Key Takeaways
- Serious side effects are more likely to occur when taking high doses, particularly in people with certain health conditions like kidney disease or take medications that affect potassium levels.
- Hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) is a potential complication that can be serious and require emergency care if it becomes severe.
- Excess potassium can disrupt the heart’s electrical signals, potentially causing heart arrhythmias.
While potassium supplements are common, they can cause serious side effects in some cases, especially at high doses, in people with certain conditions, or when combined with specific medications. Most healthy people do not develop serious side effects from dietary potassium intake.
1. High Potassium Levels (Hyperkalemia)
Hyperkalemia means you have high potassium levels in your blood. Taking potassium supplements may increase the risk of hyperkalemia, particularly if you take very high doses or are not being monitored closely by a healthcare provider.
Hyperkalemia often causes no symptoms, especially in early or moderate cases. When symptoms do occur, they may include numbness and tingling, muscle weakness, and nausea. If potassium levels rise quickly or reach high levels, symptoms can be more serious and may include:
Severe or sudden hyperkalemia requires emergency medical care.
Blood potassium levels are typically monitored when potassium supplements are used long term or in people at higher risk for hyperkalemia. Always consult your healthcare provider before taking potassium supplements.
2. Heart Rhythm Problems
An arrhythmia refers to a problem with the heart’s rate or rhythm. Untreated or severe hyperkalemia can disrupt the heart’s electrical activity and lead to arrhythmias.
High potassium levels can interfere with the electrical signals that control the heartbeat. In severe cases, arrhythmias caused by high potassium can be life-threatening and require emergency medical care. Prompt recognition and treatment are important to prevent serious complications.
3. Digestive Problems
Oral potassium supplements can cause gastrointestinal side effects, including upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
You can help reduce these side effects by:
- Take each dose of potassium with a meal and an 8-ounce glass of water.
- Avoid lying down for at least ten minutes after taking your dose.
- Read labels carefully, and check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist for any special instructions on administration. Many potassium supplements should be swallowed whole. However, some can be opened and sprinkled into soft food or dissolved in water.
In rare cases, solid oral potassium chloride formulation have been associated with gastrointestinal injury, including small bowel lesions. Following the label instructions and using appropriate formulations helps reduce this risk.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have stomach-related side effects that bother you or do not go away.
Medications That Interact With Potassium Supplements
Because several common drugs affect potassium, do not start a potassium supplement without first discussing all your medications with a provider.
Drugs that can interact with potassium supplements include:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as Zestril (lisinopril), and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), such as Cozaar (losartan), are commonly prescribed for blood pressure, kidney disease, and to improve survival after a heart attack. Hyperkalemia is a possible side effect of these drugs.
- Potassium-sparing diuretics, such as Aldactone (spironolactone), may cause hyperkalemia.
- Loop diuretics, such as furosemide, and thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, can cause hypokalemia (low levels of potassium).
Who Is At Higher Risk?
Check with your healthcare provider before adding a new supplement to your routine, and potassium is no exception. Some people may be at higher risk for developing hyperkalemia, such as:
- People who take certain medicines, such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or potassium-sparing diuretics
- People with kidney problems
- People with diabetes, especially advanced diabetes with kidney impairment
- People with congestive heart failure (CHF)
- People with adrenal problems
- People with liver problems
You can talk to your healthcare provider for more information and medical advice on whether you need a potassium supplement, and if so, what dose is appropriate for you.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements the way it regulates prescription medications. As a result, some supplement products may not contain the ingredients listed on the label.
When choosing a supplement, look for products independently tested or certified by organizations such as NSF, U.S. Pharmacopeia, or ConsumerLab.com. For personalized guidance, consult your healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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