Total Body Potassium in Patients Receiving Chlorthalidone and Metoprolol for Hypertension

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Abstract
Measurements of potassium status were reviewed in 23 hypertensive patients receiving metoprolol either alone or in combination with chlorthalidone or chlorthalidone plus potassium over an average period of nine months. There was no statistically significant change in plasma potassium, total blood cell or total body groups developed hypokalaemia (serum potassium <3.0mmol/l) in the absence of significant falls in total blood cell or total body potassium. Thus the use of chlorthalidone plus potassium did not provide adequate prophylaxis against hypokalaemia even in metoprolol recipients. The study confirms that monitoring parameters of potassium handling is still necessary in β-blocker recipients who also receive diuretics alone or in a fixed-dose combination with potassium.