THE EFFECT OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE AND SPIRONOLACTONE ON THIAZIDE‐INDUCED POTASSIUM DEPLETION IN PATIENTS WITH ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Total exchangeable potassium (KE), red blood cell potassium (KRBC), serum potassium (KS) and blood pressure (BP) have been determined in 34 patients with essential hypertension after not less than 4 weeks' therapy with hydrochlorothiazide, 75 mg daily. KE was significantly lower than the levels found in untreated patients with essential hypertension, determined by the same method and in the same laboratory. KRBC and KS were also significantly lower than the values in normal individuals. The patients were then divided at random into two groups, one group receiving a potassium chloride supplement of 60 mEq/d., the other a spironolactone supplement of 100 mg/d. After 5 weeks of combined therapy the above parameters were again determined. Both groups presented a significant rise of Ke, Krbc and KS. The rise of KS in the spironolactone group was significantly higher than that found in the potassium chloride group, but the increase of KE and Krbc in the two groups did not differ significantly. Spironolactone caused a significant reduction in systolic as well as diastolic BP, while potassium supplement did not influence the BP.