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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Should A Potassium Supplement Be Taken While On Losartan And Furosemide?

Does taking losartan potassium for high blood pressure mean that I do not need to take a potassium supplement, even when taking a diuretic (furosemide)? I m also taking verapamil, for heart blood flow problems. And I stopped taking potassium when first prescribed verapamil. So now, with these new prescriptions, I don t know what I should do about my potassium. Thanks.
Thu, 19 Jul 2018
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Furosemide releases potassium into the urine and may result in hypokalemia. Losartan causes hyperkalemia but the balance between the two drugs cannot be predicted in an individual basis. In other words, a patient may be fine with the combination while other patients may require potassium supplementation. My personal experience with this issue is that most patients will do well without supplementation but monitoring is required anyway, particularly when starting taking these drugs. So in conclusion, there is no strict rule for taking (or not taking) supplements and monitoring is recommended.

Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

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Should A Potassium Supplement Be Taken While On Losartan And Furosemide?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Furosemide releases potassium into the urine and may result in hypokalemia. Losartan causes hyperkalemia but the balance between the two drugs cannot be predicted in an individual basis. In other words, a patient may be fine with the combination while other patients may require potassium supplementation. My personal experience with this issue is that most patients will do well without supplementation but monitoring is required anyway, particularly when starting taking these drugs. So in conclusion, there is no strict rule for taking (or not taking) supplements and monitoring is recommended. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.