Drug Induced Hypokalaemia

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Listed below are some drugs that may cause hypokalaemia (serum potassium concentration below 3.5 mmol/L)

  • Laxatives and enemas (excessive use)
  • Loop diuretics: furosemide, bumetanide and torasemide
  • Thiazide diuretics and thiazide-like diuretics e.g. bendroflumethiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, chlortalidone, metolozone, xipamide
  • Beta 2 agonists e.g. salbutamol, terbutaline, salmeterol, formoterol, indacterol, olodaterol
  • Xanthines: aminophylline and theophylline
  • High dose penicillin
  • Gentamicin
  • Amphotericin B
  • Echinocandin antifungals: caspofungin, micafungin and anidulafungin
  • High dose insulin
  • Corticosteroids e.g. beclometasone, betamethasone, budesonide, deflazacort, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone
  • Cisplatin
  • Sodium bicarbonate
  • Parecoxib
  • Verapamil (in overdose)

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