Prednisone is a corticosteroid used to treat a variety of conditions, such as lupus and asthma. While it can be a beneficial medication, prednisone can also lower the amount of potassium in your body, increasing your chances of becoming deficient in this mineral. If you are taking corticosteroids or other medications that may deplete your potassium levels, talk to your doctor about what you can do to boost your intake of this important nutrient.
Dangers of Potassium Deficiencies
Potassium plays several vital roles in your body by aiding in such activities as heart function, muscle contraction and digestive regulation. If you are on prednisone and your potassium levels become too low, you may develop a potassium deficiency, also known as hypokalemia. A serious condition that can be deadly when left untreated, hypokalemia may cause symptoms such as an abnormal pulse, fatigue, muscle cramps and various kinds of stomach upset. If you suspect prednisone has caused you to become deficient in potassium, seek medical attention.
Other Risks of Prednisone
Along with depleting your potassium levels, prednisone poses other risks to your health. It can cause myriad side effects, including headache, insomnia, extreme mood swings, acne, purple blotches on the skin, increased hair growth, weakness, heartburn, decreased sexual desire and excessive sweating. Prednisone also increases your risk of developing osteoporosis because it can cause your bones to lose calcium. Discuss the risks of prednisone with your doctor before you begin taking it, and tell her if you experience any adverse side effects.
Other Potassium-Lowering Medications
Prednisone is not the only medication that may lower the amount of potassium in your body. Other medications that can cause a deficiency include diuretics, antacids, insulin, laxatives and theophylline. On the other hand, some other medications can cause potassium levels to rise, which may increase your risk of toxicity. For these reasons, it is important to ask your doctor about how your medicine might interfere with your potassium levels. The doctor can help you make the necessary dietary adjustments while using your medications.
Food Sources of Potassium and RDA
If you are taking prednisone, your doctor may suggest you eat more potassium-rich foods to avoid a deficiency. Many foods contain this mineral; particularly good sources include red meat, chicken, salmon, soy products, broccoli, tomatoes, kiwi, dried apricots and milk. The recommended dietary allowance or RDA for potassium is 4.7 grams, according to MedlinePlus. However, if you are on prednisone, your doctor may suggest you get more potassium than this.
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