Potassium interaction with meds - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

32,306 members38,577 posts

Potassium interaction with meds

Dave1961 profile image
9 Replies

Hey all

I have been doing tons of research on supplements to help with AF recently and of course have also been researching side effects that could be caused by my meds so I am not doing anything I shouldn't.

I'm on Amiodaron, Metoprolol, Plavix, Crestor and thought I read that potassium has a bad interaction with one of these but today I can not seem to find anything.

Does anyone know if one of these meds means no potassium supps or I just imaginated after spending way too many hours glued to Google?

Cheers

Written by
Dave1961 profile image
Dave1961
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
9 Replies
Japaholic profile image
Japaholic

You can find anything online if you look hard enough, AF can be cured by the power of prayer, from eating a banana only diet for a month or drinking your own urine. I've been there and done that reading all the loopy stuff, now I stick with what to me sounds plausible!

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply toJapaholic

Well said.

Dave1961 profile image
Dave1961 in reply toJapaholic

I understand what you are saying but I am not looking for "loopy" simply seeing if someone knows about the drug interaction. I know that warfarin and potassium supplements are proven to be contraindicated so just being cautious.

Thomps95 profile image
Thomps95

Why not ask a pharmacist? And if you find out, let us know! Potassium is much less benign than magnesium. To put it into perspective, the ingredient that stops the heart in a "lethal injection" is potassium. So one has to be careful not to take too much, and it wouldn't surprise me if it's not recommended in combination certain drugs that affect the heart.

rosyG profile image
rosyG

I have tried to read up on Potassium and have found that having a diet high in Potassium is keeping AF at bay. Also need Magnesium in diet.

However, clinicians I have asked don't like supplements ( unless one is on diruetics which make you lose Potassium, in which case a slow release potassium medication is fine)

This is because you can overdose if taking supplements whereas your body just excretes any not needed if it's in your diet.And potassium can cause arrhythmias if in excess.

I haven't heard of any clashes with medication from Potassium in diet= not to say there isn't any of course. and I'm not medically qualified!!

Davesgirl profile image
Davesgirl

My husband is also on Amiodarone and his blood potassium was high. I can't remember where I read it but Amiodarone does seem to be 'potassium sparing'. He was unable to take Spironolactone, also 'potassium sparing' because of that.

Dave1961- we are doing very similar stuff nutritionally to you, but because potassium is in so many things like fruit and veg, it's probably not worth worrying about.

Incidentally, I slather the poor bloke in magnesium oil night and morning. On blood thinners it can sting a bit, but I think adding magnesium is the more important. Just eat plenty of fruit and veg.

On Amiodarone you should be having regular blood tests which include a test for potassium, or at least my husband does, so you know whether it's ok or not.

GolfMyrtleBeach profile image
GolfMyrtleBeach

Although it qualifies for the "Loopy" category, 3 - 10oz bottles of OJ will often stop my a-fib attacks within 30 minutes or so.A 10oz bottle of Tropicana has 560mg. of potassium. Hopefully, that is well below the lethal injection dosage, because I have had no ill effects so far.

EngMac profile image
EngMac

Try this website if you have not already. It gives recommended amounts, etc.

webmd.com/vitamins-and-supp...

01maxdog profile image
01maxdog

I think I'd rather follow a healthy diet that gives me everything I need than taking supplements

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Advice re BP meds

Hi, I'm going to put this on here and on the BP forum- I have very occasional AF as long as my...
rosyG profile image

Drug interaction

I have been writing about increased joint pain for months now. Following a post this morning , I...
Luludean profile image

up date on Potassium effects!!

I have written on here before about the fact that when I have been to A and E , when first...
rosyG profile image

Potassium!

Has anyone else tried supplementing potassium to ease arrythmias? I've had a surprising result....
Cliff_G profile image

Potassium supplements

Does anyone take these supplements to prevent ectopics please. I take magnesium daily but try and...
Profound15 profile image

Moderation team

See all
Emily-Admin profile image
Emily-AdminAdministrator
Kelley-Admin profile image
Kelley-AdminAdministrator
jess-admin profile image
jess-adminAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.