Diuretic-induced hypokalemia

Abstract

Among patients receiving thiazides for hypertension, there was no reliable predictor of those who would develop significant hypokalemia (a decrease in serum potassium of at least 0.5 mEq. per L). Eighty percent of patients required 60 mEq. of potassium chloride 10 percent elixir daily for successful treatment of thiazide-induced hypokalemia. Foods containing potassium or organic anion compounds of potassium are not useful in this potentially dangerous situation.