Potassium & Tri-Sprintec

The product Tri-Sprintec, which consists of the active ingredients norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol, prevents pregnancy, regulates the menstrual cycle and may be used to treat the symptoms of menopause. While it is always wise to use caution when taking vitamin supplements with a prescription medication, no known drug interactions exist between potassium supplements and Tri-Sprintec. If you have concerns about the link between your potassium levels and Tri-Sprintec, talk to your doctor.

Potassium

Potassium plays a crucial role in the function of the digestive system and heart. The adequate intake amount of potassium for adults is 4.7 g a day. Many foods, including bananas, tomatoes, salmon, citrus juices, chicken and other meats, contain good amounts of potassium. People who eat a healthy diet typically do not need to take potassium supplements, but if you have a medical condition or are deficient in this mineral, you may need additional supplementation. If you are concerned about your potassium levels, ask a doctor to perform blood work or an ECG to determine if there is a problem.

Tri-Sprintec

Women typically take Tri-Sprintec birth control pills once a day, at the same time of day. For maximum effectiveness, the pills should not be taken more than 24 hours apart. Although some women experience no side effects at all, others may have bouts of nausea, vomiting, changes in weight, bleeding between menstrual periods and breast tenderness. Although rare, serious side effects of Tri-Sprintec include severe stomach pain, one-sided weakness, persistent or recurring vaginal bleeding, slurred speech, pain in a leg or calf, difficulty breathing, difficulty wearing contacts, lumps in the breast, a sudden or severe headache, swelling of your fingers or ankles, numbness in an arm or legs, fainting, dizziness and jaundice. Call a doctor immediately if you experience any of these serious side effects while taking Tri-Sprintec.

Considerations

Although Tri-Sprintec birth control pills do not affect potassium levels in the body, other types of birth control pills do. Any pill in this category that contains drospirenone may raise the potassium levels in your body. Acquiring too great an amount of potassium may result in a serious condition known as hyperkalemia. Although most women will not develop hyperkalemia from taking a birth control pill that contains drospirenone, a woman who is already at risk for high potassium levels may need to avoid taking these medications.

Interactions

Although no known drug interactions exist between potassium and Tri-Sprintec, this does not necessarily mean that no interactions exist. In addition, Tri-Sprintec may interact negatively with other medications or supplements. Some medications and supplements known to interact negatively with Tri-Sprintec include troglitazone, topiramate, tetracyclines, Saint-John's-wort, rifampin, penicillin, nevirapine, modafinil, hydantoins, HIV protease inhibitors, griseofulvin, elbamate, carbamazepine, barbiturates, bosentan, aprepitant, azole antifungals, beta-blockers, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, theophyllines, troleandomycin and lamotrigine. Always report all of your current medications and supplements to a doctor before taking Tri-Sprintec.