Severe hyperkalaemia due to the concomitant use of salt substitutes and ACE inhibitors in hypertension: a potentially life threatening interaction

K Ray; S Dorman; R Watson

doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1000890

Severe hyperkalaemia due to the concomitant use of salt substitutes and ACE inhibitors in hypertension: a potentially life threatening interaction

J Hum Hypertens. 1999 Oct;13(10):717-20. doi: 10.1038/sj.jhh.1000890.

Authors

K Ray¹, S Dorman, R Watson

Affiliation

¹ Department of Cardiology, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK.

PMID: 10516744
DOI: 10.1038/sj.jhh.1000890

Abstract

We report two cases of hyperkalaemia related to the use of the salt substitute 'Lo Salt' in hypertensive patients on treatment with ACE inhibitors. In each case serum potassium returned to the normal range after cessation of the salt substitute. Without vigilance the contribution of the salt substitute to hyperkalaemia would have been overlooked and an ACE inhibitor erroneously withdrawn.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Aged
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / adverse effects*
Blood Pressure / drug effects
Diuretics / adverse effects*
Drug Interactions
Drug Therapy, Combination
Electrocardiography / drug effects
Humans
Hyperkalemia / blood
Hyperkalemia / chemically induced*
Hypertension / blood
Hypertension / drug therapy*
Hypertension / physiopathology
Male
Middle Aged
Potassium / blood
Potassium, Dietary / adverse effects*

Substances

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Diuretics
Potassium, Dietary
Potassium