If the results of a blood test indicate low levels of potassium in your blood -- or hypokalemia -- expect your doctor to recommend a high-potassium diet. If that intervention is not adequate enough to raise your serum potassium to a healthy level, your doctor will likely prescribe a medication to help raise your potassium.
Hypokalemia
Your doctor diagnoses hypokalemia when your serum potassium falls below a therapeutic level. Profound hypokalemia leads to serious and ultimately life-threatening complications. Therefore, treatment of the condition is emergent and involves rapid potassium replacement, which is usually intravenous. If, however, you have only mild hypokalemia or need to prevent future episodes of the electrolyte imbalance, the only necessary intervention is likely a prescription for one of two types of medication: potassium supplements and potassium-sparing diuretics.
Potassium Supplementation
There are four types of potassium-replacement medications: potassium bicarbonate, potassium chloride, potassium citrate and potassium gluconate. Your doctor decides which formulation, or combination of formulations, is best for you. There are several medication contraindications to consider. Talk to your doctor if you take certain medications, such as beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, steroids, NSAIDs and ibuprofen. Your doctor may modify your medication profile, or he may consider another treatment option altogether.
Potassium-sparing Medications
Doctors prescribe potassium-sparing diuretics for the treatment and prevention of hypokalemia. It acts by blocking your body's ability to absorb excessive salt and preventing an abnormally low potassium level. As is the case with potassium supplements, alert your doctor if you currently take steroids, ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers. Taking these concurrently with a potassium-sparing diuretic is potentially unsafe. Additionally, inform your doctor if you take the mood stabilizer lithium.
Potential Side Effects
Expected side effects of potassium supplements include gastrointestinal upset, such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. You may also experience a skin rash, mild tingling in your feet or hands and anxiety. These side effects are not usually serious. However, if you feel weak, your legs feel heavy or you experience unusual fatigue, inform your doctor immediately. The same is true if you become confused, your heart begins to beat abnormally or if you experience stomach pain or cramping that is severe. Normal, expected side effects of potassium-sparing diuretics also include mild gastrointestinal symptoms. You may also notice headache, skin rash or dizziness. Call your doctor immediately if you experience a loss of appetite, jaundice, dark urine, drowsiness, restlessness, numbness, confusion or tremors, reduction in or no urination, an abnormal heart beat, shallow breathing and muscle weakness or pain.
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