney function and take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or ACE inhibitors may increase their risk of developing hyperkalemia, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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