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Suggest Treatment For Rapid Heart Rate And The Low Potassium Levels

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Posted on Sat, 1 Mar 2014
Twitter Sat, 1 Mar 2014 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 20 Mar 2014 Last reviewed on
Question : I am taking diltiazem 24hr er120mg and losartan hctz50- 12.5mg for blood pressure and AFIB. I went to the ER yesterday for 130 heart rate, weakness, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I was informed that my potassium was low 3.4. Prescribed KLOR-CON M20 two times a day. Now I read about KLOR_CON's interaction with losartan hctz50- 12.5mg and I am concerned that my potassium levels may get too high due to interaction between now and my follow up appointment wit my regular doctor in 10days. BTW, My diet also includes foods high in potassium. Do potassium pills work quickly?
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Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (-4 hours later)
Brief Answer: You don't need to worry about this Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this rapid heart rate and the low potassium levels that were detected. I understand your worries about the drug interactions and th possibility of high potassium levels. This would simply be a far fetched possibility within 10days. You do not really need to get too worried about the potassium supplementation so long as you are taking this by mouth. The body normally retains just enough to meet its needs and not go into excesses. You would need to take this over a long time and also have a problem with the system that regulates the blood potassium levels to get into higher that normal blood levels. Potassium tablets would not cause any problem to you before you meet your doctor in 10days. If your diet alone was enough to maintain your potassium levels, you would not have had these levels. I strongly believe you need this supplement irrespective of the diet you have been on. While lorsatan can cause an increased in potassium levels, HCTZ causes the body to loose potassium. It is a more complex process than it seems. In all, you would be fine within 10days. There is no reason to get afraid and bothered by this. I hope this addresses your query fully. Feel free to ask for clarifications and more information if need be. I wish you well. Dr. Ditah, MD.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Chobufo Ditah

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6315 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Rapid Heart Rate And The Low Potassium Levels

Brief Answer: You don't need to worry about this Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this rapid heart rate and the low potassium levels that were detected. I understand your worries about the drug interactions and th possibility of high potassium levels. This would simply be a far fetched possibility within 10days. You do not really need to get too worried about the potassium supplementation so long as you are taking this by mouth. The body normally retains just enough to meet its needs and not go into excesses. You would need to take this over a long time and also have a problem with the system that regulates the blood potassium levels to get into higher that normal blood levels. Potassium tablets would not cause any problem to you before you meet your doctor in 10days. If your diet alone was enough to maintain your potassium levels, you would not have had these levels. I strongly believe you need this supplement irrespective of the diet you have been on. While lorsatan can cause an increased in potassium levels, HCTZ causes the body to loose potassium. It is a more complex process than it seems. In all, you would be fine within 10days. There is no reason to get afraid and bothered by this. I hope this addresses your query fully. Feel free to ask for clarifications and more information if need be. I wish you well. Dr. Ditah, MD.